Gallery of BC Ceramics

The Gallery of BC Ceramics is a non-profit gallery and is owned and operated by the Potters Guild of British Columbia, a non-profit society dedicated to fostering excellence in ceramics. Only applicants who abide by these guidelines will be consid- ered for the jury process.

Jury Guidelines

The criteria for selection are originality, design, technical com- petency, presentation and suitability to venue.

The jury is drawn from diverse backgrounds including the Gallery manager, a Gallery assistant, potters from the communi- ty, an artist or crafts person from another discipline, a collector of ceramics and possibly a member of the Northwest Ceramic Foundation. There are normally 6 jurors to give a balanced per- spective.

Jury Submission

Only 10 new submissions will be considered at a time. In addi- tion, 5 artists that currently sell in the gallery and have devel- oped new work may jury in. To facilitate this process, we will ask for pre-registration by phone, email or letter directly to Gallery staff. Lists will be made on a first come first served basis. When the list is full a waitlist will be set up for the next jurying.

All applicants must be members of the Potters Guild of British Columbia in good standing (for 6 months previous). Membership is not refundable if work is not accepted. Work in the Gallery is sold on consignment only. Currently the artist receives 50% of the retail price. For more information, see the Gallery Policy.

Jury Dates: March 15 October 15

1359 Cartwright Street Vancouver, BC V6H 3R7 604.669.3606 galleryofbcceramics@bcpotters.com

How the Jury Works

In the first round points are awarded for: originality, design, technical competence/craftsmanship, suitability to venue, and presentation. All submissions are ranked individually by the jurors, without the name of the person visible (so no tags on each item with your name, please). In the second round, jurors read the artists’ written material, and discuss the work and their notes from the first round. Final decisions are made based on the points from the first round and the written material submit-

ted in the second round. Jury response letters are based on these observations by the jurors.

Jurors’ Definitions & Criteria

1. Originality (e.g. imaginative, unique, not blatantly deriva- tive, or appropriated)

2. Design (e.g. use of colour, texture, pattern, form, visual balance)

3. Technical competency (e.g. overall skill level, craftsman- ship, finishing, material handling)

4. Presentation a. Appropriate for retail sale (including price lists) b. Cohesive body of work c. Biographical information, artist statement, back-up materials, and professional presentation

5. Suitability to Venue:

The Gallery is a non-profit organization but must remain viable as a business. While some submissions may score highly in the previous four categories, this alone does not guarantee that it will be accepted to sell in the Gallery. We may occasionally have to limit some categories of ceramics due to market satura- tion.

A complete jury submission should include: 1. Six samples - which are of the same body of work. 2. Artist statement, biographical information, and retail prices. Delivery of submissions

Work should arrive at the Gallery no more than 5 days prior to the jury date, and be picked up within two weeks afterwards. Ceramics left at gallery past two weeks will be donated. Please call ahead before dropping off or picking up work, as a courtesy to gallery staff. Pack your work safely and deliver in a clearly labeled box. The Gallery of BC Ceramics accepts no responsibil- ity for work not collected. Due to limitations in time and staff, phone calls regarding the work cannot be entertained. Letters with the jury's decisions and comments will be mailed within one month of the jury.

1359 Cartwright Street Vancouver, BC V6H 3R7 604.669.3606 galleryofbcceramics@bcpotters.com

Brenda Beaudoin

In order to ensure ceramic drop offs are smooth and trouble

free, please remember:

1. Make scheduled appointment (3 days advance notice would be appreciated).

2. Submit a gallery Inventory Sheet with accurate codes & prices. (If you need inventory sheets and/or your accu- rate codes please notify gallery and we will be happy to mail or fax them to you asap).

3. Title inventory sheet; identify if ceramics are for the gallery (regular retail), exhibitions, mug wall, 50th

Instructions for Artists Dropping Off New Work At the Gallery

Anniversary Shelves or jury submission 4. Ceramics must have stickers with accurate codes & prices. 5. Membership dues up to date. For BC Potters Guild items outside gallery inventory but received at gallery: Please clearly identify items such as BC in the Box, membership, workshops, MOC, etc. Following these steps enables the gallery staff to serve and assist the

members of the BC Potters Guild to their full potential. Thank you kindly, Staff, Gallery of BC Ceramics

February 2005

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter Il