Les Manning

“Throwing” or Wheel Pottery is the hobby of some, the career
of others. Those who spend long hours on the wheel throwing
large heavy clay often wind up with aches and pains. Some can
be very serious and lifelong. However, those of us who live with
the wheel, cannot live without it. So, what can we do to ease
these pains, prevent them and keep on throwing?

Les Manning has been studying "Wheel Ergonomics” for years.
A successful international ceramic artist and past director of the
Banff Center for the Arts, Les is a brilliant instructor with excel-
lent knowledge of wheel throwing. The more he taught, the
more he realised that people were sitting at the wheel for such
long periods of time in the wrong position, that they were full
of aches and pains. Many had stopped. throwing and some rec-
onciled to throwing much smaller amounts of clay. He began
with the innovative idea of photocopying people's hands, palm
down. He could then analyze what type of hand they had, what
parts of the hand were used in the centering process and manip-
ulation of the clay. He has famously photocopied student's
hands all around the world now.

He then followed the hands up to the body and established
optimum distances and angles for the chair and wheel to ensure
the best use of the back and other major muscle groups. At
first, people are tottering around and tripping over the short
2X4's and bricks used to prop up wheels and chairs. But after a
while, potters can't believe how much more comfortable they
are and how much easier it is to center clay of all sizes. There
are several success stories where people can actually throw with
serious back injuries.

He integrates the ergonomics with detailed throwing tech-
niques. With an uncanny ability to teach people how to bring
up clay and add a personal signature to their work, he has

become a sought after mentor and teacher. He is currently
Artistic Director of the Medalta Artist in Residence program
and also instructs an amazing 8 day program, Aesthetics of
Ceramic Form at MISSA (Metchosin International Summer
School of the Arts) on Vancouver Island every summer.
"Throwing Pains” is an excellent prep course to the longer, more
creative program in June at MISSA.

Les's instruction is best received in an immersion, intensive
style. So, at Bad Dog Arts, we have designed a three day pro-
gram with a small enrollment (under ten) to work in a comfort-
able, personal environment. Participants are encouraged. to con-
tinue working after the course hours on their dedicated wheel
until ten at night. We include a dinner and slide show on the
Saturday night and, of course, some folks bring wine too. So,
the idea is to completely immerse yourself in “clay” for three
whole days. Les gives specialized one-on-one instruction, so all
levels are welcome. Everyone can move forward at their own
pace.

Bad Dog Arts is a multi-discipline working art studio. There
are several artists in residence and some involved on a part-time
basis. Together we run a small open warehouse with kilns,
wheels, a printmaker and open working space. We facilitate
artist-controlled art exhibitions and studio sales throughout the
year in addition to sporadic workshops in all areas. This is an
environment where there are no rules and artists are encouraged
to push the envelope and explore creativity in a safe supportive
place. Of course we party a lot too.

Shannon Barker

For more information, see ad on page 9.
Photos courtesy Les Manning

“Devonian Thrust”, stoneware and porcelain, 22 x 23 x 23cm

November! December 2004

“Double Morain" 22x19¢em

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter 7