Pairings: A Conversation Sat 14 Jan 2012 – Sun 26 Feb 2012
Cross-disciplinary collaborations in craft and design. A touring exhibition from Manchester Metropolitan University showcasing the work created over the last eighteen months by artists working in partnerships across their different specialist fields within craft, art and design. Having to engage with new technologies and techniques unfamiliar to them, this exciting exhibition displays and interprets the processes and documents the ‘conversations’ as sketches, tests and experiments, as well as the finished outcomes. The exhibition itself becomes a discussion between all the makers and between the makers and the audience. Artist Talks: Wednesday 1st February at Craft in the Bay An opportunity to hear some of the exhibiting artists discuss their work and the collaborative process. Full details will be available shortly. Talks will be held in the conference room and within the exhibition area. Advance booking required. Cost: £5
Artist pairings: David Gates, Alice Kettle & Jane Webb Helen Felcey & Dave Grimshaw Louise Adkins & Inge Panneels Kirsteen Aubrey & David Crow Sally Morfill & Sylvie Vandenhoucke Melanie Miller & Jenny Walker Jane McKeating & Andrew Livingstone Alice Kettle & CJ O’Neill Vanessa Cutler & Kate Egan Alice Kettle & Alex McErlain Sharon Blakey & Jenny Walker Claire Curneen & Alison Welsh Kirsteen Aubrey, Vicki Brown & Jane McFadyen Helen Felcey & Liz Wheeldon Wyatt Sharon Blakey & Ismini Samanidou Heather Belcher & Duncan Ayscough Jessamy Kelly & Steve Dixon Cate Watkinson & Clinton Cahill
Medicine Hat – In recognition of a body of work that spans four decades, Medicine Hat artist Les Manning was named a Member of the Order of Canada. The announcement, which came on December 30, 2011 from Canada’s Governor General’s office, celebrated “his contributions to the promotion of ceramics, as an artist, teacher and arts advocate.”
Manning – who grew up near the community of Provost, Alberta – credits his high school art teacher, Mrs. Ruth Auburn, for encouraging him to pursue a career in the arts. Manning recalls Mrs. Auburn and her husband organizing all the necessary paperwork to enrol him in Alberta College of Art and even driving the 400km to Calgary to begin his studies. “Her trust in my skill as an artist gave me great confidence,” Manning explains. “I promised myself I would complete the [Alberta College of Art] program in her honour.”
After graduating from Alberta College of Art in 1966 with a Ceramics major, Manning spent some time working in a production studio, teaching community art classes and engaging with the Banff Centre of the Arts while squeezing some time in for studio work. In 1973, Manning was named the first Director of the Ceramics Studio at the Banff Centre and played a pivotal role in designing the facilities which made it a world-class destination for ceramic artists around the world.
During his twenty-five year tenure at the Banff Centre, Manning engaged with many arts organizations. His term as President of the Alberta Potters’ Association opened the door to become Chair of the organizing committee which brought the International Academy of Ceramics’ (IAC) assembly to Calgary and Banff in 1973. In addition, he served as Vice President of the IAC for eight of his twelve years as a member of the Council.
Manning was instrumental in the creation of the Canadian Craft Council and served as its first President until 1975. He was also President of the Alberta Craft Council from 1986 to 1988.
Following his time at the Banff Centre, Manning moved to Ontario for six years before returning to Medicine Hat, Alberta in 2001 to assist with the expansion of the Medalta International Artists in Residence program. Manning donated his time to Medalta for eight years and was instrumental in the design of new artist residency facilities – named the Shaw International Centre for Contemporary Ceramics – at the Medalta Potteries National Historic Site, which is a centrepiece of Medicine Hat’s Historic Clay District.
Medalta’s Shaw Centre marked the fourth studio facility in which Manning was heavily involved. He was also instrumental in designing studio spaces for the Haliburton School of Art, which is a satellite campus of Sir Sandford Fleming College in 2002 and the Fort Saskatchewan Pottery Guild (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta) in 2003.
“I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of the Order of Canada than Les,” says Historic Clay District Executive Director, Barry Finkelman. “He gave us eight years as a dedicated volunteer with the goal of seeing the Shaw Centre facilities come to life. We now welcome artists from around the world and all of them are excited at the possibilities the studios present.”
Fellow ceramic artist and current Alberta College of Art & Design Instructor Greg Payce was equally thrilled with Manning’s appointment. “I have known Les for over thirty years and have watched with enthusiasm, awe, and respect as his career has developed.” Payce, who is an internationally known artist in his own right, went on to say “[Manning] is arguably the face of Canadian ceramics internationally. His selfless and tireless advocacy has truly shaped the Canadian and International contexts for both current and future generations of artists.”
