NORTH-WEST CERAMICS FOUNDATION

Seven applications were received for the Jumpstart Scholarship and two for the Potters Guild of BC Education and Scholarship, Announcement ofthe awards will be maxée at the Guild's Annual Gen- eral Meeting on April 30. Laurie Rolland received a Maureen Weight Scholarship to help defray the costs of attending the NUCLEC.A. conference in Columbus, Ohio, She also received a purchase award from the Geil Kiln Company for her piece titled Ceramic Bargue, which was included in an exhibition sponsored by the Ceramic Monthly and running concurrently with the conference, Congratulations Laurie!

The Foundation is considering a partner- ship wath the Adult Learning Develop- ment Association (ALDA), a non-profit charitable organization supporting adults with learning disabilities. The two organi- zations met Apnil 25 to discuss collabora- tonon the next fundraiser From the Oven and Kiln.

Meanwhile a number of groups have al- ready volunteered to participate in plate making workshops for the upcoming event

SALES

With one week remaining in April, Gal- lery sales are at 75% of the target, which is within | % of last year’s total for the month. If the target is achieved, the total to dare will be approximately 2%, or $725 less than last year at the same time.

SEMI-ANNUAL NON-JURIED MEMBERS EXHIBITIONS

During the month of April, the Gallery held the Tea Party, the first of two semi- annual non-juried exhibitions for the year, Tt has not been as successful as intended because very few members contributed works. Consequently | encourage you to discuss with the Board and me what might be the best direction for the future.

Originally these exhibitions were intended to give Gallery exposure to all members. It was also to help counteract a historical belief that the Gallery is exclusive rather than inclusive. As a result the Gallery developed a policy to commit two months per year (spring and fall/winter) to host a

2

From the Oven and Kiln. They are the Richmond Potters Club, the Delta Pot- ters’s Association, the Eagle Harbour Com- munity Centre and Capilano College, Par- ticipants in these free workshops are asked to come with at least four bisque-fired plates that they will glaze and decorate with provided maternal and using tech- niques demonstrated by a visiting imstruc- tor, In exchange, three of the fired plates are donated to the Foundation. The plates are used for presenting the dessert at the end of the gourmet dinner cooked by gold medal chefs at the Delta Pacific Hotel. Ticket holders are entitled to take the plates home. This is a wonderful way to promote Ceramics, Organize instructive workshops and raise funds for scholarships and other educational initiatives, We are still look- ing for other volunteer groups to partici- pate. Call me for more information, 604- 921-6705,

Stay tuned for further details in the next newsletter.

Tam Irving

President

GALLERY NEWS

non-juried exhibit based on a theme and open to all members of the Guild, Yet for the past few years, the exhibits have been utilized by only a handful of members, We do thank those members for their interest and supper.

This situation is important to discuss be- cause itrelates tothe Gallery's bottom line that in turn directly affects the entire or- ganization. If these exhibits are not attract- ing participation from more than a handful of members and if they are not adding to the Guild's fiscal health, perhaps the Gal- lery should do something else. Should it host an exhibit once a year sirnilar to the juried exhibits at other venues such as last year’s Clay ‘94 at the Vancouver Commu- nity Arts Council and ‘96's Offthe Wall at the Canadian Craft Museum? What are your ideas? We would definitely like to hear from you. As you think about this, it is important to remember the Gallery's mandate. It is to promete excellence in ceramics both to educate the general pub- lic and to encourage potters to excel. The intent is to Support potters and help therm avoid the vicious cycle of producing pots

Coming Undone new work by

TESSA WINDT May 8 - June 3, 1999

meet the arrist ar the opening Saturday, May & 15:00-17;00

Gallery of BC Ceramics 1359 Cartwright Street Granville Island open daily 10:30-17:30

that are merely saleable, Please call me at the Guild office or contact one of the Directors with your ideas.

Let's make 2000 a good year to institute

changes to the Gallery policy. With the renovations completed, the new exhibit space will be a wonderful, high-end gal- lery space to showcase our members.

EXHIBITIONS

The Tea Party exhibition concludes May 5, followed by new work by Tessa Wind titled Coming Undone, Tessa’s work ts the result of her studies at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, made possible when she won the Jumpstart Scholarship last year. Please see her article on the next page. The opening reception for Tessa is on Saturday, May 8th from 15:00+17:00 (3-5 p.m.). Coming Undone finishes June 3 and is followed with works by Gordon Hutchens, opening on Saturday, June §.

Please see GALLERY NEWS page 4

May 1999