Snow Catcher Arch

Here is the snow catcher arch just outside of the classroom (with the pizza over just behind it).  With all of the snow that we've had lately, it is certainly doing its job.

In other news, we bid a fond farewell to Leanna Carlson today.  She is off to work at Medalta, and will eventually make her way back to her home in BC.  Rumour has it she is looking to employ a student over the summer to help her out in her studio…  Huge thanks go out to her for the work she did in our studio as our artist in residence, and the help she gave to the ceramics students.

Undersea Garden

Wondering what an undersea garden done up in ceramic materials might look like?  Until Wednesday, stop by the College and check out the Learning Gallery to see the second-year ceramics class's take on this project.  We used a quarter-section mould to create the amazing creatures you see.

Come collect your Tiles!

First, the tile exhibition is down from the Learning Gallery.  So... if you were one of the students that was involved, please come by the ceramics studio to pick up your tiles.  We do have extra boxes and wrapping material around so it will be easy enough to package up your piece.

Next, the ceramics studio is happy to host Leanna Carlson as our resident artist.  She is working on developing interesting clay bodies using unique local and international materials.  Be sure to drop by and say hello.

The next artist talk for ART 101 will be on October 21 at 7:00 in the Margaret Parsons Theatre.  The visiting artist will be Jason deHaan.  This lecture is free and open to the public.

Finally, the APA has an online survey, and if you complete it you can enter to win one of four memberships for this upcoming year:

"WIN 4 FREE MEMBERSHIPS
The Alberta Potters’ Association has been representing the interests of Alberta clay artists since 1968. Since that time the industry has undergone many changes. We have heard from some of our members that some of these changes are good and some are not, so now we want to hear from everyone involved in ceramics, from clay artists of every persuasion: functional, sculptural and everything in between; teachers, educators and administrators involved in ceramics; gallery owners, clay suppliers and retail businesses. We want to hear from you!
Tell us what you think and what you need to make this a successful industry in Alberta.
Our strategies for 2014 and beyond will be based on your answers. This survey is seeking general information initially to determine broad stroke needs, and then with further discussion with you, focus in on detailed strategies.
PLEASE TAKE OUR SURVEY " - APA

Really? Summer is over?

Alas... it is that time of year again, the trees are changing colours, the days are colder and shorter, and most of us are back in class or the studio.  It is going to be a full fall, and here are some events worth taking in:

Alberta Art and Culture Days - For this year's events, the ceramics department at the college has put together a recreation of the tile exhibition that went on this summer for Red Deer's Centennial at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre.  The small show is presently set up in the Learning Gallery, which is located on the East side of campus in the Centre for Visual Art.  If you did not get a chance to see the show when it was at the Kerry Wood, here is your chance to see what the second year students put together as their Centennial Project.  Also, downtown at the City Centre Stage, Larry Reese has a display of his paintings in the Gallery.

(Look at the cool shadows!)

If you are free tonight at seven (Sept. 30th), there will be an artist talk given by Ronald Kostyniuk as part of the visiting artist lecture series at the College.  He is a sculptor and a faculty member at the University of Calgary.  This talk is free and open to the public, and will be held in the Margret Parsons Theatre at RDC.

This upcoming weekend is the annual 1000 Miles Apart Ceramics Conference!  This year the event is being hosted by ACAD and thus will take place in Calgary.  If you are interested it is open to the public and runs Thursday through Saturday.

And lastly Daniel Anhorn has a show going on at the Harris-Warke Gallery downtown.  Dan is one of our studio technicians at the College, and this is a great chance to see the kinds of work he creates.  His show, Brave New Worlds, Bold New Plans, will have its opening reception on Friday, October 4, from 6-8.

ART in the GARDEN, Summertime!

The Summer Edition of the ART in the Garden Show & Sale is upon us.  The exhibition will run on Saturday, July 27, from 2:00 - 7:00 PM.  It will be held at 58 College Park Drive, in Red Deer (note: this is near the intersection of Timoty Drive and 30th Avenue).

There is free admission to the event, and you are welcome to come and enjoy fine art and craft in a lovely garden setting.  If you have any questions about the event, they can be directed to Marlene Kallstrom-Barritt (403-346-6235).

Our esteemed graduates....

