"THE WESTERN POTTER" NO, 10. October, 1967.

EDITORIAL

Once again the Guild is facing its annual challenge -
the collection, jurying, display, and sale of the 'Hycroft' pottery.

Not only is this sale profitable financially to both the Guild and its
members, but, in my opinion, another more permanent value is derived
from it. This display of handcrafted pottery is an opportunity for the
public to see good work - a chance for them to weigh its merits against
the many articles of poor design that line the shelves and counters of
our department stores and, regrettably, are too often found in our local
studio and gallery shops. Last year the patrons of our Hycroft sale
were well impressed, and many were excited by the quality of the Guild
craftsmanship. Why, I ask, should our exhibition and sale be confined
to a two-day stand once a year?

This summer, while visiting the Seattle Center, I looked through the
craft shop there. Here was a most attractive display of paintings,
graphics, weaving, sculpture and much pottery. It was almost devoid
of the gimmicky odds and ends (tho' quick sellers) that clutter up our
local shops. Obviously some fairly stiff jurying was being done, but
the end product was a pleasure.

Juried displays for commercial purposes have been successful else-
where. The Canadian Potters' Guild has a shop in Toronto. They work
hand-in-hand with city architects and have space available for individual
potters' exhibitions. A reading of their treasurer's report proves their
venture has become a profit-making one.

One of the most impressive examples of craftsmen grouping together
to display the best of their work to the public is the Den Permanente in
Denmark. This non-profit organization exhibits and sells the work of
about 350 Danish craftsmen and manufacturers. In Sweden, outdoor
sidewalk display cases inform the public of the achievements of their
craftsmen.