Letter from the President
Well, we are almost into spring and we have, one way or another, survived yet another Canadian winter. Some great things happened in February. Canada showed the world that hockey is OUR game with both the women and men taking gold at the Olympics! Not to mention our other gold medal winners.
On the home front, we officially have a new guild Vice President with the election of Wade Vienneau at the February meeting. Not quite as big as Canada winning gold but close... the executive is happy to have him on board and I look forward to working with you, Wade.
Monica and her committee have been busy getting new plinths designed for our Spring exhibition and we are fortunate to have Bruce Cochrane as our juror this year. For those who are new to the guild, the exhibition will be held during the Spring Sale at the Shenkman Art Centre in April.
The next big event for the guild is Great Bowls of Fire, our version of the Empty Bowls Project. This will be held on March 8th at the Glebe Community Centre and all proceeds go to the Ottawa Food Bank. Many thanks to Sandra Marshall and her committee for their hard work. For more information check the OGP website and your guild forum emails.
I hope everyone is busy playing with mud and firing those kilns in preparation for the Spring sale April 11 to 13th. Once again, check the website for details and watch your guild forum email for updates from Irene Corey and her committee.
Hang in there folks - we are in the homestretch of winter and spring will be here soon. And just an FYI - for those who need encouragement like me, Costco has 2 dozen tulips for $9.99.
Carol Holmes-Kerr
President
OGP Meeting March 3, 2014
Please come join us to browse the library, meet with friends and join in on another great meeting.
Our standard committee will act as a panel for answering questions re: flaws in pots.
Please bring in questionable pieces to see if this broadly experienced group has any answers or suggestions. Pots with obvious flaws and unacceptable pit and cracks will be informative for new vendors to the sale.
The last meeting the standard committee hosted was a great success giving members an opportunity to join an informative and great discussion. Don't miss out!
Great Bowls of Fire: March 8, 2014
Tickets for Great Bowls of Fire are still available! The March 8th fete at the Glebe Community Centre is a fund raiser for the Ottawa Food Bank. Now in its 9th year, this fun event is organized by the Ottawa Guild of Potters - with many helping hands. The occasion is inspired by Empty Bowls, a potter’s project begun in 1990 in Michigan which has become an international grassroots movement to raise awareness and provide food for people in need. From its earliest days, Great Bowls has raised about $100,000 for the Food Bank.
The premise is simple – fresh bread and hearty soups served in a beautiful handmade bowl, selected by each guest to take home as a souvenir. The soups are ladled into the bowls by the ten fine restaurants which donate their time and soups to this charity event. Local bakeries and food stores add to the satisfying meals. After the meal, guests are keen to bid on the ceramic pieces that have been offered for purchase in the silent and called auctions. Tickets are available for $45 at Il Primo restaurant at 371 Preston St. www.ottawaguildofpotters.ca
We would also appreciate the donation of ceramic items for the auctions. Bowls, tureens, platters, mugs, vases, sculpture and jewelry have all found enthusiastic purchasers thanks to our members’ donations, increasing our gift to the Food Bank. *
At our next meeting on Monday, we will be sending around a sign-up sheet for volunteers, but if you cannot make it to the meeting and wish to volunteer now, please send an e-mail to smarshall8@sympatico.ca with your name, telephone number and preferred task, if you have one. If you prefer, you can call and leave a message at 613-792-3721.
Your Great Bowls of Fire Coordinators,
Klara Bruehlmann, Ann Rae, Sandra Marshall
OGP Annual Spring Sale: April 10 -13
The upcoming Spring Sale is going to be wonderful and we would love for as many Potter’s to come out and join us. We are putting a lot of effort into advertising this Sale, to bring in as many customers as we can.
If you are new to the Guild and have never participated in a Sale before, please consider joining us! You have a choice of any of the space sizes, with $60 off the space you decide to go with.
For all our experienced Potters, please put an application in as we would love to have you!
