Corner Chair

[ would like co use chis monelt’s column co
address some of the points raised by Les
Crimp in his letter to the editor (see pare
4). It has been felt thar one of the valuable
elements of past Potters Guild activities
thar has heen missing is the social aspect of
the group. This is in Vancouver, where
half or move of our membership live and
work, and are not generally members of one
of the focalized guilds like the Arrowsmith,
Cariboo or Fraser Valley Guilds. It was also
fele chat che perceived sense of alienation
berween directors and members might be
dispelled through reestablishing a social
community where informal discusssan of
Cruild issues might emerge. The need to
wd some kind of social component to our
activities became desirable. To that end we
have initiated a series of “events” chat are
intended to be more social than
educational. Due co the inspired
organization of Ronda Green, these events
have been very successful and we will
continue them on a regular basis.

[c was not our intention to be exclusive in
any way. They are, on che conerary,
intended to be open to all who are
interested. There has also been a secondary
benefit of increasing guild membership.

In looking around the province, | have
noticed that the smaller guilds and clubs
seem to serve the social function well, as
their whole membership can become
involved in workshops, exhibitions, studios,
etc. This, ] chink, is the true value of local
orgarizarions as oppesed co an umbrella

group.

‘The Potters Guild of BC wears ewo hars in
its attempt to serve its mandate and the
ceramic community of BC. One is an
umbrella arts organization promoting studio
ceramics to as wide an audience as possible
through publications, education, exhibiciors
and scholarship. The other hat is as a guild
serving the needs of its members in the clay
community, Boch of these efforts are
limited only by time, funding and the
creative energy of those involved. Because
of these limitations, it is difficule for us in
Vancouver to organize social events outside
the lower mainland. Whar can be done is
to use the newsletter as a very effective
method of communication among members
in any given area to promote and report on
any guild activities.

Bor instance, the Arrowsmith Guild
(which is a very active group) could
organize an event central to mest island
peters. As far as creating regional
chapters of the Potcers’ guild, | think most
areas are well served by cheir lecal guilds
and clubs, and the limited time and
energy of volunteer effort would be more
efficiencly used organizing events, rather
than another onganization with its
attendant bureaucracy. We would be
very happy to provide whatever help we
can in creating other, local events.

Ron Vallis

North-West Ceramics
Foundation

Many thanks to all those groups and
individuals who donated plates and time
to this event. A splendid dinner was
cooked by Team Canada, which included
kangaroo, guinea fowl and salmon with
three different table wines to suit the
courses. The dessert was served on the
donaced plates, which delighted che
participants and caused much discussion
and bargaining between tables. ‘The final
financial accounting is not yet available,
but we anticipate doing a lithe becter than
last year. Punds from the silent aucaon
will be donated to the Guild to help
defray the casts of “Made of Clay; che
Ceramics of BC". Revenue from the
ticker sales will be added to the Porters’
Guild Scholarship and Education Fund.
The response to the plate making
workshop was so enthusiastic thar the
Foundation received many more plates
than needed. Those net used during the
dinner have been donated to the Gallery
of BC Ceramics with the suggestion that
they be used to raise funds for che
upcoming Gallery renovations.

Maureen Wright Scholarship:
October 10th was the anniversary of
Maureen Wright's death. The

Page 3

Foundacior sill holds funds in her
memory which were donated by family
and friends, The Maureen Wrighe
Scholarship is awarded t© help members
eaver the costs of attending workshops
and conferences on ceramics. See che

guidelines below:

Eligibility:

- must be a member of the BCPG

- Board members and paid staff of the
BCPG or NWCF are nor eligible,

- previous winners are not eligible.

Jury:
- one member of che NWYCF and one
member of the BCPG

Criteria:
- clarity of intent and realistic budger

Applications:

* State type of program you wish to
attend

* State estimated cost

® Describe how event will help your work
* All applications are confidential

* Applications may be made at any time

All applications should be addressed to:
The North-West Ceramics Foundation
Scholarship Programs

1359 Cartwright $c. (Granville Island)
Vancouver, BC

V6H 3RT7

The board will be meeting in December
ta consider mew fund-raising initiatives,
since the consensus at the last meeting
was chat Lorery for Poctery should be
held once every two years.

Tam Irving

Urgent Fundraising Needed!

A third “Too Good For the Shard
Pile Sale” has been scheduled for
Saturday, November 7th, at the Gallery of
BC Ceramics on Granville Island.

Please bring your items that you can't
quite chrow away bur don't wish co sell
either! (donations accepted Nov 2 - 6th)

We will also be selling the extra plates
from the fundraising dinner, donaced to
the Gallery from the North-West
Ceramics Foundation to raise funds for
the renovation!