Matter of Clay III – Workshops

by Carole Epp | Jul 7, 2011 | Uncategorized

Jonathon Brancroft-Snell Gallery and London Potters Guild, in conjunction with “Matter of Clay III” present a weekend with 3 of Canada’s top ceramic artists: John Chalke, Gordon Hutchens and Valerie Metcalfe. Sponsored by:

The Ontario Clay and Glass Association

View the Poster Location: London Clay Art Centre, 664 Dundas
Cost: $200.00 plus HST for all 3 events and $100.00 for daylong workshops.
Register now as space is limited. John Chalke
Artist’s Statement – My interest has remained inconveniently multi-faceted in most things ceramic – from its misty prehistory, when only clay and gods mattered, to the subsequent historical offerings from many lands. Food and tea presentation, clay and glaze research, the art of throwing, the art of handbuilding, kilns, riverside shards, emissivity, the smell of old clay, on and on. The straight path to the studio from the house is necessarily most serpentine some days. Some months of the year, though, make it much simpler. When the days grow warmer I work much more outside, where pots dry more quickly. I become a potter and become familiar again with muscle and ache. From November on, when things are freezing solid outside, body activity slows down and more cerebral struggle takes its place. A farmer might go curling during this time. I suppose I go handbuilding. This sequence has been part of my making for well over 30 years. The only thing I can see that has changed is more honing, more reflection, more revisiting old and new places in my mind, and less guilt about the now petty. Gord Hutchens
Gordon Hutchens’ studio is nestled in 19 wooded acres in the secluded north end of Denman Island, British Columbia, a 5 minute drive from the ferry landing. For nearly 30 years Gordon has operated his extensive studio here while exhibiting across Canada, from Halifax, Montreal and Toronto to Vancouver & Victoria. He has had over 25 one-man shows and over 70 group exhibitions across Canada and the U.S., with 3 major exhibitions in Japan. Gordon has also taught courses and workshops for many colleges and potter’s guilds. His works and articles have been published in various ceramics magazines and books. Gordon’s work is well known for the depth and diversity of his glazes and the strength and refinement of his forms. Valerie Metcalfe
Valerie’s work is refined, wheel-thrown porcelain, high-fired in a reduction atmosphere. She specializes in large, carved “landscape” platters, accented with metal and glass inserts. Her large vases and more functional ware are often delicately painted with a leafy design and embellished with gold lustre. Valerie’s pieces have been exhibited and sold across Canada and the United States and are held in public and private collections around the world. In 1994 Valerie was elected into the Royal Canadian Academy of Art, the oldest visual arts organization in Canada and one dedicated to the recognition and promotion of excellence in Canadian art. Register online here.