Here's some quick tidbits on our recent grads from the two-year visual art department at Red Deer College:

Emily Thompson made the front page of the paper on Monday with a project working to combat negative vandalism in downtown Red Deer.  She is working to paint murals on buildings in hopes to discourage vandals from tagging walls.

Mia Riley is being featured in the Alberta Craft Councils' Coming up Next show.  The show runs from June 20-July 27.  Leah Spagrud and Janet Peters (past students from RDC) are in the show, and a previous technician/visiting artist/student from the College, Julia Rayne Shumacher is also displaying some of her work.  You can check out the exhibition in an online form here.

We also have Summer Series going on at the College for the month of July, and a bit of August.  I know of quite a few students lucky enough to attend.  I am incredibly jealous of those taking part in Julia Galloway's class.  If you are interested in taking part, there is more information available here.

If you hear of anyone else that should be featured here, please pass along the information.  I would be happy to do a quick write-up and post it on the site.

Tiles!

Hopefully this will make it out to most of the students that were in the second-year ceramics class who produced tiles.  Please feel free to pass this post along to anyone else you can think of.  The Centennial Show for Red Deer, Points of View, has come down.  Above you can see a lovely panoramic picture that I tried to take of all the tiles.  Well, most of them.  There were a few sets that we had on the walls as complete sets by themselves.  The tiles are now all at the College, waiting to be collected.  There was some interest from the public in purchasing some of the sets, but I have yet to hear back with any definitive requests.

If you would like to collect the tiles before September when the College is open for regular hours, please let me know via email (carlene.larue@gmail.com), otherwise they will hang out there until you can pick them up in the fall.  I have extra postcards for the exhibition, as well, if you are interested in collecting one of those for your C.V. or personal scrapbook... if you have one of those... because it would be totally cool if you did.

Ann-Charlotte Ohlsson update

In the most recent issue of Ceramics: TECHNICAL (#36), Paul Leathers details Ann-Charlotte Ohlsson's recent residency at Red Deer College.  We were very fortunate to have her work at the college last year as she was generous in sharing her wood-firing knowledge and time with students.

The article documents some of her pieces made using the quarter-mould technique, as well as the firings that took place.  Paul Leathers has his photography of her works accompany the article that he wrote.  This is definitely worth a pick-up if possible.  I know that the Red Deer Chapters store does carry this magazine on occasion.  You can also purchase it online as a digital copy at a discounted rate here.

Points of View: River of Light Show

Hey, remember that tile project?  Or for those of you in the design fundamentals class, the barrel project?  It's up and on display at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre in the Marjorie Wood Gallery!  Neato!  We put together an exhibition consisting of the tiles, the barrels, photos of the maquettes of barrel sculptures, as well as a powerpoint given to us by the Creatmosphere Team documenting the progression of the River of Light project.

It's on now until July 6th.  There will be a closing ceremony on July 5th from 6:00-8:00PM.  There will be some attendees from the Centennial Committee, and there will be refreshments served.  It will be a really good event.  It is also a great chance to see your work in a professional show.  This really is an opening for the Ceramics and Design classes, so it would be great to see all of the artists out for the evening.

We will be packing up the tiles and pieces on the 7th, and bringing them back to the college.  If you need to collect them immediately, email me at carlene(dot)larue(at)gmail(dot)com.  I can try to help arrange a pick-up.  Otherwise I think that we can store them at the college until classes start up in September.

Hope to see you all there!

The Works Festival in Edmonton

I'm terrible at updating this thing, my sincere apologies.  So this week, and right up until July 4th, the Works Festival is happening in Edmonton in the downtown/Churchill Square area.  It's a great place to visit, lots of good art, okay art, and um.... shopping carts?  (You'll have to visit to see that piece).  But this year is really special as Mia helped the Ceramics Club team up with VASA (the University of Alberta's Visual Art Society) to create a show for this year's Works festival, entitled 'Human Energy: A Capacity for Fellowship'.  If you are interested in seeing some amazing ceramic pieces from a few of this year's grads, and, um... me, then check it out in the Stanley A. Milner Library, Site #5, in the Edmonton Room.  If you head down the stairs on the right-hand side once you come in the main doors and turn left at the bottom, you should see it.

