OGP Executive 2013-2014
Please welcome our OGP executive for 2013 – 2014:
- President – Carol Holmes-Kerr
- Vice President – Open
- Past President – Prudence Au
- Treasurer – Maja Maricic
- Secretary – Carol Lim
- Membership – Isobel Salole
- Chair, Promotion and Communications – Ileana Tierney
- Chair, Sale Committee – Debbie McLeod
- Chair, Workshops and Presentations Committee – Wendy He
- Chair, Standards and Education Committee – Carolynne Pynn Trudeau & Isaac Fouchard
- Chair of the Exhibition Committee – Monica Rosenthal
A big round applause to the nominating committee (Vinod Chettur and Carolyn Ault) for making this happens. And special thanks go to Colette Beardall for running the election at the AGM.
And here are our committee and support members:
- Sales Committee Members – Deb McLeod, Klara Bruehlmann, Jean Jaffe, Karen Horl
- Workshops and Presentations Committee Members: Colette Bourgoin
- Sales Standards and Education Committee Members – To Be Confirmed
- 40th Anniversary Committee Members – Sandra Marshall
- Librarians – Donald MacKay, Alenka Paquet, Sue-Ann Blakely and Liza Westwood
- Telephone and Website Inquires – Open
- Bursary Co-ordinator – Kirstin Davidson
- Newsletter distribution by mail – Prudence Au
- Guild Members Book – Cathy Payne
- Gallery, Map,Classifieds,Twitter & Facebook – Supriya Chettur
- Fusion Representative – Mary Zintel
- Refreshment: Open
- Charity: Kirstin Davidson
- Prudence Au, Past President
Membership News
I’d like to introduce you to the incoming Membership Secretary, Isobel Salole. Isobel has been a member of Gladstone Clayworks Cooperative for nearly 2 years and a Guild member since 2011. She enjoys hand building functional ware with the occasional sculptural piece. She was a member of the artist collective IN FLUX which comprised of a group of 5 women ceramic artists. They succeeded in having exhibitions at the Centrepointe Atrium Gallery in 2010 and the Shenkman Arts Centre in 2012. I hope you will take the time to introduce yourself and welcome Isobel! Thank you for allowing me to serve you as Membership Secretary for the past 12 months. It has been a great fun getting to know you all.
Happy potting,
Carolyn Ault,
Membership Secretary (outgoing)
Sales Treasurer Position
The Sale Treasurer job has been greatly simplified! First, it is now completely separate from the Guild Treasurer job, which Maja has graciously accepted. Furthermore, the set up and tear down of the Cash Computers is also now a separate job.
So what is left to do?
- Order the VISA/MC/Interact terminals (this is less than 10 minutes on the phone with Moneris).
- Collect the money during the sale – you will have 2 assistants, so this is not hard either.
- After the sale: pay the bills, write the Potters’ cheques, return the Moneris equipment, remit the HST.
There are PERKS to this job:
- Most of this job takes place after the sale is over – leaving you more time to make pots before the sale.
- You will not be assigned a set-up job
- You will not be assigned a tear-down job.
- Finally: you and your assistants will set your hours among yourselves. So you don’t even need to work in the standard ‘shifts’ if you choose not to.
I AM WILLING TO HELP YOU AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU WANT – just let me know
- I would be willing to work as one of your assistants during the sale.
- I am happy to help you prepare the cheques after the sale.
- I will show you how to do the HST return (it is super-easy).
I also have a check-list to make this job even easier. Follow the check-list, and you cannot go wrong! And there is one more PERK: you learn a lot. If you ever want to run your own business, this is like a free introductory course. Please give it some thought … and keep in mind, the sale *must* have a treasurer, or there won’t be a sale. Let’s talk – email me or give me a call (613-256-7764).
Linda Taylor
Great Bowls of Fire
We are delighted to let you know that the planning for the next Great Bowls of Fire is underway. It will be held on March 8th 2014 at the Gelbe Community Centre. The members who have undertaken the crafting of 25 soup bowls for the charity event for the Ottawa Food Bank are Carolynne Pynn Trudeau, Jane Snider, Annette Birmingham, Sue-ann Blakely, Prudence Au, Michele Macdonald, Cathy Payne, Wendy He, Alenka Paquet, Lara Charlebois, and Carolyn Ault. Thank you all for volunteering to take on this project. I hope that each of you can provide one bowl in December, so that it can be photographed for the event poster. The remaining bowls will be needed by the day of the event. I have attached a copy of the 2013 poster as inspiration.
As for previous Great Bowls of Fire, we are also looking for donations of other items – more soup bowls, and larger ceramic items including sculpture that could be offered during the called and silent auctions. This part of the event is always fun and can raise more funds for the Food Bank. (The Food Bank will provide tax receipts for those donations, including the soup bowls, so don’t forget to fill out a donation form and get another member to sign off for you so that you can send it to the Food Bank after you have donated your pieces.) Closer to the date of the event, we will be asking for more volunteers to set up and take down the tables, chairs and stage, provide kitchen service and the myriad of other tasks that need to be done.
