On Taking More
Time to Play...

By Holly McKeen

Last month, a “Pottery Pro-D” tour took me away from the demands
of busy studio life in Chilliwack to North Carolina for the opportunity
to study at Tom Turner’s studio in Mars Hill. Meeting a friend from
Connecticut in Asheville, we took in some North Carolinan folk
pottery, before driving up to Tom's to spend three days talking pots
and studying his extensive museum-calibre collection, as well as
playing with his amazing porcelain. Tom is a masterful teacher with
a collector's vast knowledge of pots and their makers. He challenged
us to question our sources and allow our personality and spirit to add
depth and individuality to our pots. He pushed us to know our intent

each time we sat at the wheel, and to seek the finest level of detail and
finish on each aspect of making. His technical expertise, knowledge

Tom Turner and his amazing porcelain pots.

and skill in working with porcelain were top-notch. He left us inspired,

iser fc ti ith him, and with he der... Hi just
ee TOE OnE ETE WIEN its aN WY en £0 pone ere ave Jus for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference, where we walked for

few of the themes and thoughts Tom left ith:
stew Oe ENS ong Om miles visiting many galleries and exhibits, as well as taking in lectures,

* Passion, curiosity, observation and application lead to success : . : :
displays and panel discussions. There is always so much to see at

NCECA, and Philly did not disappoint. This time, there seemed to

me to be more galleries with great pots, lots of variety and some very

* Shape is the outside; form is what's inside — a visual internal
pressure

* You can’t trim what you haven't thrown

+ Irs always good to know what you don't know. fine work to inspire. Of course my suitcase filled up with cool products

Do check out tomturnerporcelain.com for more information and excellent deals found in the Manufacturer/Supplier Exhibit Hall.

on Tom's School of Art Pottery, where he offers small group sessions Our next stop was New York City where we headed for Times

for all levels of potters. A 40-year potter friend, who sells his work .
through the very best galleries, had been at Continued on Page / MOMA

Tom's for a few days of throwing, just prior to

our arrival. Tom has much to offer, whether to

an early potter or a long-in-the-tooth pro; all

cme well spent Gveenbaxn’s ca: is
On leaving North Carolina, my friend and . 4
I flew north to Philadelphia to spend a few YUOW available oniine.

days at the National Council on Education

www.geeenbarn.com

9548 192 Street, Tuesday-Friday 9-5

Surrey, B.C. VAN 3R9 IC C |\ barn Saturday 9-1

Phone: 604.888.3411 Closed Long Weekends
Fax: 604.888.4247 POTTERS SUPPLY LTD. greenbarmn@telus.net

7 — orth
a ' ia la eee

Holly enjoying the sights in the Big Apple.

COLUMBIA Potters Guild of BC Newsletter « June 2010 6