Our Red Deer College students participating include, Mia Riley, K.T. Furness, Kaleb Romano, and Carlene La Rue.  Above I've attached a picture of Kaleb's piece.

The Works is one of MANY festivals that happen in Edmonton over the summer.  It's a great chance to attend and support the arts community, gather some ideas and inspiration, and absolutely support collaborations between our College and other post-secondary institutions.

Off Centre Show

If you are interested in attending for free, there are some new opportunities of working a few hours towards publicizing the event around town and earning your admission.  For more information about the symposium and being about to get in for free, please contact me through this blog at rdcceramicsclub@gmail.com.

Medalta

So... short notice, but if you are interested in doing a residency at Medalta... now is your chance!  The application process is pretty simple, and will need to have your submission postmarked by April 15th (Monday!).  You can find out more about the residency and opportunities on Medalta's website.  Here is some information from Aaron Nelson:

APPLY! Spring is here, the snow is gone and our residency deadline is days away.  April 15th is the deadline to apply for the Medalta International Artists in Residence Program. There are so many things happening in the studio in the upcoming year that you will not want to miss out.

We have already confirmed visiting artists coming from the US, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Scotland, and Australia. These artists will supplement our core group of full year and permanent artists in residence.

2013 RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE 
There are four opportunities that are available. Click on the links below for more information.
Full Year Residencies  
June @ Medalta
July/August @ Medalta
Flex Residency 

If you're ready to apply, fill out the application form.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,
Aaron Nelson
 
Artistic Director
Medalta International Artists in Residence Program
aaron@medalta.org
403.529.1070 

Aaron NelsonArtistic Director
Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District
713 Medalta Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada T1A 3K9
p. 403.529.1070                e. aaron@medalta.org                 f. 403.580.5868

Art in the Garden

Phew... there is a lot going on this week.  So the last event is the Art in the Garden Show and Sale happening this Saturday, April the 13th, at Parkland Garden Centre.  Some more information from Suzanne Le Beau:

Art in The Garden 
Spring Show and Sale
9am-5pm
Located at
Parkland Garden Centre
(3 miles East of 30th Ave. on Hwy 11, Red Deer)

Enjoy shopping amongst the sights and smells of Spring, come see the Artisan's captivating paintings, ceramics, photography, jewelry and more. While listening to the rhythmic sounds of musicians.

For more information contact:
Suzanne Le Beau at 403-342-6344
or Email "Spirit of Art Group" at artgroup@hotmail.ca

Typecast @ the MAG

Please come out to the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery tomorrow night (April 11th), at 7:00, for the opening of this year's Visual Art Show!  It looks pretty fantastic, (I did labels... so if they are crooked.... um...) and there is a lot of strong work in the show this year.  The new space was slightly smaller than that of previous years, but it has been well used and the show is very cohesive.  And there is food!  It's being catered by Red Deer College students in the culinary arts program.  There is also a new exhibition for Red Deer's Centennial, which will be opening on Sunday, April 14th at 2:00.  The opening evening is always a great time, and it's a fantastic chance to come out and support all of the hard work that has been put in by students over this past year.  Many students are continuing on to other institutions, so this may be your last opportunity to see some of these gifted artists.

Ceramics Courses at the University of Manitoba

Here is another update about some great courses going on at the University of Manitoba.  These classes are non-credit and will be taught by Robin Dupont (who is a crazy-good thrower and wood-firer).   The classes go throughout May and have a class limit of eight.  This would be an amazing experience, and with the small class sizes, you would have a lot of time to work with the instructor.  You can get more information on the courses through email fine art@cc.umanitoba.ca, or by calling 204-474-9367.

Off Centre at ACAD

Just a little bit more info, the Off Centre show and seminar at ACAD will be going on May 10 and 11.  If you are interested in going you can still email me a five hundred word essay on spreading ceramic arts within Red Deer, or you can purchase tickets here.  Tickets are 65/student for the weekend, and 120/non-student.  You can find more information about the show and events here.

MagSparks!

