The following is an an article from the 25th Anniversary of the Potters Guild of BC Retrospect Ceramics 40 publication. is nies OF Sh ROTEL OF ac RETROSPECT CERAMICS 80 From the Beginning In the fall of 1954, a group of BC potters gathered together to discuss the idea of forming a guild. The instigator of these was Olea Davis, an internationally known BC potter and sculptor, Her friend and fellow potter, Hilda Ross, encouraged and worked with Olea. Olea and Hilda had recognized the need for a society in which those in the ceramic arts coukd work to- gether to promote the development of their craft. The Potters Guild of BC was formed, and held its first official meeting in Febru- ary, 1955, at which elections were held, Olea Davis became the first president; Stan Clarke, Vice-President; Avery Huyghe, Sccretary; Marianne McRae, Treasurer. The mew guild decided that their aims would be: to improve the avail- ability of equipment, materials and clays in BC; ta promote excellence, to foster artistic and educational activities within the society, and within the community, David Lambert, Stan and Jean Clarke, and Ruth Meechan all held executive positions at various times, and were instramental in the carly years in that they persistently searched out materials and equipment and July/August 2003 The Potters Guild of BC A Look Back became suppliers. Potters in BC finally had “tools of their trade” locally available, In the formation ofa guild, knowledge and experience were more easily pooled and shared, and in their active dove toward growth, the guild members began orgamz- ing many educational activities, both in Vancouver and in the smaller communi- ties. They sponsored workshops and often collaborated with the L_B.C. ceramic de- partment or the Vancouver School of Art to boing well known potters to town to teach extended workshops and summer classes. As the Guild executives encour- aged the growing interest, put on sales and exhibitions, the impetus spread, and some: pottery schools (for instance, the Rass- Huyghe School of Pottery) opened their doors. Education in ceramics became more: attuinable, Gradually BC potters began exhibiting nationally, then internationally. More galleries began displaying ceramic work, and the public was becoming aware of the field of ceramics in general, and of its own BC potters in particular. For the past 13 years, the Guild has organ- ized its Hycroft Sale, an annual November event that is popular with the pottery- buying public; is the Guild's main fund- raiser; and is a successful sales outlet for many BC potters. Another annual event is the ceramics Exhibition. Alternately invitational and juried shows, these exhi- bitions help to encourage the public's awareness of excellence, and are a show- case for the work of some of BC's fore- most potters, A later development has been the Trav- elling Workshop programme which has been very successful. The intent of this programme is to extend the opportunni- ties for growth in our craft to the outly- ing districts, where pottery instruction is not as easily available as it is in the larger cities. So... the discussions of the original Guild members did begin a viable So0- ciety. Through the efforts of countless volunteers over the past 25 years, many of the original needs have been met. (It would be grand to have space here for a long. complete list of names!) Al- Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter though in 1980 the immediate needs may have changed, the bastc, long-term aims of the Potters’ Guild of BC remain the same. To further those aims, a new Grants pro- gramme was set up in 1977. Under the guidance of President Jean Fahri, the programme is arranged to consist of 8 Olea Davis Incentive Awards, and & David Lam- bert Incentive Awards. These are presented each spring to serious ceramics students in & BC colleges, As well as these, one award is given cach year to a Guild member who has made a significant contribution to the growth and development of ceramics in BC. This award ts called the “Olea Davis Special Award” in honour of a fine potter and teacher, the founder of the Potters Guild of BC. As we celebrate this anniversary and hook back over the past 25 yours, we can hope that the next 25 years may be as full of activity and growth. Barbara Barron Vice-president Potters Guild of BC Sharon Matsubara ls the Bourd member who will be organizing the Fiftieth Anni- versary activities. Share your ideas by contacting her at O04.688. 2245 or . Ho. 28 Iscorr. [774 WESTERN POTTER 15