Last week Alan and I set off for three nights on Hornby Island, having booked a room above the Thatch Inn. It’s been many years since we last visited the island and I was looking forward to the chance to catch up with several potters in the area.
After the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and a drive north on the coastal road we took another short ferry ride over to Denman Island. Our main objective here was to find Gordon Hutchens’ studio again. Back in the seventies Gordon bought this quiet forested parcel of land and has since built his house and studio and several kilns including one of only three Anagama kilns in North America. Arriving in Canada with an upper level degree in Ceramics and a year’s experience as a University Ceramics technician he has developed an international career. He is a master thrower who is also completely fascinated with the chemistry of glazing and the variety of firings possible. Visitors come from all around the world to visit this charismatic, kindly potter and if they can’t travel to this quiet studio there are publications and videos galore available and a very professional website.
It was a quiet Tuesday afternoon and Gordon graciously took quite a while to chat with us, explaining his work routine and the large selection of all the techniques he has perfected. There are reduction-fired functional wares, including his trade-mark exuberant-handled teapots, raku pieces, crystalline surfaces, sculptures and a few salt-glazed pieces. Extraordinary work that caught our eyes were some copper red porcelain mugs and vases. He proudly told us that they were thrown with his own mix of a cone ONE porcelain and reduction-fired. Perfectly vitrified, they were!
When we discussed salt glazing he rushed off to fetch a brand-new casserole he’s made for his wife, Sandy. It’s gorgeous! The photo shows me holding it.
Gordon goes ‘off-island’ to teach an advanced level Ceramics course at North Island College at the Courtney/Comox campus in the January-April semester. He tells us that it is possible to acquire a four-year Ceramics degree on Vancouver Island in cooperation with Emily Carr University.We lamented the apparent closing of Fine Arts programming at the Lower Mainland’s Capilano College, wondering where local students who are determined to take up a career in Ceramics could now go.
Interestingly, Gordon described a brand-new ten-month Professional Potters’ programme due to start in Spring 2014. It will be based out of North Island College, with all manner of courses aimed specifically at preparing potters to start a business, including marketing their work. Included will be 3 days on Denman Island firing Gordon’s Anagama and a two-month mentorship/apprenticeship with a professional potter or at Medalta International Artist-in-Residence in Medicine Hat. The first link below is a youtube video on the Ceramics programme at North Island College, featuring instructor Allan Burgess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a55IHwAbGMU&feature=player_embedded
and this link takes you to a description of the ten-month professional ceramics programme.
http://www.nic.bc.ca/program/professional_potter_advanced_diploma
As we left Gordon’s studio he happily told us that although his son is currently training for a ‘real’ job as a plumber (and I can see that would be a very useful trade on the island) he also does throwing and is interested in his father’s business too. He and his wife have also produced the first of the next generation of Hutchens there, Rowan Bruce. (I think I got that right, Gordon?)
Thank you for a delightful visit, and as I promised I have put out the word on the new programme at the college and heartily recommend a visit to Gordon’s studio.
We drove South and in half an hour were waiting for the next short ferry ride over to Hornby Island. More about potters over there in my next blog.
Kathryn O’regan says:
“Referencing your visit with Gordon Hutchens, a number of years ago I had the pleasure of visiting his studio. Gordon is not only an amazing ceramic artist, but shares his enthusiasm, and knowledge openly with his visitors – young and old alike. I purchased one of his pieces which I highly treasure. Having been a ‘neighbour’ of Gordons during the Made of Clay events, held on Granville Island, first hand experience taught me that here is the consummate professional in every way – technique, artistry and to top it off a great person all round. Glad you had such a wonderful visit Gillian!”