page 6
Guil

As the end of 1997 is rapidly approaching
and we all look forward to the new year
with renewed optimism, it seems fitting 0
assess what's happened over the Last twelve
months for the Pocters’ Guild of British
Columbia and what we have to look
forward te in the coming year.

ew

One of the many accomplishments was the
transigion to the new point-of-sale system in
the Gallery and the accompanying financial
package used for the entire Guild operation.
The length of this project has finally paid
off with more accurate and cirnely
production of in-house financial statements
and the associated reduction in monthly
hook keeping expenditures,

Ocher accomplishments are our constantly
improving newsletter, in both format and
content, thanks to the hard work of Karen
Opas. In the new year, the newsletter
committee will become more active and
help our editar develop content, ideas and
encourage new advertisers to enhance our
monthly publication. Made of Clay '97 hit
upon a new format and formula which
seemed to work very well for everyone
involved. The same system will be puc in
place for the fifth annual sale, May 1 - a
1998. The Guild hosted cwo very successful
fundraising events this year -Loctery for
Pottery, and From che Oven to the Kiln, a
fundraising dinner event. Loctery for
Pottery raised money cowards the
production of che Petters’ Guild
publication, Made of Clay - the Ceramics of
British Columbia, and che fundraising dinner
raised funds towards che reestablishment of
the Potters’ Guild scholarship fund. In
addition, our past-president Linda Doherty,
singlehandlely put of a mini-fundraiser for a
new printer for che office; this was so
successful chat we were able to get a new
office chair, a new stool for the Gallery, and
some new software too! And, several
members of the board worked diligently all
year to further the production of our
publication, with all pertinent parts gaing to
the book designer at the end of the year!
Allin all, a pretry busy year here at the
Potters’ Guild of BC!

But, we still have lots co look forward to!
The book should be published in the spring
of 98 with the 2nd annual Lottery for
Pottery (March 27/98) geared to raise some
of the monies still required. The North-
West Ceramics Foundation has become

more visible in this past year, and plans to
host Lottery for Poceery and ocher
fundraisers in the future. including a 2md
annual fundraising dinner co-hosted with
che Culinary Arts Insticute next fall. The
Guild will continue its discussions with
Granville Island Management in regards to
the possibilities of a change in location for
our operation - don't hold your breath
though, this may take some time! In the
meantime, the physical appearance of the
Gallery needs a bir of a face-lift again, after
3 years since the last renovations! Some
minor work will be done over the next few
months, with the idea thar it can be
moved into a new space if that should be
required. The Guild will continue to
pursue an increased number af social
activities planned for its membership -
don’t forget Keith Rice-Jones’ slide show
planned for January 28th, There are
already three workshops in the planning
stages for ‘98 (Greg Payee - February 21-
22, Svend Bayer - March 7-3, and Yasuo
Terada for July). With a full line-up for
the year ahead, it seems only appropriate
co extend thank yous for the ongoing
support of our renewing members, and a
hearty welcome to the Guild's new
members. Your ideas and suggestions are
always welcome (as are your drop-in visits
down here on Granville Island)! You are
the Guild, and what we do and plan is for
you, so please keep in touch and let us
know how we are doing.

Gallery News

The Christmas season did mot turn our co
be as busy as hoped for, with sales down
about 8% from lase December, even
though the Gallery was very well stocked
by both the regular Gallery artists and also
by those Guild members who brought in
work for Stems, Stems & Servers. It looks
like the year will finish with toval sales up
by only 1% over Last year. Disappointing,
bur at least we still showed marginal
growth. Many thanks co the volunteers
whe came in to help wrap and box during
the nwo weeks before Christmas. Your
help was mest appreciated (and it's nice
for the Gallery staff to get to know you and
vice versa!). Qur volunteers this year
were: June MacDonald, Laura var der
Linde, Gillian McMillan, Debra Sloan,
Rona Hatherall, Janet Turpin, Jamie
Gubbins, Karen Opas, Sue Griese and
Martha Melling. I'd also like to thank the
Gallery staff; Julia Maitka, Christina Loch,

A\aron Nelson, Monica Beisson-Arce and
Sandra Ferguson for all chear hard work
aind long hours -they are a wonderful group

Of people!

Throughout January, the Gallery will once
again hold its Beat the Post-Holiday Blues
Sale with 10% discount offered on all
work except books and magazines. [f any
Gallery artists would like to be exempt
from this sale (the Gallery absorbs the
10% discount, so you still receive your
normal commission), please call the
Gallery as soon as possible.

In February, Judy Weeden from Salt
Spring [sland will be opening her exhibir
“About Journeys". Based on aspects of
Judy's life journey, the work utilizes Judy's
signature style of combirug simple lines
and meticulous decoration with slips and
carved designs. Be sure to drop in before
February 26th. This year's exhibit for
March will be another open Guild
Membership show with the cheme of vates
and flower pots for Spring. Please call
Jane at che Gallery if you are interested in
participating; work should armve by
February 26th. For April's exhibir, a
vacancy created by an unexpected change
in our Studio 5 tenant, has kindly been
filled on short notice by Kathryn Youngs.
The feature-artist-of-the-month spaces
are still available for che spring and fall of
1998, so please call if you are interested in
showing and selling your non-juried work
for a month in the Gallery, Spaces are
filled on a first come, first served basis.

As | am currently on my post-Christmas
holiday, and emailing this column into
Karen for inclusion in the January
newsletter, [ think | have covered
everything I needed to say! if moc, you'll
be getting an even longer column next
month.

Jane Matthews

Gallery Exhibit Openings:

Saturday Jan. 31, 2 - 4 pm, Opening for
Judy Weeden’s “About Joumeys”

Feb. 28 - March 26: Members Show of
Vases and Flower Pots for Spring,

“March 28, 2 - 4 pm, Opening for Kathryn
Youngs” exhibition,