Okay... so this isn't really related to ceramics, BUT it is an exhibition that I am involved with, and I thought it would be great to advertise the show on this site.  The MagSparks program will be having an exhibition of work by its members at the same time as the year-end college show at the museum.  Their work is a collection of self-portraits done in the style of Modigliani.  The opening for the show will take place Wednesday, April 10th, from 1:00 - 3:00 at the museum in the Stuart Discovery Studio.  It's a great program that runs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 and allows many people access to a studio space, equipment, and teaching, who would otherwise would not have it.  Please come down and show your support for these kinds of opportunities for art within the community.

AFA Calendar

Ever wanted to model for a calendar?  Nope?  How about your work?  The AFA is putting together a thirteen month Canadian Art Calendar to benefit charity groups working with poverty.  The group, Artists for the poor, will be selecting one image from each province and territory.  If your work is chosen you will be given $50 and a calendar.  For more information, you can check out their site here.  For the application you will need to send five low quality images (72 dpi) to info@artistsforthepoor.ca. Include a short bio, the province you hail from, and include the word 'Calendar' in the subject line.  Applications are due May 18th.  Good luck!

Raku at Deb's!

Phew... last post.  On Saturday, April 6th, starting at 9:00, Debbie Wilson will be hosting a raku firing at her place.  It should be a pretty swell time, it's with the Red Deer Pottery club, which will be some great fellowship and an opportunity to learn more about the club.

There are maps in the ceramics classroom, or you can ask Trudy for directions.  If you are planning on coming, there will be some glazing time set aside on the 5th at the college, so bring your pieces then.  There will be soup for lunch, and Debbie is hoping to do a potluck at dinner so bring out your best dishes.

Some more tips:
- bring a respirator
- bring a lawn chair and any drinks you might need during the day
- wear natural fibre clothing and good shoes

Hope to see you there!

Gramma Link Chili Bowl Sale

This is still a long way off, but it's never to early to start preparing.  Gramma Link, a charity group in Red Deer, is working with the Stephen Lewis Foundation to help support grandmas in Africa who are struggling to raise their grandchildren, who have been orphaned by AIDS.  It's a really great cause, and for the past couple of years the Ceramics Club has donated thirty bowls for each event.  If you are interested in helping out apart from the group, please contact Charlene Peel (char.peel@gmail.com) or Diane Assinger (ricdiane@telus.net).  The event takes place in October, but I know that they are more than willing to accept bowls at any time.  Make your grandma proud and donate some bowls!

Harcourt House Art Market

On May 25th from 1:00 - 7:00, the Harcourt House in Edmonton will be hosting an Art Market Show and Sale.  In order to partake you will need to submit:

- a bio (200 words)

- a proposal of the work you will bring (100 words)

- five images

- a phone number

- an email address.  

Your work needs to have been created since 2011.  The call for submissions is due April 20th at midnight, and successful applicants will be notified.  You can send your submission to marketsubmissions@gmail.com.  The price to partake is $100/full table or $50/half table.  More information can be found here.

Wood Fired Ceramics and Kiln Construction at the U of R

This spring and summer the University of Regina will be hosting a wood-fired kiln building class.  You will learn how to create a kiln, have the opportunity to create pieces for the firing, learn to properly fire the kiln, and learn more about wood-fires both historic and contemporary.  This class will run from May 7th to June 20th, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 - 3:45.  For more information you can visit the University of Regina's website.

VASA and the Works 2013

Call to enter! A VASA Exhibition in the Works Festival open to all BFA students at all levels. A collaboration with Ceramics Students from Red Deer College!

VASA & RDC Ceramics Club 
A Call to Enter:
CAPACITY FOR FELLOWSHIP
A collaborative project for The Works Festival 2013

The Works Art & Design Festival 2013

The Visual Arts Student Association and Ceramics Club from Red Deer College are collaborating on an exhibition to be presented at the Works Art & Design Festival this summer. The show runs during the Works Festival from June 20th to July 2nd (and possibly past these dates). The theme of this exhibition is physical, mental and communal energy, working within the confines of the Works Festival Theme, which is Human Energy. This is an open concept theme, which can be interpreted in many creative and unique ways. You have probably already created work that fits within this theme.

