JULIA GALLOWAY WORKSHOP March 27 « 28,1999

Casponsored by the Potters Guild of BC, Fraser Valley Potters Guild and the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

Julia began her presentation with a quick introduction of her background, noting that coming from a family of twelve she had absolutely no fear of crowds. This was readily apparent in her interaction with workshop participants and her ability te freely communicate ideas,while making pots,

Julia first started working in clay in high school, cutting classes to spend extra time in Whe pottery area. Eventually she contin- ved her education at Alfred University, Massachusetts College of Art, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the Univer- sity of Colorado. She currently is in resi- dence atthe Archie Bray Foundation in Montana.

As Julia began throwing the first of two haluster shaped jugs, using ber left hand in the “claw” grip, she commented that her past expertence as a waitress had provided skills directly related to pottery including efficiency of movement, memory of faces and handling money. While throwing jugs, topics ranged from her stay at Alfred Unt- versity to her visit to Japan and tools she uses. Easily throwing the jugs that were then loosely ribbed, she plucked thern from the wheelhead to a waiting board, com- menting that she fires her work once a month in a soda kiln to cone six. Julia continued by throwing a cream and sugar, two small ewers (to be joined later), a sauce jug and plate, a salt and pepper set and a couple of mugs. This was followed by a selection of slides of her work as well as shots of buildings or items that have inspired her by their sense of design.

After lunch, Julia began to finish off the morning's work by using a sponge inside the jugs pushing out vertical gourd-like grooves from top to hattorm, One of these “push-outs” was teased together in the upper section until it formed a fine nb which she then cut off and smoothed. reinforcing the inside with a small coil of clay, giving the jug shape a nice swing. Later the handle would be placed here providing an unique negative space. Julia stressed her interest in the play of negative spaces and how they enhance form. Giv- ing the jugs a squeeze jn the waist to oval their shape, they were put aside temporar- ily to stiffen. The sugar bow! mouth was squared in her hands and a small slab of clay was draped into the flange and the excess cut away. A corresponding slab was then placed on top after Julia had first placed a paper wrapped ball of clay within

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which when fired, would make the pillow shaped lida functional rattle. A small hole would be picreed in the center of the lid and a small knob made from a rolled slab of clay glued in place post-firing,

The sauceboot pug was given similar gourd- like push-outs and the lip gently tweaked to compliment the outward shape. The saucebout’s plate was also quickly ma- nipulated to reflect the sauceboat. The mugs were cach given one vertical “push- out” that was squeezed together and then cut off for future handles applecation.

Commenting on pieces that attract her, Julia commented “The most important things are simple and complicated at the same time; [can just look at them and then dive in.”

After quickly cutting and softening the edges, rubbing them between a folded piece of newspaper, of the slab cut jug spouts, they were gently formed utilizing the work table edge and then loosely ap- plied to the jugs. Prepulled handles were placed on jugs and mugs, the mini ewers were cut and rejoined as one unit (2 com- partments/ 2 spouts) with a corresponding single hid to unify the form, and the double

compartment single unit salt and pepper container were pul together.

On the second day, Julia decorated the green pots with brushed slip. Mishima (clay inlay) and incising. A second slide presentation introduced us to the Archie Bray Foundation complete with historical and contemporary shots as well as the work currently being done by recent resi- dents. Bisque fired pots were decorated with glazes and an underglaze pen. Julia stressed safety in the work place in regards to handling and firing materials of a toxic nature, including lusters, manganese and banum. While continually answering ques- tions or offering up information and anec- dotes, Julia finished off the day with a slab built pierced tray for the set of jugs made earlier,

Incluctedt within the 30+ glaze recipes Julia handed out was this inclusion for a:

Cont 6 Porcelain Clay

Kona F4 10—s Tile 6 20 Nepi.Sye 10 Ball Clay LO EPK 30 =~ Flint 20

A special word of thanks to both Sharon Reay and Linda Doherty who ensured all ran smoothly on site atthe Shadbolt Centre during this presentation. Also thank you ta both Cathi Jefferson and Fredi Rahn for their participation in organizing thisevent. A final thanks to Julia for a lively and informative workshop.

Darrel Hancock

Hancock-Moore Pottery

JEANNIE QUINN

Slide Lecture and Workshop Thursday May 20 at 20:00 Saturday May 22 (020)-16-00 Kwantlen College, Surrey

Jeannie Qhinn, wie teaches at the univer- sity in Boulder, Colorado, gives a slide presentation on Thursday night and adem- onsimation workshop on Saturday. She dis- cusses und shows her unique and very useful technique in working with clay. In the workshop session, she demonstrates how tousecails smaller than the width of the Lit- tle finger, to create cups, tea~ pols, trays. She explains by ex- ample how to develop an idea, make paper cut outs and tem- plates toa keep the concept on track dunng the making process and how to proceed to bring the idea to completion. Slides and workshops at Kwantlen College, Ceramics Depart- ment (back lefi, southeast corner), 12666 72 Ave, Surrey. Registration and informa- tion: Fraser Valley Potters Guild: 604- 929-9175,

MEDALTA INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAM ‘99 Medicine Hat, Alberta

Join Robert Harrison May 31-June 12, Alan Lacovetsky June 14-27 and Shirley Rumer June 14-July 3. Provides unique interaction between artists and the sen- ously committed ceramists. Contact: Dan Taylor, tel: 403-527-1002.

METCHOSIN INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

July 5-16 Glaze &Colour Robin Hopper July 5-16 Throwing Don Sprague

July 5-9 Tiles Patrick Crabb

July 5-9 Ceramic Surface Design Randy Brodnax

July 10-12 Raku: Common Nails/Un- common Objects Bill Ray Mangharm July 10-12 Painterly Terra Cotta Pots Jan Edwards

July 12-16 Firing Techniques Randy Broinax

Metchosin International Summer Schoo! of the Arts, Lester B Pearson College of the Pacific; 690 Pearson College Drive,

Victoria BC Contact; Meira Mathison 250- 391-2470 or 1-800-667-3123