THE OLEA DAVIS SPECIAL AWARD

Olea Davis, a founding member and the first president of the Potters
Guild of B.C., died im April 1977. During her many years in B.C.

she worked unstintingly to promote the arts, her particular interest
being sculpture and pottery. A few months before her death she

was made an honorary member of the International Academy of Ceramics

in Zurich, Switzerland. Olea had shown her pottery in many exhibitions
in Europe as well as in North America. A brief biography of Olea

Davis was printed in the Western Potter, issue #35.

To honor her memory the Guild established an annual award which

is given to a student in ceramics in each of the regional colleges
in B.C. As well, the Guild presents an award each year to a person
who has madé an outstanding contribution in the field of pottery and
who has given freely of their time and expertise to the Guild. This
is known as the Olea Davis Special Award. At the September general
meeting this award was presented to Don Hutchinson. Don is a graduate
of the Vancouver School of Art, has been teaching for many years in
Vancouver: at the famous chicken house on Ash St., the Vancouver
School of Art and is presently head of the ceramic department at
Langara College.

He is an excellent teacher, highly regarded by his students. Don

has found time to work very capably in several positions on the Guild
executive as well as presenting a number of very informative programs
at general meetings. Don exemplifies the perfect recipient of this
award. Congratulations from all of us.

Response upon receiving the “Olea Davis Special Award"

Olea Davis is the person who started the B.C. Potter's Guild and
many people have worked to bring her dream into reality. The
Polbergs, Jean Fahrni, Georgina Hughes, Ruth Meecham, Dave Lambert,
Tam Irving and many more like those mentioned have built this Guild

into what it is to-day.

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