We have decided to waive our late fee, so while the original deadline was February 27th, you still have time to send me an application. Feel free to e-mail me your completed application and then mail your check separately.
Thanks,
Kristin
Current Events and Opportunities
Almonte Potters Guild Workshop:
The Almonte Potters Guild invites you to learn the techniques of thrown and altered forms with Anne Chambers.
PLACE: Almonte Potters’ Guild , 95 Bridge St. Almonte
TIME: Sunday April 6th from 10:00-4:00 (bring a lunch)
COST: Members $50 Non-members $75
Registration: Cheque payable to Almonte Potters Guild and mailed to Box 1827 Almonte On. K0A 1A0 by March 28 Information: Contact Rhona Bloomfield rhona@ncf.ca or 613-256-2734
Courses offered by Anne Chambers: For more information see www.annechambers.ca
Summer Pottery Retreat 2014
In its fifth year, once again I will be teaching the popular week long summer courses Monday to Friday July 14 - 18 and 21 - 25, 10 am - 4 pm. It is best if the student knows how to center the clay. Course cost is $325, clay $30 per bag.
July 14 - 18th Slow Down and Focus on the Details
Focusing on pots that contain we will throw or hand-build functional vessels and forms. Learn simple and complex construction methods along with surface decoration.
July 21 - 25th I’ve made a pot now what….Let’s Embellish
As we create pieces during the week the main focus will be on decoration and embellishment to your work at every stage of the process.
Gas Firing and How to Glaze Workshop
Date: June 14 - 15th 10 - 5 pm Saturday/Sunday my studio Cost: $150
Saturday: glaze your ^10 pots and load the gas kiln. Sunday: learn about reduction the how, why and when and using an oxy probe. While the gas kiln is firing we will try out more complicated glazing techniques, latex, wax, spraying, how to layer glazes to enhance your pot.
Carolynne Pynn-Trudeau Summer Workshops:
2014 Ottawa ONE WEEK POTTERY-WHEEL
Maximum three students per workshop.
June 23-27, 2014: Beginner FULL
July 7-11, 2014: Beginner
July 21-25, 2014: Intermediate
August 11-15, 2104; Intermediate
For Information please contact: Carolynne Pynn-Trudeau, cpynntrudeau@gmail.com
FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association
2014 FUSION Annual Conference
Featuring Kathryne Koop and Jennifer McCurdy.
Fleming College, Peterborough, Ontario.
May 30 - June 1, 2014
For more information about the presenters, workshops, conference schedule, accommodations, to register online, and more... visit: www.clayandglass.on.ca Early Birds Can Win!! All Conference Registrations received by Friday, February 28, 2014 will be entered in a draw for a chance to win a piece by Kathryne Koop!
FUSION BOARD
FUSION is currently seeking applications/nominations to fill available positions on the current Board of Directors. Board members are expected to attend board meetings, as well as participate in planning and continued growth of our organization. If any FUSION member is interested in serving on the Board or know of someone who might be a qualified board member candidate, please contact the FUSION office at fusion@clayandglass.on.ca
The Clay and Glass Gallery
COME & CELEBRATE - SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 2014
The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery is celebrating 20 great years! Help us make the next 20 even more exciting! Join us for The Clay & Glass Gala on March 22, 2014. Tickets $100 Get yours now! Call 519-746-1882 or visit http://clayandglassgala.eventbrite.ca
The Clay and Glass Gallery Workshops:
AOE
CALL TO ARTISTS: The City of Ottawa invites artists to submit proposals to develop, design and install exterior public artwork on Main Street in the neighbourhood of Old Ottawa East. Deadline: Mar. 24, 4 p.m. Information: http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/arts-culture-and-community/arts-theatre-music/call-artists-main-street
Contact: lynda.hall@ottawa.ca
CALL FOR ARTISTS AND ARTISANS: West Carleton Arts Society Fall Show and Sale ‘Expressions of Art’ 2014 is now accepting applications to be part of the event. Deadline to apply: June 1.
Contact: http://www.westcarletonartssociety.ca