A DAY FOR CLAY

Every year the Fraser Vallery Potters’
Guild holds a juried show, traditionally
hosted in one of the galleries in “our” area,
-White Rock, Fort Langley, or Maple
Ridge. In the fallof "91, the Gallery of B.C.
Ceramics was host to our show. In “92 the
White Reck gallery was unavailable and
we scrambled for a location. Finally, we
agreed on a Vancouver site again, but
were only able to book it for now in the
sping of ‘99. Seo the current show and
“93's this full in Maple Ridge, are beth
happening this year!

We have had several well-known local
ceramicists act as our jurer, and the
selection day is always a fascinating
experience for members who volunteer to
help cut.

This year Stan Clarke was invited to be our
guest juror, He has been an active
supporter of ceramics in B.C. for many
years, both as a teacher at UBC, founding
member of the Potters’ Guild of B.C., and
founder of the Greenbarn Potters’ Supply.
He knows almost all of us because he's
fixed oor kilns and offered advice as we
select clay, glaze matenals and equipment.

At noon on Saturday, March 20th, some
twenty members showed up at Kwantlen
College in Surrey (where we usually hoki
our monthly meetings) to deliver up to 10
pots made during the last year. The pots
are made somewhat anonymous with the
applying of masking tape to their undersides
and a letter is assigned t each person,
Then each member's pots are grouped on
the cheansd canvas tables, and a chalk line
surroumaés them.

When Stin arrived fram a morning of
working at Greenbarn, he found a mall
group of volunteers and tables full of an
astonishing variety of pots, Qur job was ty
tell him the requirements of the show and
to help move the selected work te another
pease op

areca. Stan worked hard and with real
concentration all afternoon. He allowed
that our stipulation that he select at least
one picce by each entrant was unusual,
but that it made sense, and he could live
with it. This way, every member is a
participant in what may be their first show,
but it does put constraints on dee juror, The
final selection is a te reflection of the
work happesing in our area now.

Stan felt he'd prefer to continue wath his
curcful selectmg than rush out for supper
so we brought m Chinese food and had an
enjoyable if casual meal before all the
members reappeared al 7 pm. By then, the
40 to 50 selected preces were arranged al
ome side of the classroom, so we grabbed
stools and settled down to the main parpise
of the whole procedure, the juror’s
comments. For those members who aren't
currently taking classes anywhere, this
may be the only opportunity all year for
feedback on their latest endeavours.

First, Stan discussed the overall quality of
work and the varsety he saw, and we all felt
most encouraged! Then he spent about
ome and a half hours talking about the
pieces selected, their strengths and
weaknesses; whelher the proportiwns
worked, whether the glaze suited the
function, and tf the artist semed to have
had fun. He then most diplomatically fielded
questions about these pieces ‘repected’,
explaining that he was considering the
overall look of the show in terms of colours
and sizes and varity of techniques show.
Some not included be really liked, and
others were, like the curate’s eg2, “good in
parts’. Certainly Stan was concerned that
the final show would feature his selections,
not look like a clutter, and so he stopped
selecting sooner than some expected.

The idexs, opmniems and values offered by
this elder statesman of cerumics was a
fascinating expenence for all of us there
that evening. The show has now been
installed, Looks grand, and will be open by
the time you read this,

Thank you Stan, for a great day, and such
friendly, helpful criticism, The show ts at
the Community Art Council Gallery at
837 Davi St.. Vancouver, until Saturday
April 17. Itisopen Tuesday through Friday
from }0to 4 pm and on Satusday from | to

4pm (closed for Easter from April 9-12
incl).

[Tf you're interested in other activities of the
Fraser Valley Potters’ Guild, call Davel
Lloyd at 525-5852.

Gillian McMillan.

The felkwing letter, written by Johanna
Polberg is reprinted with her permission,
She and her husband Ant were founding
members of the Potters’ Guild, and werg
very actively invelved for many years.

‘Dear Jan:

I appreciate that as a life member of the
Guikt 1 still receive the Newsletter, ‘The
March letter is a credit to you all, The
bustmess of the Guild ts im capable hands.

Tt was goxx) to find that the majonty of the
members want the name of the guild and
the gallery to remain unchanged. Let us
keep our roots they have served us well,

I hope the annual sale will be revived. It
was great publicity and a good fund-raiser,
It brought members together ty work for a
commun calise and gave encourigement
to beginning potters, It is a nice move to
have a student membership.

Someone, whese name | have forgutten
alas, phoned me about the annual meeting.
I do not drive at night anymore and am
intimidated by Vancouver traffic, Thank
you for tunking of me.
Yours sincerely,

Johann Polberg

8 Is my old friend Kingsmill in need of 4
hid’ 7 Regards. J.