* * *

Some time last month I found myself in West Vancou-
ver renting scaffolding to use in helping mount a large
mural 10 or 12 feet up a wall in a customer's home.
After arrangements were made I wandered down the

street to visit The Downstairs Gallery, which is near
14th and Marine.

Many years ago I had, from my studio in the Oka-
nagan, sold pots to Ozzie and Renée Ristan. They had
bought the Gallery from the original owners. Ozele
has, unfortunately, passed away. So I was looking
forward to saying hello to Renée and over the
work she's carrying — only to discover that I had come
ona day the shop was closed. However, I found that
a largish room at the back has been tumed overtothe
workof Wayne Ngan of Hornby Island, and 1 could look
through the window at the traditional shapes he has
thrown and decorated with such vigor and success for
20 years and more. To my surprise there were also a
number of large wood-fired sculptures. These were
challenging pieces — difficult to build, to handle and
to fire, As I walked away it occurred to me that we are
inthe presence of a good potter and we can be grateful
in B.C. that so many women and men have given and
are giving such dedication to clay.

It also occurred to me that we potters can thank the
shopkeepers — like the Ristans — who have carried
our work over the years. My favourite was Mrs.
Clarke. She had the shop on Georgia Street at Stanley
Park called The Gallery of B.C.Arts. Tt was there I
bought my first Heinz Laffin teapot in the early 1960s.
She provided an outlet to many a struggling potter,
Entering her shop was not without its complex emo-
tional drama. It was usually obvious that she had
hundreds, if mot thousands, of clay pieces all over
everything. You were instantly aware that your ship-
ment —worth as much as $350.00 — wasn't really
meeded. As likely as not you would meet Mr. Clarke
first. He was a good man who seemed acutely aware
ofthe over-production of potteryin B.C. His dour look
— mixed with the slight curve in his eyebrow which
represented fading hope in stemming the tidal wave of
pots in his experience — caused one's heart to sink,
But before despair prevailed, Mrs. Clarke would
approach, usually smiling, and ask what you had for
her. And she usually took the whole lot. So you leapt
back into the VW van with renewed hope.

When you're next in West Van., stop by the Down-
stairs Gallery to see the pots and when you next have
a glass of wine in your paw, give a toast to Mrs. Clarke
and all the other shopkeepers who have helped give us
the freedom to work with clay in such avariety of ways.

Bob Kingsmill

Pacific Western Ceramic Inc.

- Seattle Pottery Clays. A good selection is in stock and we offer
40% off a 23lb baa (limit | bag of each type of clay), e.g. Raku- one 25 Ib
bag ..f6.30 And mix & match to get your best quantity price break. Clay

price list available,

- We stock Medmar mettalics & lusters . Bell cones and Harrison Bell

glazes & underglazes

-June specials Seattle Pottery porcelain clays 50 to 500lbs at

S00lb quantity prices eg Kenzan 50lbs-$16.50. ...Harrison Bell
underglazes- 202 jars 40% off, eq req @$2.10 is £1.26 per. jar

*2-12111 86th Ave, Surrey BC

994-9955

Hours Mon-Fri 6:30 to 4:30; Saturdays 10 to 3 (closed Saturdays
of jong weekends}