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POTTERS
GUILD
of BRITISH
COLUMBIA

ET
NEWSLETTER

potters

January 2003

Volume 39 Number |

Creative Partnership

Artists, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Lougheed Mall
Collaborate to Create New Public Art

In June 2002, arelationship was formed between the
Lougheed Town Centre and the Shadbolt Centre for
the Arts (City of Burnaby). This mutually beneficial
arrangement had several aspects. It would mise arts
awareness in the community, provide opportunities
for artists and, al the same time, creale & unique and
lasting work of art within the mall itself. The first
project, and we anticipate there will be many, was a
250 square fom circular floor mosaic,

It was agreed that the Lougheed Town Centre would
provide much of the financial backing required,
while the Shadbolt Centre would use its staff, equip-
ment and resources to facilitate the project. Because
the timeline for completion (October 2002) was very
short, it was decided to approach specific ceramic
artists who were already associated with the Shadbolt
Centre and whose prior experience would help to
expedite the process, Shadbolt Ceramic Technicians
Linda Doherty and Jay MacLennan would handle all
of the technical aspects - from rolling slabs, to firing
and finally installation of the work. Shadbolt staff
Sharon Reay and Ruth Hoyem provided administra-

tive support and lent a hand wherever needed. The
final lineup of artists included John Cloutier,
Debra Sloan, Elora Penland, Keith Rice-Jones,
Celia Rice-Jomes.and Gillian McMillan. Although
the group was initially reluctant to take on a floor
massac, with it's specific requirements regarding
durability and texture, the mall wanted a tactile
piece which shoppers would walk over, and stop to
look at for a few moments before continuing with
their shopping. By mid-July, the group had devel-
oped a theme, Celebrating the Arts in Our Com-
mvnity, and began work on their drawings. Linda's
concept of using trees to separate each section was
readily accepted by all and John Cloutier agreed to

See Creative Partnership continged on page &

Below left to right: Flora Penlono, Gillian McMillen,
Lida Daherty, Debra Sloan, Keir Rice-Jones, Sharon
Reay, Jay MacLennan, Joka Clowtter and Celia Rice-
Jones, with Keith section bt the foreground and rhe
faves from Celia'’s on the wall behind, Photo enedit:
Linda Doherty