After leaving Roberts Creek we headed North-West towards Sechelt, hoping to fit some more studios into our day. Just before Davis Bay we turned up Whitaker Road and found potter Laurie Rolland’s studio.
I’ve been aware of Laurie’s work for many years, admiring ‘vessels’ and other sculptural forms in local shows at the Gallery of BC Ceramics and even here in Port Moody at the Blackberry Gallery. Her work can be found in prestigious collections in Ontario, the Canadian Embassy in London, England, in the States, Australia, Korea and China. Click on the link to read more of her biography.
For my account of our visit to Laurie’s showroom I’ll mainly let you see photos. Each piece asks to be studied and interpreted personally. She says, ‘A deep reverence for the natural world, combined with an interest in ancient earth-based religions informs this work, for the boat is the feminine symbol of passage and salvation the world over.’
Laurie’s pieces are all hand-built, with just a few being obviously functional. Her work is for collectors. Do notice the bold colours on the walls of her display rooms. They really enhance the work.
I followed Laurie into her study where she had arranged a wrapping station. Again, I loved the colour on the walls, and the fascinating artworks and anthropological items for inspiration displayed there.
When Laurie and I joined the others in the showroom we found Owen and Laurie’s partner deep in conversation about the canoes he builds. Both apparently spend much time on the local waters. I think the conversation could have continued for a long time. But it was time to move on.
Laurie’s visitors are invited to see her display in the lower level of her charming house. We noticed the carefully tended garden which stretched up a slope behind and I imagine her studio is in a building way up there. I expect she can see the waters of Davis Bay when she’s working.
We emerged at 4.30pm and even though the Crawl ends at 5pm we agreed that we’d had a full day and that it would be a good idea for Linda and me to head back down to the ferry. So the next studios we’d circled on the brochure, in Sechelt and further north, will have to wait until another year.
We dropped Owen and Sue off at their homes in Gibsons and Linda and I didn’t have a long wait for the 6.55pm ferry back to Horseshoe Bay, and a return to our regular lives. A trip to remember!
Thank you very much, Owen, for suggesting TriCity Potters make this excursion, and for inviting us to stay at your family’s cabin overlooking the Salish Sea. Thanks also to you and to Sue for being our knowledgeable local guides. Your suggestions and local experience were a great help.
My souvenirs from the trip, above, are a little wheel-thrown salt-glazed jug by Elaine Futterman, a large mug for my tea by Jack Ploesser, a shorter, wonky coffee mug with a perfect handle by Ray Niebergall and a little green dish by Laurie Rolland for my daily slices of pear.
Quite a breathtaking showcase!
Thanks, Gillian for your wonderful, detailed documentation of the trip.
I truly wish I could have gone too…. Kay