COLUMBIA

President’s Message

At the upcoming AGM I will be asking members to vote in favour of a reduction in the number of member- ship categories and for an increase in the cost for individuals. (See Page 9 for the AGM Agenda.)

For some time now, revenue from memberships has not been sufficient to support Guild activities. The shortfall has been made up through fundraising activities and a contribution of funds from Gallery sales. ‘The recent increase in rent for our gallery premises, and the concurrent decrease in gallery sales revenue, resulting from a fall in tourism, means that the Guild can no longer rely on Gallery profits to fund activities. We must be self-sufficient.

The board has spent some time reviewing the categories of our mem-

bership as well as the administrative burdens and the costs associated with collecting dues. Last year, we instituted the “one renewal date for all.” This year we propose to reduce the number of our membership categories by two, ending the family/studio and institution/group categories. Individual and Student/ Senior categories will be continued, but the costs of memberships in these groups will be raised slightly (Individual $55, Student /Senior $35.)

We will continue to work towards stronger links to the regions; your input is vital to make this work. This year’s BC in a Box is traveling north and east. If it is coming to your area, why not organize activities to publicize the exhibit and bring enhanced attention to your own local group? @

—Jinny Whitehead

April 2008 Gallery Exhibition

Alison Tang, Constructions Exhibition: April 5 to 28 Artist Reception: Sat., April 5, 1-3 p.m.

My work for this exhibition explores architectural constructions. Some forms are almost literal replications of houses, high-rises, and grain elevators while other pieces are abstracted fragments often glimpsed from building sites, structures in mid-construction.

The abstract sculptures are influenced by methods of construction as well as the materials from which they are made. Process and materials are often a prominent feature in contemporary architecture and | often try to emphasize these features in my own ceramic work. ‘The hand- made characteristic of the work is exaggerated while marks of the tools and the maker are left visible; the clay body is sometimes left bare or covered with a simple slip or glaze; the wood and salt firing also contribute to the look and feel of each piece. The flashing, fly ash and salt leave their

Potters Guild of BC Newsletter « April 2008

Gallery News

Anne Moore and Amanda Sittrop are the gallery's new front line and they are both extremely personable. It’s not easy to fill the shoes of such be- loved and hard-working gallery assist- ants, but they have done so with flair and enthusiasm. I’m very proud of their efforts which have strongly contributed to the gallery’s strongest March retail sales to date! Spring is a time for renewal. I hope everyone is finding inspiration for new creations.

—Brenda Beaudoin

distinctive marks.

Despite borrowing from contem- porary architecture, | am constantly intrigued by old buildings. Often, the more dilapidated and longer abandoned they are, the more I want to know their history. Were they once homes? What did they store? Who built them? And who lived in them? What memories do they contain? What sort of stories are they hiding? What story are they telling?

Most often I work from memory. Occasionally, 1 will take pictures and make sketches, but when I get into my studio I prefer to work more from the feeling I have about a place or structure rather than a two- dimensional image. My influences come from all over the world: my travels in the American Southwest, Northeast and Southeast Asia, Northern Ireland, British Columbia and Alberta.