save the date: CLAY VOICES Season 2

by | Feb 24, 2021 | workshops

CLAY VOICES Season 2

Last year in June, CLAY Voices on Instagram, Canadian Ceramics Symposium was born in the middle of a global pandemic. This initiative was -and still is a response to the uncertainty we all artists were facing and its impact in our practice and our daily lives. The goal was to connect ceramic artists across Canada during the lockdown. The enthusiastic response revealed how much we miss our people.

Back then, 17 artists were interacting through Instagram during a weekend, introducing themselves and sharing views, concerns and supportive messages. Several months later restrictions are still in place and the second edition of CLAY Voices is taking over Instagram once again.

This coming weekend of March 5-7, an amazing lineup of ceramic artists across Canada will be live-streaming on Instagram 55 min. each. Through informal presentations, up-and-coming artists and established potters and sculptors will connect with the ceramics community. Using a mobile phone connected to the internet we will be watching the live talks from Alison Brannen, Catharina Goldnau,

Chris Snedden; Christy Chor, Dianne Lee, Heidi McKenzie and Tanya Besedina (ON); Jay Kimball (SK), Jordan Munro (AL); Lisa Creskey from Québec and Toni Losey from Nova Scotia. Presenters will open their studios and hearts to share with CLAY Voices followers some of the strategies they have set in place lately to keep their practice alive. To know more, follow @clayvoices and stay tuned.

Let’s connect, hear new voices and get inspired!

call for artists: Michael Miller Scholarship Fund

by | Feb 19, 2021 | residency opportunity

Deadline March 30, 2021

The purpose of the scholarship is to advance and encourage residency opportunities for artists in printmaking, drawing, filmmaking/videography, painting, and ceramics.

What the scholarship covers:

  • Award: Two-week residency and lodging for 14 days and some supplies (see below).

  • Eligible candidates are artists over 18 years old.

  • Artists concentrating in printmaking will be given precedence by the reviewers. Painters, ceramists and filmmakers/videographers are encouraged to apply for this award also. Scholarships will be granted on quality and content of the artwork, intended project and artist statements.

  • Media that is eligible to be considered for this award:

1.     Print Media – All types will be considered but SkopArt does not have the facilities for lithography or screen-printing.*

2.     Painting of any media, on any surface (may be combined with print media). 

3.     Book Art, film/video animation (may be combined with print media).

4.     Ceramics.*

What the scholarship does not cover:

  • Travel costs and meals (food and drink).

  • Some supplies depending on the requirement of the artist (see below).

*If an artist would like to utilize the printmaking or ceramics facilities, they must have adequate experience in the medium.

The Skopelos Foundation for the Arts has some supplies in ceramics, printmaking and painting. If you plan on making videos or films, you must bring your own equipment. Be aware that certain items based on your medium are not included. We have some water-based printmaking inks, oil-based printmaking inks, low-fire ceramics and some acrylic and oil paints. When you have been informed that you are a grant recipient, we will further discuss your needs.

 

Full information about The Skopelos Foundation for the Arts can be found HERE.

The Call for Submissions for the 2021 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics is now Open!

by | Feb 12, 2021 | call for entry

The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery is calling for submissions to the 2021 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics. In order to be considered, applications for the award must be received electronically by Friday, April 30, 2021.

This prestigious national award allows practicing emerging ceramic artists to undertake a period of independent research, or other activities that advance their artistic and professional practice. The winner of the Award will receive $10,000. The selection is made by a jury comprised of respected contemporary ceramic artists and other arts professionals.

The winner and up to five finalists will have their work featured in a group exhibition at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery from September 2021 to January 2022. The exhibiting finalists will receive an artist fee commensurate with the current CARFAC Fee Schedule. The Award will be presented at the opening reception, held at the Gallery in Waterloo on Sunday, September 26that 2:00pm. Transportation and accommodation will be provided to the winner, as required. In order to be eligible for the Award, applicants must be available to attend the reception on September 26th and be prepared to make a brief artist talk. All details related to the exhibition and reception are subject to change according to relevant COVID-19 restrictions including dates, attendance, location, and possible online formats. The winner and finalists will be notified in early June.

 

To apply to the Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics, you must be a Canadian citizen or have Permanent Resident status, as defined by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You must also meet our definition of an emerging professional artist, which is an artist who:

  • has maintained a professional practice for five to ten years as of the application deadline date. Professional practice typically begins upon completion of a college or bachelor’s degree in ceramics. If alternate circumstances apply, demonstrate how you identify as an emerging artist in the cover letter portion of the application;
  • has developed skills through training and/or practice in the field;
  • operates or has consistent access to a ceramic studio;
  • has a body of work that incorporates a public presence and peer recognition; and
  • seeks payment for their work and has an active and engaged practice

Nurielle Stern, winner of the 2019 Winifred Shantz Award for ceramics, was invited by Tony Marsh, Director of the Center for Contemporary Ceramics at California State University, Long Beach, to be a visiting artist at the Center in 2020. Of her experience, Nurielle stated:

The Winifred Shantz Award combined with a Canada Council Arts Abroad Grant afforded me the opportunity to travel for this residency in order to produce large-scale ceramic sculptural pieces. During this residency, I was able to access the school’s amazing facilities to create ambitious work beyond what would be possible in my Toronto studio. It was a unique opportunity to learn from and receive feedback from peers and to make international connections with other visiting artists and become familiar with some of the galleries and museums in L.A. The CSULB Center for Contemporary Ceramics is a high profile residency, and I’m incredibly honoured to have been chosen for this opportunity. My fellow artists in residence in winter 2020 included Simone Leigh, Heidi Lau, and Sharif Farrag, among others. Many thanks to Tony Marsh, the Shantz Family and The Keith and Winifred Shantz Fund for the Arts, the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

To download the complete application guidelines for the 2021 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics, click here.

About the Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics

The Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics is supported by The Keith and Winifred Shantz Fund for the Arts, held at Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation. This prestigious $10,000 award allows practising early career ceramic artists to undertake a period of independent research, or other activities that advance their artistic and professional practice. The winner and up to five finalists are also included in a group exhibition at the Gallery.

Past recipients of the award truly represent the best of the emerging ceramic artists in Canada. Joon Hee Kim of Oakville, Ontario was the winner of the 2020 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics. Click here to learn more about winners of the award in past years.

About Winifred Shantz:

The late Winifred Shantz was a driving force for the arts in Waterloo Region for more than 40 years. A successful ceramist, entrepreneur and visionary philanthropist, she was committed to finding ways to enable artists to reach their full potential.