Submission

You are invited to submit work to this exhibition, which will be juried by the Visual Arts Student Association Executive Committee as well as students from the Ceramics Club at Red Deer College. Any member of VASA (BFA Student at U of A) or student enrolled in the ceramics program at RDC is eligible to apply. This application is open to both 2 and 3-Dimensional work, including video or installation pieces, however; due to the limitations of the exhibition space, some works may not be able to be displayed. For this reason, please submit a variety of images, up to 3 in total, 150 dpi jpg, burnt to a CD. If you are submitting a piece that includes video or sound, please include a copy of the video file, capatable for both mac and pc. If you will not be able to pick up your submission package after the selection process, provide a self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage so that your package may be returned to you. In the case of an installation piece, provide a detailed description of the set-up and space required, as explained below.

Please provide the following information on a typed visual key in your submission package:
1. Title
Artist name(s)
Dimensions
Media
Inventory number that corresponds to the file name of the image
Any special requirements for display. For example, for video works, should they be projected or displayed on a screen? For unframed paper works, would you like them hung on the wall? For sculpture, do they need a plinth or are they displayed on the floor? 
Also, please include:
- A short artist statement (150 words)
- A Bio
- This form, completely filled out (ATTACHED)

All applications should be submitted in hard copy form at the U of A’s Art & Design office in the VASA mailing slot (located in the Fine Arts Building) or directly to Mia Riley by April 26th at midnight.

If you have any questions please email Cara at uofavasa@gmail.com or Mia at mia.riley@rdc.ab.ca.

- Cara Alex Seccafien

SHOW US YOUR MUGS! at Medalta

Medalta in Medicine Hat will be hosting their first annual international cup show from August 23rd to September 28th.  Carole Epp, the creative writer behind the musing about mud blog, will be jurying the mugs, with a select number being featured on her blog!  Some awards and prizes will also be distributed to chosen artists.  This is a great opportunity to showcase and potentially sell a small sample of your work at an international show.

The due date to apply is May 30th, you will need to fill out a short online application form and submit a twenty dollar application fee.  If you are wondering about eligibility, be sure to check out their website for specific information, but they seem pretty open with what counts as a cup.  It can be sculptural or functional, must consist of at least 50% fired clay material, and should address the idea of 'the cup'.

Good luck!

Art in the Garden Show and Sale

On Saturday, April 13, from 9:00 to 5:00, the Parkland Garden Centre will play host to an art show and sale.  Suzanne LeBeau has been putting together these shows for several years through the Spirit of Art Group.  This year's show includes painting, ceramics, jewelry, and photography and there will be several local musicians on site.  The hosting locale, Parkland Garden Centre, is located on Highway 11, 3 miles east of 30th Ave in Red Deer.  For more information you can contact Suzanne via phone (403-342-6344) or by email (artgroup@hotmail.com).

Curious VI - 3rd Year Show

You know those three people who are always in the ceramics studio?  They aren't part of your class, but they are always there, sometimes working.  Are they homeless?  Are they lost?  Maybe.  But it's more likely that they are part of the third year program at Red Deer College.  The third year program gives students a chance to return to the studio environment and work on their own self-directed projects within a post-secondary atmosphere.  If you've ever wondered exactly what we are doing and why we are doing it, your questions will all be answered during our third year exhibition called CURIOUS VI.  There's even a website listing the students who are involved.  Just click the title.  Neat.

The show will be held at the new gallery space in downtown Red Deer, which I believe is called the City Centre Stage Gallery.  Our opening and one night only show will be Friday, April 5th, 2013 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.  Shawna Sikstrom will be catering the event.  It will be a really exciting exhibition to be a part of and well worth checking out.

Update about Off Centre

The Alberta Potter's Guild is willing to sponsor ten RDC students so that they can attend the conference at ACAD May 10th and 11th.  The requirement for this is a five hundred word essay on ceramics in Red Deer and your ideas on how to make clay more prevalent in the community.  I can send along your essay through the ceramics club email, or you are welcome to contact the APA directly.

Monument by Paul Boultbee

A view through the glass

New Artists at the 7 Window Galleries

CALGARY – EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts is thrilled to present three local artists who will showcase photography and sculpture in the 7 Window Galleries.

Targeting the imagination and perception of scale, Hakan Temuçin presents a photographic interpretation of natural landscapes in an Ordered World. Tim Westbury shares Ball & Stick, prints that create a twenty-four panel installation focusing on the legacies of scientific rationalism and the reintroduction of methods of inquiry now rendered obsolete. Paul Boultbee’s sculptural installation Monument speaks to memory and permanence and the need to leave something behind.  

