http://www.timescolonist.com/obituary-victoria-ceramics-artist-walter-dexter-a-canadian-giant-1.1974949

Prompted by the recent death of Victoria BC artist Walter Dexter, friend and fellow TriCity potter Susan Gorris sent me some fine photos of him, taken four years ago. She had accompanied fellow sculptor Santo Mignosa to a reception celebrating BC’s well-known clay artists in Victoria.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

Jul 22, 2011 to Nov 27, 2011

Modern Eye

Craft and Design in Canada, 1940-1980

Modernism dominated craft and design in Canada from the 1940’s to the 1970’s. This exhibition explores the modernist viewpoints held by Canada’s most prominent designers and craft artists working in this period.

Included will be over 150 pieces of furniture, ceramics, and household items that best illustrate modernist preoccupation with form, colour, texture, experimentation, functionality, and honest use of materials. Items chosen reflect an interest in new materials and techniques and an awareness of contemporary trends in abstract art and Modern architecture.

Guest curated by Allan Collier, The Modern Eye borrows from local and national collections and is accompanied by an illustrated exhibition catalogue.

I invited her to write a little account of the occasion so today she is my guest blogger. Although Walter hadn’t attended the reception Susan tells how she and Santo paid him a visit the next day, and how the two old friends had a happy reunion. Enjoy these photos of Walter and some of his work as you remember one of the special clay artists of this province and country.

Remembering Walter Dexter  

In the summer of 2011, Santo Mignosa and Walter Dexter were two of many artists who exhibited several hand-built ceramic sculptures in a show entitled Modern Eye, Craft and Design in Canada 1940-1980 at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. At the opening reception, Walter Dexter’s notable absence prompted Santo to call him with the hope that a short visit might be arranged. He appeared to be very happy about seeing his old friend and welcomed both of us into his beautiful home and studio. Together they reminisced about mutual acquaintances, events from their past (his wedding atop a mountain!) and a recent exhibition of Walter’s in New York. He commented that he had a very appreciative following there and was selling his work at a handsome price. We congratulated him on his numerous successes and enjoyed viewing all of the interesting artwork proudly displayed in each room (many of the paintings were created by his late wife). He then invited us to accompany him to his studio where he was continuing the construction of new work. His space was enviable in the vast amount of storage, working tables and organization! After our tour we enjoyed a little refreshment. I asked both of them if I could take a few photos as the colour of his kitchen wall and a few of his recent ceramic sculptures were aesthetically compelling subjects that would provide a special addition to an image of the two friends. Soon after we said our good-byes; the reunion was exhilarating but Walter was very tired and needed rest.

On numerous occasions Santo has reflected on his long-time friendship with Walter. They attended openings, conferences and studio visits together when both were living in Alberta. For a short time they were working also together at the University of Calgary’s Department of Ceramics (Santo taught full-time until his retirement; Walter was a Guest Artist and Lecturer). Upon hearing of Walter’s death, Santo commented on Walter’s enormous impact on the Art community in Calgary. He also said that Walter was well-known as a serious and intense artist who had integrity and honour. He was highly respected and will be remembered for his passion and commitment to his work.

Susan Gorris

July 1, 2015

Santo attended the Art Institute of Florence for a degree in painting and then took a further year of clay sculpture. He immigrated to Canada in 1957 and in Vancouver potter Olea Davis took him under her wing. Santo showed us slides of Sicily and its historic ruins, many photos of his sculpture over the years and some interesting photos of early days of the BC Potters Guild. Olea Davis travelled with him back to Sicily at one point. After some wonderful successes having his sculptures and hand built vessels win awards, including representing Canada at the Smithsonian Institute, he was hired to teach in Calgary for twenty years. During that time he took a leave to attend New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred for a masters degree.

On retirement Santo returned to the Vancouver area and he has been active for many years giving workshops and being an important inspiration to the West Coast Clay Sculpture Association.

He brought some portable samples of his work for us to hold. Many are much too big to transport. He expressed regret that he doesn’t know where some of his favourite pieces are now. We also were shown treasured samples of ancient Greek and Roman pottery shards from his home country. He has great respect for the skill of ancient Greek potters. And he brought samples of reduction-fired stoneware pots that he makes. He has a gas kiln on his property and has plans to be making more pots to give to his friends. His grandchildren Miranda and Nicholas live in Port Moody and were in the audience for his presentation and are obviously very proud of their grandfather. I do hope they can take a hoped-for trip to Sicily with him one day soon.

Thank you Santo for a most interesting talk about your career and adventures in clay. We are lucky to have had Susan Gorris take a video of the evening so we will all have a record of his contributions to clay in BC for the BC Potters Guild archives. Debra Sloan came out from Vancouver to hear him and to take notes too.

Members brought bowls to donate to ‘The Loving Spoonful’s Empty Bowl Fundraiser’. Thank you to all the members who did that and thanks to Sue Griese for taking them in to the organizers for us.