When PoMoArts decided to feature its Ceramics Artists in Residence in a show, Gallery Manager Janice Cotter had a complicated task finding them all. It’s a fine idea to put us all together and take a look at what work we’ve done since our time in a studio at the Arts Centre, but who kept a list? Janice has only worked with the clay people who have been there since she became the curator.
Some have moved away, to the States and to England, but most still live here in BC’s Lower Mainland. Each artist has brought along some work, and we’ve secured pieces of absent CAIRs, so I plan to show them to you. Sadly there are a few who aren’t represented but it’s gratifying to see that seventeen artists have had the opportunity to work in a free studio and to show their work in Port Moody Arts Centre’s gallery. Thanks for all the research and work, Janice.
BW Finley and I were the first two clay artists to set up studios in the Arts Centre’s basement so that we could establish the Clay programme there. BW, who is a clay sculptor, now lives in Oregon. Luckily the City of Port Moody owns this history scene of early days made by BW so they it lent to PoMoArts for this show.
The Arts Centre actually opened in 1996, but in 1998 the nonprofit Arts Centre society was formed so the Ceramics Artist in Residence position dates from then.
As time went on the two small office spaces evolved into a studio for an emerging artist and a studio for the Centre’s technician.
I’m represented in this show by this signature jugbird and two other earthenware ones, and in the other gallery by three more stoneware pieces.
I re-established a studio in my nearby home in 1999 and my role was filled by other clay artists, some of whom worked there for several years, until eventually the CAIR position became a one-year opportunity.The lucky emerging clay artist is given a free studio, with access to the clay department’s kiln, glazes and clay, and works toward a solo show at the end of the year, and in return supervises clay drop-in sessions and shares their particular passion/direction in clay work. There is an opportunity to teach also.
In no particular order here is work by as many of the CAIRs as Janice could corral into bringing work for this show.
Max Yang, above, has just completed his year and solo show at PoMoArts.
Georgia Fitton was introduced as the current CAIR. She is already teaching at the Arts Centre. We’ll look forward to her show in the Summer of 2024.
Some of us were photographed in the Ann Kitching Gallery with our work. Gallery manager Janice Cotter and ceramics manager and technician Ysabella Choung joined us. Otto, Pauline and Clive also attended the opening but missed being included in this photo.
Bev Ellis was included in ‘Honouring the Past, embracing the Future’, the other Anniversary Exhibition currently showing at PoMoArts. Those artists have all shown their work there over the years. Bev’s distinctive birch trees are becoming well-known in BC and beyond.
Check my previous blog to see more images from that show. Remember that PoMoArts will keep these shows up until September 6th so make an Arts Centre stop during the rest of your Summer. Much of this work is for sale, and the Blackberry Gift Shop is open every day.
Janice has sent me this list of CAIRs for the record.
PoMoArts Ceramic Artists in Residence 1998 – 2023
1998 – 1999 Gillian McMillan *+
1998 – 2006 BW Finley *+
1999 – 2001 Steven Provence
2001 – 2009 Clive Tucker *
2006 – 2008 Jacqueline Sheridan *
2009 – 2012 Pauline Doyle *
2012 – 2013 – James Kemp
2013 – 2015 Otto Kamensek *
2015 – 2016 Ray Tse *
2016 – 2017 Gloria Han *
2017 – 2018 Malory Tate *
2018 – 2019 Julia Nygra *
2019 – 2020 Nolan Drew
2020 – 2021 Serisa Fitz-James *
2021 – 2022 Mickey Vescera *
2022 – 2023 Max TongShen Yang *
2023 – 2024 Georgia Fitton *
* exhibiting artists
+ Gillian McMillan and B.W. Finley started as the first CAIR in 1996, before the Port Moody Arts Centre Society was formed in 1998.