We three are now carrying out the coordinating function for the third year and will need other volunteers to take on the work after this year. Please consider becoming part of the organizing team so that GBoF continues to announce the arrival of spring in Ottawa. More news on the event will be provided later, but let us know if you have questions or would like to volunteer.
Yours truly, Great Bowls of Fire Co-ordinators, Sandra Marshall, Ann Rae, Klara Bruehlmann
Roots / Racines in the Dust Evans Gallery
As part of the 40th anniversary celebrations, and with the support of the Gloucester School of Pottery, we are honouring the Guild founders and earliest members for Roots / Racines in the Dust Evans Gallery between Oct. 19 to Dec 11. Through friendship, love of clay, vision and no small measure of determination, these people started and set the direction of our Guild 40 years ago. This exhibition is dedicated to our founders’ and earliest members’ works, some old and some recent. Stay tuned to our website to learn more about the potters who will display their work.
This exhibit will overlap with the Guild Holiday Sale, and I propose that we invite these people to mingle with us, the present members, and to share their memories, on Friday November 15, the day after the sale setup. I am asking for some volunteers to help with this event – such as organizing finger food and beverages (The bar will be open that night for a dance programme.) Please join in supporting this event and email me to let me know if you can help. You will be able to show the founders your work too!
Sandra Marshall
Standards and Education Committee
A recent email from Isaac Fouchard, Co-chair Standards and Education committee:
As you may know it is part of the mandate of the Education & Standards committee to provide the guild with information as well as opportunities to learn about the different criterion that the guild follows and expects the membership to follow as well. Part of this directive was achieved when the Ottawa Guild of Potters hosted the Ron Roy glaze workshop. During this workshop, Ron presented a new computer program that is used to help artists with the chemistry of their glazes. Using such programs helps to eliminate the lengthy line blend and triaxial blend testing that had always been used. As an example, Ron presented the program by using a commonly used glaze here in Ottawa; Randy’s Red. After inputting this particular Randy’s Red recipe, it was discovered that the glaze was unstable and because of this, could leach. We are not writing this email to tell you not to use your Randy’s Red. I will attach the Randy’s Red recipe that has been tested and found unstable. If you use that recipe, you will have to omit it from your selection of glazes, or use it on sculptural, non-functional pieces and exterior surfaces. This email is just to remind everyone that the testing of your glazes is necessary as a proper business practice. Here are a couple of tests that should be done to all glazes being used on food grade surfaces.
Vinegar test: Place vinegar inside a glazed vessel. Cover said vessel in saran wrap to avoid evaporation. Wait 72hrs. If the glaze has a change in colour or surface texture, it is an unstable glaze and leaches when used with any acidic food/drink
Crazing test: Place a glazed vessel in the microwave or oven and heat up. Once piece is hot, place in the freezer. Glaze should be able to expand and contract at the same level as the clay body. If you see cracks or crazes develop, the glaze is unstable and cannot be deemed food safe.
If you use this recipe of Randy’s Red, please refrain from using it on food safe items:
- Silica……………………12
- EPK………………………2
- Kona F4…………………8
- Talc…………………….5.6
- Gerstley Borate…..12.
- Red Iron Oxide………..6
Further testing is being done on other recipes that are known to be unstable as well as glazes that are known to contain controversial ingredients. The Standards and Education committee will be hosting a presentation at the October 9th general meeting. This presentation will include a discussion on the results pulled from the testing we will be doing over the next few weeks. Examples of unstable glazes will be provided as visual reference. If you have any questions in regards to glaze testing and glaze stability, please bring them to the meeting and the SEC panel will help in any way possible.
Many thanks,
Isaac Fouchard (i.j.fouchard@gmail.com), Co-chair Standards and Education committee.
Current Events and Opportunities
Business Opportunity
Are you looking to increase your income while still having time for pottery? If so this is for you. I am looking to retire no later than the year 2015. I have been in business for 12 years and Capital Pottery has been a very good business opportunity for me. If you or someone you know would be interested in this business, please contact me. I can be reached at the store 877 Boyd Ave. Phone number 613-728-0697, Home number 613-837-0297 or by e-mail s.hand1150@gmail.com.
