BOOK REVIEW Burrel, Pit and Saggar Firing: A Collection of Articles from Ceramics Monthly. Ed: Sumi von Dassow, Pub: The American Ceramic Society 2001, 148 pages, colour and B/W photos of works and works in progress. $25US ISBN: 1-57498-127-7 Ceramics Monthly has recently compiled a series of previously published articles into one comprehensive handbook entitled Barrel, Pit and Saggar Firing. The articles cover multiple aspects of this type of ceramic technology, including various aesthetic and philosophical approaches. This handbook 15 a ternfic reference book for anyone interested in primative firing. The book opens with a series of commonly asked questions about the process with earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. Following each question is a brief response referencing particular potters whose work is featured in the following pages. In the area of colour development potter Glenn Spangler discusses fabric paint soaked pine chips inpit Gring, Paul Soldner compares the colour results of low-fire salt fuming to high-fire wood firing, and others go off the map with acrylics, gold leaf and black latex in post- firing embellishment. In technological approaches to these finng methods, an apartment bound potter illus- trates pit firing with dung in a balcony barbecue; beach combers stack in seaweed, clamshells and seawater. Others share their success stores of burnishing with salt-laden ships, stenci] and masking techniques, and wrapping with copper wirng, Inthe myriad of methods there is a common thread - unrestrained experimentation. Any one of the articles gives the reader a starting point for their own experimentation in this no-hold-barred realm of ceramics. It is a collection that when viewed all together reminds us that the only limitatton in clay is in what we are willing te try. Rachelle Chinnery LETTERS Children and Ceramics in a New Book Lam trying to get the word out about an opportunity for children (ages 6-12 or ao) to have their handbuilt cerumic art fea- tured in a new book being published by Lark Books. The work of selected artists will be featured ina gallery. Artists will be credited in the book, featured in @ brief biography and receive a complimentary copy of the book, Our website is http: wane lorkbooks.com; it has the direct link with information about the book, If you have any interest in participating. please do so and share the imformation with others. Or if you can suggest others to comact (teachers) or e-mail discussion groups where [| might post a notice, please comact me. Thank you “= ' Veronika Gunter OYMAMO arts association j a gs presented by Bn BS Assistant Editor, Lark Books, 142 west hastings sreel vancouver be a. (Se 50 College St., Asheville NC USA 28801 opening night actaber § ; = th entertainment by SPIKE heel of cir’s northern wish 6 Tel: BIR253.0467; fax: B28 PAS PSR: e-mail: Potters Ginkd of Bish Columbia Newsketter CALL FOR ARTISTS Inspired by Gardens Mike Maslenki, CBC producer, is devel- oping asenes of documentaries on Artists” Gardens for the CBC. He is looking for artist(gardeners from across Canada whe find inspiration for thei work from their garden and/or anists who consider the garden to be an extension of their craft, He is looking for painters, sculptors, potters, ceramic artists, designers, artisans, per- formance artists, musicians, actors, danc- ers, and writers who are also keen garden- crs and feel an artistic conmection to their apices. Write Mike Maslenki, CBC Vancouver, FLO. Bos 4600, Vancouver, RC, VGB 4A2 or 604-662-6679 or fax G04.662-64 14, Ena! Writing Course Gives Arts Professionals an Advantage Antists and craftspersons often need to be advercater far then- selves and their work, Capilano College can help through a spc- Clalived course in communications ane the arts this fall, Communications 153 is a course in enhancing your ars career through your writing. You need to know how to write propexsals, and how to surm- Thurize your background in a resume, bio- graphical netes, and artist's statement, As well, you will develop written materials for an artistic project of choice. Who wold benefis from the course? Any working artist, crafisperson, musi- clan, photographer, film-maker, dancer, Or aebor, Running from September 7 to November 29, CMNS 153 meets Thursdays from 2:30 te 3:30 00 the Lynnmour campus of Capilano College, Registration and tuition cost about $160. For more information, contact CMNS Coordinator Crawford Kilian at 604.984.7585 or