Sunday seemed like a perfect day to drive over to Horseshoe Bay for the Art Walk. I wanted to visit the potters so we wound up only getting to 3 of the 9 venues! But it was most interesting to see how their art walk was organized. Horseshoe Bay artists used to be part of a larger West Vancouver art event but found that being quite far from the central area their number of visitors wasn’t great. So this one-day walk (45 mins they estimate to walk it all, I don’t think so, it’s very hilly!) can start at Gleneagles Community Centre where there’s a pottery facility and some artists were exhibiting there. A shuttle bus leaves there every half hour from 11am until the end at 4pm. Parking is ridiculously difficult in the ferry departure area of Horseshoe Bay so the shuttle bus is vital, free and a very good idea. The event is sponsored by local businesses such as restaurants, galleries, realtors etc. Organizers of Port Moody’s ArtWalk please note.
We did find a brief parking spot on the waterfront and visited potter Helen Weiser in her lovely home on Bay Street. Her architect husband had designed it we gather.
Helen had a variety of pieces on display alongside paintings by Tannis Turner, including some tiny pots fired in the salt kiln of her neighbour Jackie Frioud. I particularly liked Helen’s most recent series of plates which had been inspired by the little house liquor bottles given to passengers on KLM!
At the top of the hill above Helen’s house we found Jackie Frioud’s house and studio. What a fabulous location! I’ve included a photo of her view of Howe Sound.
Jackie had a large selection of her quiet, well-salted pieces on display.
In the photo she is holding a rich brown teapot.
Our third and final visit was to Tam Irving’s home and studio on Marine Drive. The house also has a view of the ocean.
Tam’s showroom was full of his remarkable new electric-fired, colourful, sculptural vessels and wall-pieces. We first saw these at his solo show at Burnaby Art Gallery a while ago and many pieces were very similar.
Alan and I couldn’t resist buying a marvellous two-part leaning vase, with clear straight-edged areas of satin and matt colours. I’ll add a photo of that tomorrow. Tam had also fired his gas kiln for the first time in two years. The more recognizable vases in that firing were once-fired. Again we decided to take one home. It looks like a wood-fired piece with a dark orange shino glaze, dusted with ash when wet. Flowers will look gorgeous in that.
In his and Rosalind’s house we were delighted to see several of Tam’s ‘still life’ arrangements. They look just perfect in the uncluttered spaces, a joy to see.
Thanks for welcoming visitors to your homes Helen, Jackie and Tam.
Next year we should just park at the community centre and take the shuttle bus and then perhaps we’d get to see the photography, paintings and multi-media work too!
