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The Ottawa Guild of Potters 2012 Spring Exhibition was held at the Shenkman Arts Centre in April during the Annual Spring Sale.

The juror, John Ikeda, works from his studio in rural Ontario.  An artist-potter, he is well-known for his bright coloured earthenware functional pieces and tile creations. In selecting the work for this exhibition he looked for emotional content and technical competence. John Ikeda appreciated the serious exploration and execution of the chosen works. His comments on each of the awarded pieces are indicated under their photos which follow.  He sees a potential for further aesthetic risk-taking and development. To all potters, consider this a challenge for your next creations!

 Best in Show: Johanna Jansen
 Simplistic sensuous surface treatment upon simplistic form, is a classic  objective. 

 Best for Use: Jen Kamerads

 Functional proportion, physics of utility, attention to detail of  interrelationships thereof combined with overall esthetics.

 Best of Expression:  Bruce Jones

 An individual interpretation of a classic form, while maintaining  functionality. Angularity of form and viscous glaze surface is a strong  contrast and ambitious complexity.

Best Decorated:  Margaret Ann Capper

Classical execution of slipware design technique, applied to a purely decorative form;  appropriate and contemporary.

 Honourable Mention:  Monica Rosenthal

 Simplistic form is appropriate ground for methodical graphic treatment.

Fusion Award:  Debbie McLeod

Classic competence in form and surface treatment, balancing control and unpredictability.

Ontario Crafts Council Award:  Jean Jaffe

Appropriate scale and strength of form, variation in thematic iconography.

Juror’s Choice:  Suzanne Snook

This was a small unobtrusive functional bowl which could be very easily overlooked for a lack of drama. The glaze surface was smooth to the touch but ordinary.  The overall effect was very quiet and almost unnoticeable, were it not for the lyrical slip work and rim.  It was yet another stolid, well made, unremarkable, competent pot, that one could live with forever without noticing, and enjoy its presence continuously and thoughtlessly.

Thank you John for sharing your insight and inspiration. To learn more about John Ikeda and view his works go to: www.ikedastudios.com

In addition to these Awards one more is given, The People's Choice Award. During the Exhibition a ballot was available for the public to select the piece that they appreciated the most.

People’s Choice: Margaret Ann Caper

It has been an amazing winter and in studios in the greater Ottawa area artist-potters are inspired in the process of creating in clay. Soon it will be spring and along with sunshine and new growth comes a must see Art Exhibition and Sale showcasing the Ottawa Guild of Potters. The Vernissage begins the event at 6:30 pm on Thursday April 12. This is an excellent opportunity to mingle, meet the artists and enjoy complimentary refreshments while viewing the Exhibition. John Ikeda is the Juror for our Exhibition. John Ikeda has a B.A. in Fine Arts from University of Lethbridge, is a master potter who has received numerous awards, and sells his collections world-wide. The Sale runs from Thursday through to Sunday with over 40 artist-potters displaying one of kind sculpture, functional and decorative vessels, and more created to enhance your home and life.

Community Partner

This year's Sale was another huge success and a testament to all the hard work by the Co-ordinators of the event: Klara Bruehlmann, Ann Rae and Sandra Marshall. They did an tremendous job of organizing, managing and hosting the 2012 Great Bowls of Fire. The following letter written by the Co-ordinators is a thank you for all those who helped make this an exciting and enjoyable event.

Dear Guild Members: 

Thank you especially to

• Everyone who donated bowls and auction items.  Without your    offerings, there would be no Great Bowls of Fire!
• The volunteers who helped on the day of the event.
• Sarah Hand once again allowed us to store our bowls in the Capital Pottery warehouse and the use of her credit card connection. She picked up and returned the sound system.
• Anne Chambers photographed the bowls for the poster and progamme
• Shirley Lawrence identified grocery donors, who gathered those items donated by merchants
• Klara Bruehlmann and her kitchen team kept food and drink tables full, and bowls washed
• Colette Beardall, Sue-Ann Blakely  with Anne Chambers organized the auction display and background material.  
• Arthur Petch whose team set up and took down of tables and chairs, a heavy task.
• Doug Moir and others who set up and took down the stage
• Ellen Sloan with her welcoming group and ticket takers, tried to keep our customers happy
• Debbie Gilmer's bowl room group who were exhausted by the eager bowl selection queue. They were among the last to leave at night, along with the table storage group.
• Carol Badenoch identified the contributing restaurants and ensured that their needs were care for
• Ileana Tierney dedicated much time and energy in producing the posters, tickets and brochures 
• Colette Beardall and Sarah Hand who gave their time and suggestions to try to keep the new coordinating committee on track.

We also need to thank the thirteen starring restaurants, Absinthe Café, Allium, Canvas Restobar, Domus Café, Fraser Café, Il Piccolino Ristorante, Il Primo Ristorante, Restaurant E18teen, Stone Soup Foodworks, The Wellington Gastropub, Thyme and Again, and Town Restaurant. Their delicious soups kept our customers coming back for more. 

ACE Bakery, Farm Boy Hazeldean Rd., Rideau Bakery, The Joy of Gluten Free and Trillium Bakery, and the coffee by Goodie’s Fine Catering had lineups for their products.

Thanks to Ron Eade of the Ottawa Citizen who wrote an extensive article for our event, even if it was not what some would have wished.

The grocery and other supplies were donated by Costco at Kanata and Merivale Road; FreshCo  Bells Corners; Loblaws at Bells Corners and Isabella Street; Metro Bells Corners; Starbucks at Bells Corners and Pinecrest;

Superstores at College Square, Eagleson Rd and Richmond Rd.; Your Independent Grocer at  Eagleson and  Stittsville;

Derick Fage and Lois Lee kept the occasion lively for all of us and encouraged enthusiastic auction bidders.

The jazz group Some Ensemble Required led by Jim Mattson provided soothing  music while we waited for the restaurants' soups to heat up and in lulls in activities.

Other organizations that contributed include Captial Pottery Supplies, Wall of Sound, Allegra Printing Carling Avenue which donated our printed materials, Party Time and The Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group.

Three cheers for all these businesses for helping out. 

For next year, we will find ways to improve ticket distribution and the entrance protocol for our enthusiastic clients.

Thank you all for your unstinting efforts.  May we achieve even more next year!

Sculptors and potters  of the Ottawa Guild of Potters are firing their kilns with new creations, in preparation for the next Sale and Exhibition at the Shenkman Art Centre in Orleans, to be held April 12-15. Thiis a wonderful opportunity to discover the craft and talent of Ottawa area ceramicists and to meet with them.  Keep tuned for more information about these coming events.

Thank you all for your support.  We will see you on March 3rd.  

Don't miss this perennial favourite social event. Choose a handcrafted bowl made by OGP members. Then, fill the bowl with gourmet soup and add wonderful bakery bread and goods, fresh coffee, cold drinks and make yourself comfortable. Enjoy the evening listening to amazing live entertainment with the company of friends and a multitude of talented volunteers. Together, we can all make a difference, support the Ottawa Food Bank and feed the hungry.