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POTTERS
GUILD
of BRITISH

COLUMBIA
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President’s Message

I have been watching as small flocks of geese form that oh so
familiar shape that heralds another Canadian turn of season. It
was a lovely summer but the shorter days make the coming of fall
undeniable.

So many of us I am sure, are getting ready for (dare I say it) the
Christmas market season. If you are reading this in October, thank
you for renewing your membership and hopefully the rest will
quickly follow suit in this month (along with lots of new members
I hope).

Fall signals that time on the board when we begin to plan for the
events for next year. The membership renewal numbers lets us know
how much money we have available for the year. The exhibition
committee met recently and we have plans for a member show for
September 2014 tentatively called “Put a Bird on It”. So now is the
time to start with whatever feathered brained ideas you might have

for creating bird images on whatever. We should have the details to
the members in the new year.

The PGBC Board has returned to our traditional month for the
Annual General Meeting in February and we are always looking for
a few good people who are interested in shaping the future of this
organization by joining the board of directors. New members bring
fresh views and skills that help our organization remain vibrant and
meaningful to its members.

If you are thinking about volunteering why not consider joining
this active, dedicated team. Or if you know someone who might be
a good candidate, please contact me or any other board member
for more information (contact info is on the back page of the
newsletter).

—Denise Jeffrey

Gallery & Exhibition News By Laura Carey

Staff Changes

In the month of October we are fortunate to welcome back our
former gallery assistant Janine Grant, who spent the summer in
France. Janine’s enthusiasm for ceramics as a maker and collector is a
huge asset to the gallery, and we are so happy to have her back! Janine

will be working on Sunday mornings and is eager to serve you.

October Exhibition:

Collector David Carlin

Vancouver Collects: Exposed!

Pieces from the Private Collection of David R. Carlin

Oct. 3 to Nov. 4. Opening Reception: Thursday, Oct. 3, 5 to 7 p.m.

Where does one even begin to explain the David Carlin experience?

Dave Carlin is one of the gallery's long time supporters and a major
ceramics collector who is launching our new exhibitions endeavour
to show works from private collections throughout Vancouver. Who
better to start with than Dave? He has been a collector of ceramics
for over 20 years, and has been focused on B.C. ceramics for the last
seven years. If you have the pleasure of meeting Dave in person, you
may find yourself remarking on how extremely interesting and lovely
he is. However, there is an encyclopedic knowledge of B.C. potters
and their work looming behind that pretty face. In fact, Dave is the
person who has single-handedly identified a number of mystery pots
from photographs submitted by guild members and customers of the
gallery.

Hence, the foundation of this curious show. The title is Exposed’,
focusing on illuminating vintage works by potters who are not heavily
collected, despite being of fantastic quality. There are some names and
work we all know, such as Axel Ehbring (or Ebring, depending on the
source) whose spur-fired work is so unusual and colourful it will blow
your hair back.

Also of note is a piece by Stan Clarke (the originator of Greenbarn),
whose glaze is so energetic and full of movement that the piece seems
like it is vibrating.

A Gordon Thorlaksson piece from his series of two-piece works
with ceramic bases that emulate rosewood will be on display, and the

Axel Ehbring, who arrived here 90 years ago, is believed to be B.C.’s
first potter. Photo courtesy of Vernon Museum and Archives.

really remarkable thing is that the two pieces actually belong together!
Apparently the bases and the pots are all numbered to match but, as
is the case with things that have detachable parts, the bases are often
separated from the pots. Luckily, Dave had the keen eye to notice a
box of a dozen Thorlaksson bases in a second hand store, but that is
another story.

Another recognizable name is Avery Huyghe, who has created a set of
two of the most delicately carved lidded keepsake jars I have ever seen.
I may spend the opening night trying to smuggle some suspiciously
Huyghe jar-shaped lumps out of the gallery under my dress.

The names you may not know are attached to equally enticing
works. One of the most playful pieces in Dave’s collection belongs
to Sue Arundel, who made a casserole dish in the form of a stylized
sea urchin. Arundel executed the piece with just enough restraint
to keep it fun yet technically fascinating in design. I find I am very
drawn to work that blurs the lines between function and sculpture,

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