Sarah Hand
Gladstone Clayworks
BEGINNERS POTTERY ON THE WHEEL
8 week course for beginners who want to learn how to make pots on the pottery wheel. Dates: October16/13 to December 3/13, Day and time: Tuesdays – 6:30 pm – 9 pm We will focus on making two basic forms, cylinders and bowls. You will learn the basic skills of throwing and trimming and in the latter part of the course, you will learn the basics of simple surface decoration and glazing. Cost: $250.00 (this includes one bag of clay and a basic pottery tool kit). Class size is 6 students. Instructor: Carol Holmes-Kerr
Raku Workshops with Colette Beardall
http://www.colettebeardall.com
Tuesday October 15th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Rain date Thursday October 17th) Tuesday October 22nd 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Rain date Thursday October 24th)
Cost is $50 per person with a minimum of 6 people. Maximum of 10. This is a full day workshop. If you have bisqued items ready to go and want to sign up please send me an email at ColetteBeardall@rogers.com or call me at (613) 821-9649 for further information. If you need your clay bisque fired there will be an additional charge and it must be delivered to me at least one week in advance of the Raku class, dry and ready to fire. You may bring 3 pieces no larger than 8 deep, by 8 inches high, by 8 inches wide. Extra charge will also apply for larger pieces and/or more than 3 pots. Get together for a ladies birthday, office team building, etc…You get your group together and give me a shout! All glazes, brushes, special effects (horsehair etc.) and finishing materials are supplied. A waiver must be signed and I will send you a list of what you need to bring and how you need to dress. Bring your own lunch and lots of water!
**Please note that I have an animal rich hobby farm, so if you are allergic, please be aware of this fact.
Pinecroft
www.pinecroft.ca
Harlan House
Making dishes for ourselves….A weekend workshop by Harlan House RCA, November 2-3. Cost $150 plus taxes. For further information phone 519.773.3435 or email pinecroft@amtelecom.net
Call for Artists for the 2013 Figureworks Award Show
Figureworks.org is a not-for-profit organization promoting art of the human form. Figureworks is calling artists in all media to participate in its fourth annual juried award show from November 19 until December 1, 2013 at Saint Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, 310 St. Patrick Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
AOE
ARTPRENEUR Ottawa 2013, Saturday, October 19, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shenkman Arts Centre. Purchase tickets in-person at: Any Wallack’s Art Supplies location, Shenkman Arts Centre, guest
services. Ottawa School of Art, Byward Market and Orléans Campus
Fusion
http://www.clayandglass.on.ca
Pottery and Glass Show 2013
October 5, 6: Saturday 8 am – 5 pm
Wychwood Barns
601 Christie Street
Toronto, ON, M6G 4C7
www.wychwoodbarnscommunity.ca
Carnegie Craft 2013
Carnegie Gallery in Dundas is receiving applications for their biennial exhibition which showcases excellence in craft on November 1-24, 2013. This province wide juried exhibition is open to both emerging and established professional craftspeople. Material categories that will be considered by the jury include ceramic, wood, textile, metal, glass and mixed media. Prizes include: $1,000 for Best in Show, two $500 Awards of Excellence, and five media-specific awards. For application and more information, please visit: http://www.carnegiegallery.org/news/ Applications due: Oct 26, 2013
FUSION Magazine Feature Artist Column – Student Applications
FUSION invites submissions for the magazine column that will feature one student clay artist and one student glass artist in the winter issue. Applicants should be currently enrolled in a post secondary institution for ceramics or glass or have graduated in 2013. Applications due: Nov 10, 2013
Bruce Cochrane’s “Conceal/Reveal” Oct 3 – 27
David Kaye Gallery 1092 Queen St W, Toronto, ON Meet the artist Saturday, Oct 5, 2-4 pm For more info, please visit: www.davidkayegallery.com
RBC Emerging Artist People’s Choice Award
Presented by the Gardiner Museum, the 3rd Annual RBC Emerging Artist People’s Choice Award recognizes the artist whose work receives the most votes from the participating public with a $10,000 cash prize. This year’s nominees are Robin DuPont (British Columbia), Michael Flaherty (Newfoundland), Monica Mercedes Martinez (Manitoba), Amélie Proulx (Quebec), and Linda Sormin (Ontario). See the artists’ work on view at the Gardiner and cast your vote from September 3 – October 13 at the exhibition or online at: http://www.gardinermuseum.on.ca/exhibitions/rbc-emerging-artist-2013 Awards Reception: Tuesday October 15 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Call for Entry
Opportunity to represent FUSION in the Craft Community of Canada section at the One of a Kind Show & Sale Spring, 2014
The One of a Kind Craft Community of Canada is a section where art and cultural institutions partner with the show to provide complimentary booth spaces for emerging artists to launch their careers. This section is open to individual artists who have never participated in the One of a Kind Show before and have graduated from a craft institution within the past 5 years. To be nominated by FUSION, please contact the office with a letter of intent and follow the guidelines for submission. For application details, please visit: www.oneofakindshow.com/toronto/apply.php, Applications due: Oct 10, 2013
Call for Crafters for the Friends of the Farm
CRAFT & BAKE SALE To be held Saturday, November 2, 2013 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Building #72, Arboretum, Central Experimental Farm, East off Prince of Wales round-about, For further information: 613-230-3276, www.friendsofthefarm.ca, Charitable Number 118913565RR0001