The artists were selected by a panel jury with the aim of promoting critical dialogue and to introduce patrons and passersby to new artistic practices supported by EPCOR CENTRE.

Title:  7 Window Galleries

Location: EPCOR CENTRE Window Galleries   (across from Max Bell Theatre)

Dates:   April 5 – June 24, 2013 

- Kerri Savage

For those of us working in ceramics, you have probably seen Paul Boultbee around the studio.  He also works at the Red Deer College's library and is heavily involved with the arts around Red Deer.  He has been creating tube-like sculptures that are sawdust fired.  His pieces are cumulating in the show at the Epcor Centre in Calgary.  This is a fantastic opportunity to support a fellow Red Deer artist and I would highly recommend visiting his show while it is up.  Paul is also wonderfully welcoming and will happily discuss his work with you if you catch him around the studio.

Off Centre: the APA Clay Symposium

By Monika Smith
President, APA

Join us at the Alberta Potters Association Clay Symposium, May 10-12, 2013.

On May 10, 2013, ACAD will be opening its doors for the Alberta Potters' Association (APA) Clay Symposium.  "Off Centre" will offer workshops on Friday in the ACAD Ceramics studio, talks on Saturday in the lecture hall and a juried show at the Webster Gallery, downtown Calgary.  The board of the APA invite you to take part and attend this exceptional event, which will satisfy both the serious clay artist in search of new ideas and directions and those who are interested in the broader art world.

Submissions for the APA May 2013 show Off Centre are now open.  This juried show will take place at Calgary's Webster Gallery in conjunction with the 'Off Centre' Symposium.  Works included in the show will reflect the open-ended concept of what it means to be "off center".  Please contact show co-ordinator Connie Cooper at conic@albertapottersassociation.com for more information.

Conference Presenters and Itinerary:

One of the workshop demonstrators and speakers on Saturday, May 11 is Steve Grimmer, an educator from the University of Manitoba, known to ceramics college students through his participation in 100 Miles Apart, an event that circulates through four Western college that have ceramics programs: Red Deer College, ACAD, University of Manitoba and the University of Regina.  (The next one is at ACAD in the Fall of 2013 and an invitation is extended to all community members to attend at no charge... stay tuned!)  Grimmer will demo his recent work that uses 3D modelling and rapid prototyping as a creative and production tool for studio artists.  He will bring some moulds for slipcasting, plus press moulds and leather hard casts for assembling and decorating.  Grimmer will also discuss and demo surface design strategies using stencils, stamps, and transfers.  In his lecture, Grimmer will talk about his background and use of mathematics, along with design, Islamic tile, and architecture in his pottery practice...

You can read and download the full PDF here.

Monika Smith has also informed me that the APA is working with ACADSA to enable students to attend for free, provided they write a short essay on how they would increase the visibility and familiarity of ceramics within the community.  The group would be willing to extend a similar benefit to students of Red Deer College - 

Students are welcome to submit a 500 word essay that is a "challenge to students to come up with ways of making ceramics more visible in Red Deer!  Tell us why ceramics and craft is important in Red Deer and Alberta.  And, then show us ways to help market and promote the clay arts in Red Deer.  We're looking for concepts, ideas, directions and plans to get us on the mental maps. Events, sponsors? How to make friends and influence? These ideas could be important to the growth and development of the Alberta Potters' Association and we do wish to hear the opinions of students--the upcoming artists whom we wish to help in their careers as emerging artists once they leave RDC.

"Let those creative and entrepreneurial juices flow.

" We'll gladly meet with students to talk to them about their thoughts and take serious consideration of ideas that can be developed through the APA!"

- Monika Smith

Lacombe Art Show and Sale

On April 19-21 Lacombe will be hosting their annual art show and sale.  This year their theme is Encore: Annual Sale and Celebration of Creative Expression.  This is a very popular event and if you are looking for a fantastic venue to sell or show your work, you should absolutely consider this opportunity.  For more information and registration forms, you can visit Lacombe's website here.

