This fall the University of Manitoba hosted the ceramics conference, ‘1000 Miles Apart’, over the first weekend in October. The event drew in many ceramicists from both Canada and the States, giving us all a chance to learn more about clay, and to explore possibilities in our chosen medium. The University played host to two demonstrators, several speakers, and a variety of social activities.
The city of Winnipeg, where the conference was held, is beautiful. Guests were treated to a historically rich downtown and a campus clearly adept at reassigning its original buildings. Wandering through the campus and downtown (amidst the occasional pub visit) visitors were fortunate to see the beauty of this historic city.
During the three days of the conference, John Balistreri and Virginia Scotchie gave wonderful simultaneous demonstrations, feeding back and forth between each other and the audience. John’s work tended to be spontaneous masses of clay sculpture, both wheel-thrown and hand-built, that he repeatedly built up and tore down, asking in the end if he would be paid either way (in the event his sculpture survived or failed); whereas Virginia’s was delicate and planned, almost entirely created on the wheel, and in the end she was even able to glaze fire a piece as part of her demonstration.
Other highlights of the weekend included a talk from Aaron Nelson on both his work and the Medalta Residency, Paul Mathiew explaining his use of decals and computer programs in his designs, Rory MacDonald demonstrating his ‘urban dentistry’ within Winnipeg, and school presentations from institutions both within Canada and the United States.
The University of Manitoba did a fantastic job of hosting 1000 Miles Apart, making it a wonderful social atmosphere connecting artists, students, and educators. ACAD students extend their thanks to the University of Manitoba for holding this event, and wish the University of Regina much luck as they will play host to the conference in October 2012.
