A couple of weeks ago we spent a few days in nearby Bellingham, in Washington State. Alan attended the North-West Anthropological Conference and I took the opportunity to be a tourist in this charming city.
My first destination was Baker Street Ceramics studio where the resident artists are Deb McCunn and Jason Walker. Jason was our presenter at the February TriCity Potters’ meeting and I took him up on the invitation to visit if ever I was in Bellingham. What a marvellous studio these two operate! The owner, Deb, has had the interior of a warehouse totally refurbished as a ceramics workshop, with a loft area reserved for studios for herself and Jason and a lunch area. Downstairs there is a large open space for visiting clay artists, several wheels, work tables, shelves and all manner of clay equipment including a very smart gas kiln.
Deb runs a Clay Club on Thursdays for members to work on their own projects. She also offers several clay classes for all levels. Do check www. bakercreekceramics.com for more details.
I was fascinated to see what Jason Walker is working on. We were so impressed with the work he showed us in his ‘slide show’ and he’d told us he’s preparing for a major solo show at the Bellevue Art Gallery, Seattle in October of this year. He was kind enough to show me all the pieces he’s made so far and suffice it to say, the show is going to be a must-attend event. Jason is not only a master of every facet of clay fabrication but he is also draws amazingly well. His passion is the environment, and he makes art which addresses the awful possibilities the future holds. I agreed not to take any photos of the various pieces I saw but I can tell you that there are creatures, large scenes and mechanical devices, all drawn on and painted with his signature underglazes. When he sends me the show invitation I’ll be sure to publish it here and on Facebook.
Since I returned home Deb has sent me information on a special workshop that is being offered at Baker Creek Ceramics. Clay Artists Kristin Schimick and Virginia Jenkins will teach how to make ‘Compelling Surfaces’ on April 26th and 27th. They will also being giving a free public lecture at Whatcom Community College on Thursday April 25th.
Compelling Surfaces Schimik and Jenkins April 2014
Also of interest to clay people I’m sure, are two trips being organized through Whatcom Community College Community Education Department in June, to Pilchuk Glass School and to Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition at Seattle Center. Phone 360 383 3200 to register.
My next destination was Good Earth Pottery in nearby Fairhaven. I always pop in whenever we’re in the area, usually after lunching at Colophon Cafe and Bookshop. How lucky they are to have a vast heritage brick building for the co-op pottery shop and room on the upper floors for studios! They have been in the Morgan Block Building since 1969. The rent is reasonable and the shop couldn’t be better placed, in the heart of a tourist destination. I had a nice chat with two potters working in the shop that day, Carrie Selting and Ann Marie Cooper. I enjoyed their work and we discussed the variety of pottery for sale there. www.goodearthpots.com We agreed that it would be good to have some connection between potters there and in BC’s Lower Mainland. Do make a point of visiting this shop which is filled with an astonishing variety of pottery.
In downtown Bellingham I dropped in to the fine Whatcom County Museum to check what Art shows I could find. Sadly the Art Museum was between shows but the area is a fascinating place to check used book stores, funky clothing, artist supply and toy shops and I found a fledgeling ceramics drop-in studio. This store-front space has only recently opened and offers anyone the opportunity to have a go at making a pot. They have wheels, a kiln and glazes and help available. This is a link to a recent article in the local paper.
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/01/04/3403074/new-bellingham-pottery-studio.html
