Midnight in the Nursery
There are six more days to catch the current show at Port Moody Arts Centre's 3D Gallery. Debra Sloan and Marcia Pitch are presenting a show called 'Midnight in the Nursery'. Marcia's work uses stuffed toys, some of them turned inside out, and other childhood paraphernalia in considered, surprising assemblages. Debra's work is what drew me to my local gallery. I am used to seeing her dog sculptures but this show features babies, some of them with adult faces. Debra really captures the vulnerability of babies but gives these ones oddly mature emotions. Much of the work I imagine was made during her recent 13-week residency in Hungary. I particularly enjoyed two large pieces which have been fired in a wood and salt kiln. The third image shows a very distressed baby with a lovingly crafted dog at its side. The surface of this piece is delicious!
This theme, bedtime stories bringing nightmares to the nursery, is a fitting show for Halloween.
Saturday in Vancouver
The other day we were in Vancouver to help our son celebrate his 35th birthday. We found him some Danish Modern chairs in a New Westminster 2nd-hand store. Mike's collecting that era furniture for his old apartment and seemed delighted with our find. There are 4 armless dining chairs to match.
Then we went down to Granville Island. People like the salty mugs at the Gallery of BC Ceramics. At Circle Craft I checked the display in their window. Some of my salty pots are there along with fun sculpture figures by Debra Sloan. 
It's hard to take photos properly through glass.
While there we took a look at the current gallery show featuring the work of Cathi Jefferson along with furniture makers Joe Gelinas and Sandra Carr. I was so impressed with the carefully considered collaboration between these craftspeople. Cathi has made special vessels and tiles to insert into or stand on shelves, mirrors and tables. The arbutus, gary oak and other woods are beautifully matched or enhanced by the toasty colours and delicate painting on Cathi's pieces. Collaboration is tricky and this show is well worth taking in to see how it can be done right.
It runs until Aug 31st. Go to the Gallery section of the Circle Craft website to see photos of the show and read an excellent review by Thelma Ruck Keen and friends.