Last Thursday I attended the opening of the latest show at the Gallery of BC Ceramics, ‘Traditions’, featuring the work of two Vancouver artists who share a studio, Ron Vallis and Martin Peters. These artists are traditional studio potters in the Leach tradition, hence the show’s title I’m sure. Together they have assembled a pleasing selection of jugs, plates, teapots, vases and lidded jars, all glazed with comfortable temmoku, celadon and other familiar stoneware glazes and fired in a reduction-fired gas kiln.

The opening was well-attended by many of the Lower Mainland clay community, so it was a happy couple of hours. As usual I took photos of the work in the show and of the people there. You’ll recognize lots but I won’t add names.

I already own two Vallis plates, from Oven and kiln events, so this day I bought a fine little side-handled jug to accompany them. Of course I can’t bring it home until the show ends on November 1st.

Ron explained that his favourite piece in the show is a large platter with several grey and greenish glaze colours across it. He pointed out that it is actually part of a new series in which he has introduced figurative references, and I could see that there’s an elegant curving hip defined by slip and paper resist. That plate and many others already sported a red sticker. The collectors of traditional pottery were out in force for this show.

I didn’t find a chance to talk to Martin Peters but you’ll see him in some photos. Ron held one of his favourite belly vases for his picture.