Manning’s career is highlighted by his tireless commitment to community-building and acting as an advocate for the arts. In addition to his community work, Manning’s artwork is included in permanent collections around the world, including Japan, China, Egypt, Turkey and Korea.
After forty years of community service, Manning says he is looking forward to spending more time in his studio at Medalta’s Shaw Centre. “It’s incredible to even be considered for the Order of Canada. All of the efforts which got me there made for less time in the studio. Now that I’m home in Alberta, I have been able to find the time to pursue the ceramic work I really started to do forty years ago.”
A reception to celebrate Les Manning’s appointment to the Order of Canada will take place on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 7:00pm. Everyone is invited to attend and celebrate his lifelong dedication to the arts.
Text is via Quentin Randall @ The Historic Clay District. Quentin Randall, Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator Medalta, in the Historic Clay District 403.529.1070 [email protected] The Historic Clay District is a 150-acre National Historic Site in Medicine Hat, Alberta which encompasses a number of historically significant clay factory sites. One of the centerpieces of the Historic Clay District is the Medalta Potteries National Historic Site, which features an industrial history museum, major industrial archaeological excavation, contemporary ceramic artists-in-residence program and working pottery. It is one of eight major attractors within the Canadian Badlands and receives significant support from the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and City of Medicine Hat.
John Balistreri, Professor of ceramics at Bowling Green State University, explains the rapid prototyping process and BGSU’s patented powder and binder solution as well as its applications to art, industry, and medicine. BGSU is the leader in ceramic rapid prototyping and this video showcases some of the work done by students, grad students, and professors from different fields across the arts and academia. For more information On Bowling Green State University visit www.bgsu.edu – For more information on John Balistreri visit www.johnbalistreriartist.com
Greg Payce is recognized internationally for his unique ceramic works combining vase forms with precisely articulated profiles. When properly aligned, illusionary images, most often of human figures, appear in the negative spaces between the vases.
Starting in 2007, the artist began to create large-scale lenticular photographs of major pieces, opening new possibilities for seeing and experiencing the original works. Lenticular photographs incorporate digitally re-mastered images and lenses to create startling three-dimensional illusions. He also began to work with video projected on to moving works, creating mesmerizing sequences that relate decorative motifs found around the globe to contemporary ceramics practice.
In this exhibition, important early works indicating the artist’s growing fascination with image, decoration, history and technology will be displayed in the Focus Gallery amidst the Museum’s rich collection of historical ceramics. Major new works from the last five years will be exhibited in the George R. Gardiner Gallery including original ceramic artworks, lenticular photographs created from these artworks and large-scale video projections. Visitors will experience the work in a variety of arrangements, formats and scales.
This exhibition showcases one of Canada’s most innovative and productive ceramic artists, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to expanding the expressive and conceptual range of ceramic art.
Announcing our newest challenge for the photographers amongst us! … or for a photographer you may know. It could be a famous potter, the local potter around the corner or perhaps someone more personal … like you. Your interpretation can be as broad as your mind will stretch. The Prize: publication of your image (full page) in Issue 51/1 of The Journal of Australian Ceramics (JAC), books to the value of $200 from our online shop or 2 years membership of The Australian Ceramics Association. The choice will be yours. Conditions of Entry:
One entry per photographer
A selection of the best images will be featured in the 50th Anniversary issue of The JAC, Issue 51/1, to be published on 1 April 2012.
Image format: 300 dpi jpg file, minimum size 1MB, maximum size 4MB. DO NOT email tiff files.
Portrait and landscape formats are acceptable, although portrait images (24.5cm X 17cm suit JAC’s format the best).
All photos must be accompanied by the following information: photographers name, potters name, location and date of image.
Photos must have been taken in 2011 or 2012.
There should be no digital manipulation of the image.
By entering the competition, you give The Australian Ceramics Association license to publish the photograph in The JAC and on our website, www.australianceramics.com.
Deadline for images: 30 January 2012.
Images can be emailed to: mail at australianceramics.com with the subject heading SHOOT THE POTTER, or mailed on a disc to SHOOT THE POTTER, PO Box 274 Waverley NSW 2024
It could be a famous potter, the local potter around the corner or perhaps someone more personal … like you. Your interpretation can be as broad as your mind will stretch. The Prize: publication of your image (full page) in Issue 51/1 of The Journal of Australian Ceramics (JAC), books to the value of $200 from our online shop or 2 years membership of The Australian Ceramics Association. The choice will be yours. Conditions of Entry: 
