What a busy week Tony Clennell has had since arriving here in BC a week ago today! After horrendous flight delays from Ontario he stayed in Vancouver, at Fredi’s, the first night. Then he spent Tuesday at Shadbolt Centre preparing for the Wednesday start-up of his Wood-firing workshop, and wound up chez McMillans that night. We’ve hardly seen him since except for the odd meal and for him to sleep!
We were tied up on Friday so couldn’t get to his free public lecture that evening. I’m sorry to have missed that as I know lots of friends would have attended. But just maybe Tony will take a little time one evening before he heads back home to show Alan and me his power point!
Friday and Saturday were ‘firing the Train kiln’ days so the team were the train gang. After finishing that with good temperatures, hopeful expectations and pizza-kiln cooked pizza galore a very tired Tony reappeared at our house on Saturday night.
But he was off with the lark again on Sunday morning and on this day Al and I did manage to get over to Shadbolt Centre to catch some of his Wheel-throwing demonstration day. I took a couple of photos of Tony finishing off the final pieces. The day before he’d thrown three parts for a fine tall pitcher and a teapot with lid. Today was mainly a ‘handle’ day. Mugs, two large bowls, the pitcher and the teapot all acquired signature ‘Clennell’ handles.
Because it was also a beautiful Fall day Al and I took a quick walk around Deer Lake, returning just as the workshop ended. At that point I was able to photograph all the demo pieces. I expect the techs Jay and Tony will get them bisque-fired and they’ll join the clay department’s fine collection of work made by previous workshop presenters.
There were a few finished pieces of Tony’s work for sale so I was able to purchase a small, handled wood-fired vase with, of course, an image of a little heron on its side.
When it was all over and the staff and participants had all left I was happy to have Ying-Yueh Chuang and Cheryl Stapleton join Tony, Al and me for a well-deserved beer and supper at our house in Port Moody. Again, it’s rather fun to have clay types see and admire our pottery collection.
This morning Tony was long gone when I arose. He was heading to Tsawwassen to catch a ferry over to Vancouver Island where Cathi Jefferson was to pick him up and take him to visit his old friends Robin Hopper and Judy Dyelle. He’ll stay with R and J tonight and we’ll see him again tomorrow night. I certainly plan to join him and his train gang on Wednesday for at least part of the kiln opening day.
