We were all sad to learn that the Herman Venema studio would be closing after operating in the Fraser Valley for 50 years. Herman has been an inspirational teacher to area potters, offering classes in a large well-equipped studio, with the use of cone 10R glazes and firings in a huge gas kiln. He built an elegant retail gallery on the upper floor of the converted…
On Saturday December 20th Alan and Eliza came out to Abbotsford with me for the excitement of opening the latest salt kiln firing. Alan took lots of candid shots of our work and reactions so I'll just add an album below. We had lots of good ideas to share and inspiration for the next firing. There's also a link to a new Picasa album of…
Fraser Valley Potters' Guild's Annual Juried Show is being held at the New Westminster Art Council Gallery in Queen's Park, New Westminster this year. The Opening Reception and Awards Presentation took place last Sunday June 8th. http://www.fraservalleypottersguild.ca/index.php The Guild has been operating since 1975 when a number of us students who were taking classes at then Douglas College (now Kwantlen College) founded the club.…
I do enjoy the drive out to Matsqui Prairie for these occasional salt firings at Herman Venema's country studio. The mountains you see to the North as you drive over the Pitt River bridge, reflected in the river, are spectacular. And further on, near Ruskin, there's Mount Baker, seemingly just across the Fraser River. When I arrived Herman and Dave were ready to start work,…
It was worth the wait! Alan came out with me to Abbotsford for the kiln opening and most of today's photos were taken by him. Sadly Nora's daughter Isla developed a strep throat so Nora couldn't join us. I've brought her pieces home and she'll get them soon. The photos into the kiln show three stages of the opening. They're useful for us to have…