by Carole Epp | Feb 15, 2012 | Uncategorized
The Life and Times of Abigail Tackle as told by Mariko McCrae Craft Council of BC Gallery 1386 Cartwright Street, Granville Island
Opening: February 16th 6-8pm
Opened 10:30 – 5:30 daily February 16 – March 29th The Life and times of Abigail Tackle chronicles the artistic dreams and aspirations of a fictitious elderly woman from the Prairies. Gabriola Island ceramist Mariko McCrae merges Abigail’s dreams of one day visiting the oceans wide with her handbuilt ceramic efforts that are often anchored to historical examples. The result is a booty of work lifted from the annals of Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction catalogues that are made to walk the plank of contemporary subversions. Curated by Penny Parry.
Ship Sinkers- Ice Bucket
Read the whole story here. It’s well worth the time, so grab a cup of tea and enjoy!
by Carole Epp | Feb 11, 2012 | Uncategorized
Thursday March 8, 2012, 6:30 – 8 pm
http://www.gardinermuseum.on.ca/event/rorymacdonald
Rory MacDonald discusses the importance of ceramics within the realm of public activism. Examples of Rory’s public interventions are his street tags of traditional blue and white Willow pattern made during his residency at Medalta in Medicine Hat, Alta. In another project called Curb Work, he drew attention to the deterioration of curbsides and sidewalks in downtown Regina. Repairing the fissures with exquisitely decorated ceramic patches, his strategic activism highlighted the deterioration but improved the urban streetscape. His discussion on Public Craft will look at these projects as well his most recent works. Ceramicist Rory MacDonald is currently Assistant Professor of Ceramics at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the 2007 winner of the Winifred Shantz Award for emerging ceramics in Canada. Central to his current research is the exploration of the concept of public craft. His lecture will give an overview of both old and new works.
111 Queen’s Park
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 2C7
Canada
Tel +1 416.586.8080
Fax +1 416.586.8085
[email protected]
by Carole Epp | Jan 21, 2012 | Uncategorized
Medicine Hat – The Potters’ Guild of British Columbia (PGBC) and Alberta Potters Association (APA) have developed a new collaborative travelling art exhibition. The show, titled “Alberta / BC in a Box,” is on display at Medalta’s Yuill Family Gallery from January 17 – February 16 with a public reception on Saturday, February 4 from 2:00 – 4:00pm.
The idea of two clay exhibitions traveling simultaneously in Alberta and BC began to take shape in 2010. The works would be of reduced size (boxed at 6”x6”x6”) so that it can be transported with ease. This constraint presented challenges to some of the artists, many of whom are comfortable working on a much larger scale. The artists, for their part, met the challenge head-on and created work which shows a deep connection to the rich culture, heritage and landscape of the artists’ home. Although the PGBC is presenting its third manifestation of its travelling exhibition, this is the first to be developed in collaboration with the APA. BC-in-a-Box 3: The Edge of Here is the British Columbia contribution to the project while the APA theme is Wide Open.
The exhibition at Medalta marks the only time that all artwork will be in the same place. With ceramics on the move across two provinces, viewers will be exposed to a wider variety of artists than can normally be seen. Everyone is welcome to attend the public reception on Saturday, February 4 from 2:00 – 4:00pm.
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.
For more information, visuals or interviews, contact:
Quentin Randall
Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator
Medalta, in the Historic Clay District
403.529.1070
[email protected]
medalta.org
by Carole Epp | Jan 12, 2012 | Uncategorized
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.
Ship Sinkers- Ice Bucket
