Best of Show, 2009 London Potter's Guild Show and Sale

By Laura Tetrault, Special to the Daily Post

Editor’s Note: As a former resident of Chatham now residing in London, I asked Laura to cover the London Potter’s Guild Holiday Show and Sale with a Chatham-Kent perspective in mind. Take a peek at this pottery exhibition through her eyes…

Do you like a good story? If you do, drop by 664 Dundas St. London and explore the art of the London Potter’s Guild at their 27^th Annual Holiday Show and Sale.  When you pick up a piece of pottery, you touch an artist’s soul. Each cup, medallion, sculpture or bowl contains hours of passion and thoughtful consideration. They are for form and function, but these beautiful items are also representative of relationships and stories. Even the clay has a story.

All pottery starts as clay, the two main varieties are red or white. It can be flattened and coiled, or thrown on a wheel, or moulded with fingers. Then the fledgling pot can be scraped, scored, patterned or buffed smooth. After this rigorous treatment the clay is gently moved to a safe place to rest. When it has had a day or two to relax on the shelf, the little pot gets fired.  In the face of such stress it is not a surprise to see that the pot has paled and is a little more brittle than before.  Our hero is then off to hair and make-up for a selection of fine mud treatments (called slips) to smooth out nerves, or perhaps over to get a glaze of colour put back into its’ cheeks or  get a new image transfer. There are so many treatment options at the art spa that almost anything can happen. Now our once rather blocky clay is beginning to feel like a new pot. But rest is not quite within reach. Back into the kiln for another round of being put through the fire. Everyone says it is good for your character anyway, and it makes you dishwasher, microwave and oven safe. After being in for hours at thousands of degrees, what’s another hour at 350 as long as you easy your way into it?

Andrea Vuletin

Many of the pieces at the show are functional and are meant to be baked in or served with, but there is also a large selection of decorative pottery with finishes that range from soothing and subtle to dramatic and bold. There are pieces with drawings and carvings, jewellery pieces, pieces that have taken their colouring from smoke and ash falling on their surfaces, others that sparkle with a metallic shine unique to Raku, a Japanese method for creating colour. There are items made from paper clay and pottery that was embellished using Spanish moss, horse hair, sugar and floor wax. If you are still wondering if this is just a cup and pot show consider the following choice debate: serving tray or birdfeeder?

Now you know the story of the clay, it is time to give you a glimpse into the story of the artists.

Pat and Tyson Ball

Pat Ball and her husband, Ron, have made clay a family affair. Now the grandkids come over to play in Grandma’s shop where she, her husband and her son, Tyson, all practice their distinct art forms and try to avoid inserting themselves into one another’s projects too much. Raku is a favourite way for art to be finished in the Pear of Potters’ studio. It is used to add metallic sparkle on many things, from pendants to vases. Pat and her son collaborate on unique jewellery that is reminiscent of the South West, he moulds the main clay forms and she adds the embellishments – feathers, beads, and all things designed to attract the eye.

Beth Turnbull Moorish

Out of the guild’s one hundred members, 40 artists are participating in this year’s show. Several have ties to Chatham-Kent including Beth Turnbull –Moorish, Andrea Vuletin and Chris Snedden.  Beth’s pieces are warm and inviting with friendly recipes written on the insides of autumn coloured bowls and serving ware.

Whimsical little ants and flowers grace Andrea’s light coloured creations. Chris, who is enthusiastic about pushing the boundaries of his art, also teaches and alternative surfaces class for adults during the summer at St. Clair College. To see the work of Beth, Andrea, and Chris locally, pay a visit to ArtSpace for the Process=Product show running now until Jan 2.

Chris Snedden

Opening night the venue was packed with people who love pottery, who appreciate the comfort of enjoying a hot coffee in a favourite mug on a lazy Sunday morning. The 27^th annual London Potter’s Guild Holiday Show and Sale runs from November 27, 28, and 29 and if you are looking for gifts that are relational, fun, unique and thoughtful you need to pay these potters a visit.

For more information, visit the London Potter’s Guild website at http://londonpottersguild.org/