Last Wednesday we held our last TriCity Potters’ meeting of the season. We’ve been the local group for clay artists for eight years now. To celebrate, as we usually do in June, we shared a special cake! Some members brought along a piece of pottery, either one of their own that they’re particularly happy with or a piece that they have collected. These little show-and-tell evenings are always so interesting and allow for lots of conversation.

I won’t identify all the people and pots but take a look at some of the items that were discussed.

Carlene showed us two pieces that had been fired in the Shadbolt wood kiln. The earlier one was the tallest piece she’d thrown but it was damaged by a falling object in the firing. She was delighted to explain to us that she’s discovered a wood-filler material from Lee Valley Tools, Quickwood, that fills cracks and mends beautifully. It can be sanded and painted after it dries so I can see it being very useful in our world. So Carlene has been able to save the vase she loves.

Maria showed us that she saved a bowl that had been over-fired and was horribly cratered. She has fired it with fresh glaze six times and it’s now perfect!  

New member Mark Tigges brought in a large bowl that he had fired in his wood kiln to show us the glaze inside. It is local Haney clay with variety caused by ash. Nice.  

Ysabella showed us a large bowl she’d made in the Korean tradition many years ago. She’d recently brought it home to Canada.  

Susan shared a little vase she’s always treasured. It would seem to be a hand-painted, factory-made porcelain piece from the thirties. I showed the group my biggest Peregrine Falcon jugbird and Laura explained that her fine, triangular, footed celadon baking dish was found at a thrift store. Bargain!

Thanks to all those who brought in something to discuss. If you would like to show us a special pot or sculpture, yours or not, we will certainly be having another evening like this in the next season which starts in September.

Meanwhile there are a number of items on the horizon. Do check the Coquitlam Rose Show at Dogwood Pavilion on July 4th and 5th. Some of our members will be selling their garden-related work there – plus the Rose Show is fabulous and if you go on the Sunday you can visit the Farmers’ Market next door. I am happy with the rose I bought at the event one year.

We’re having a social event/work party in my studio on Monday July 6th, starting at 10am. The idea is to make lots of white ceramic pendants, using texture, stamps and any other decorative items you may have and colour them with underglazes. I think we’ll once-fire them and then they will be donated to Port Moody Arts Centre to be included in ‘goody bags’ for attendees at their ‘Gala Ladies Night Out’.

The challenge for our members this year is to make, any way you like, some small flower pots. These will be planted with a little thyme plant and offered for sale or as a gift at a November meeting of the local chapter of Amnesty International. Please bring however many you can make over the summer and in September to the October meeting. We’d like to take a look at them all and arrange for them to be displayed for a while.