It was a clay-packed weekend!

On Friday evening Linda took June and me over to the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts for the latest in the NorthWest Ceramic Foundation’s series of lectures. Nora Vaillant had studied Leach apprentice and sometime BC resident John Reeve and his influence on West Coast potters for her MA thesis. This talk was a somewhat extended version of the presentation she made at the most recent NCECA conference. 

Many of the evening’s large audience had worked with  John Reeve. Nora gave a fascinating account of his journey in clay and how he’d been a teacher at Vancouver School of Art here and shared studio space at times with Martin Peters, Tam Irving, Ron Vallis and Herman Venema – all of whom were there on Friday evening. The lecture was presented as part of the current Canada-wide ‘Culture Days’ so there were refreshments and balloons for attendees of several events that night. It was such fun to catch up with many of my clay colleagues. Some of Tam Irving’s extensive collection of Reeve pots were on display. We also were able to see work by Shadbolt’s ceramics instructors.

Saturday and Sunday were totally taken up with our long-planned Clay Day in my studio and garden. The weather was iffy and there were lots of other Culture Days activities planned for three days. But faithful members brought tents and tables and some of their work and we set up displays inside and out. The idea was to show visitors some of the many ways we use clay, so members demonstrated hand-building, carving, decorating and wheel-throwing as well as providing a very happy area where children were encouraged to play with clay, with guidance. 

I am sorry I didn’t take many photos. I seemed to find myself talking to visitors, explaining where they can take pottery classes, making sure my pottery friends were comfortable in the rather chilly weather and generally discussing our passion. The 2nd hand art books and a draw were popular and some pottery was purchased. The latter wasn’t really the point of the event but is encouraging! 

Thank you so much to all the TCP members who showed up for far more than their suggested 3 hour stints, some on both days, brought goodies for us all, banners, hand-made signs and information sheets. You know who you are and I am pleased to have provided a venue for us to spend time together and meet more local supporters. The garden even looked rather nice in spite of some rain on Saturday. I hope we have encouraged people to check out pottery classes in the Tri-Cities and that children are taken to the current show at Port Moody Arts Centre which is aimed specifically at youngsters.

Now I must pack jugbirds ready to be hand-luggage for my flight to England on Wednesday. I plan to visit galleries in Cambridge and London over the next little while.