Greg Payce Wins Governor General's Award

Greg Payce, a long-time ceramicist and instructor at ACAD, has won the visual arts Governor General's Award.  For more information you can check out the article in the Calgary Herald or watch the video made for the event on youtube.  This is an amazing honour for an artist to win, and it's wonderful that it went to such a talented ceramicist.  Congratulations, Greg!

Off Centre

On Friday, May 3rd, to Saturday, May 25th, the Webster Gallery in Calgary will play host to the Off Centre Show.  The Alberta Potters Association will be hosting this show as well as the Off Centre Symposium at the Alberta College of Art + Design on May 10th and 11th.  There will be a reception on May 10th at 6:00 pm at the Webster Gallery (812 12Ave SW).  If you are interested in submitting work or have questions, you can find more information here. 

Fleur Schell at ACAD

This Monday (March 11) we will be travelling down to ACAD to visit Fleur Schell as she gives a three hour demo on her hand-building techniques.  There are several vehicles planning to leave from the ceramics studio at 8:30 with the intention of arriving at ACAD by 10:00.  If you are interested in coming along, feel free to sign up in the ceramics studio.  There is a list of vehicles going on the white board at the back.  Also Trudy has arranged for a tour to visit all the different studios in the school beginning at 2:00.  If you are interested in attending ACAD in upcoming years, this would be a great opportunity to get a first-hand look at what the College has to offer.  There is a sign up for this as well in the ceramics studio.  

Ceramics Club Contact Information

If you are interested in joining the club, or are looking for more information and are unsure of who to ask, please email us at rdcceramicsclub@gmail.com.  Also, if you are part of the club and want to have something featured on this site, send it along to the same email and likely we will have it posted, or contact you for more information.  Things that we feature can include your work, shows, exhibition or residency opportunities, cool stuff, and other ceramics related miscellany.   You are also welcome to stop by and ask questions or drop off any promotional items you would like featured.

A quick thank you

A heartfelt thank you goes out to those involved with the set-up, running, and take down for the Artist-in-Residence show at the College on February 15th.  It was a wonderful and well-attended event, and a fantastic send off for our artists.  Thank you also to Stacey Cann, Jennea Frischke, and Julia Shumacher for sharing your work with us and being involved with our studios at the college.

Residency Opportunity

Here is a little more from the Wood Buffalo AIR program.  

2013 Artist in Residency - Call to Artists

Good Afternoon,

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, located in northern Alberta, has an exciting opportunity that we would like to share with you.

The 2013 Wood Buffalo Artist in Residency program will host two studio locations including both McMurray and Anzac. The residencies include dedicated studio space (with no associated fee) commencing on June 5, 2013 in Fort McMurray and July 31, 2013 in Anzac. Artists in the program will take part in an artist talk (15-20 minutes), open-house demonstrations, and have the opportunity to display their artwork in a group exhibition held in Fort McMurray.

We invite visual artists who are Canadian residents to submit a proposal before Friday April 12, 2013 at 4:00PM (Mountain Time).

Please visit Wood Buffalo Artist to learn more about this project and the call to artists.

Please share the attached information with your group and anyone you think would be interested. Thank you very much for your time.

Sincerely,
Brandi Gartner
Culture Coordinator
780-743-7994

NCECA

If you are considering attending the 47th NCECA in Houston this year, a quick heads up as the early registration deadline ends February 27th.  The conference this year is focusing on Earth/Energy and will take place in Houston, TX, from March 20-23.

Also, a really neat bit of info, Mary Haasdyk (completed the two year program at RDC and graduated from ACAD) has her donation listed as one of four cups of merit from last year's show in Seattle.  You can check out the power point featuring her piece here.

Ai Wei Wei

Reel Movie Mondays at Galaxy Cinema in Red Deer is screening a documentary about Ai Wei Wei called Never Sorry on March 4th at 7PM.  Ai Wei Wei is a social activist and artist working in China.  His work has resulted in his studio being destroyed by the Chinese government as well as his imprisonment.  He was the runner-up as Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2011.  If you are interested in checking out the film, you can get tickets at the Red Deer Museum in advance and at the student rate of $8.00, or at the door for $10.00 (cash only at the door).

Cupcakes! March 4th!

What is better than delicious cupcakes?  Free delicious cupcakes!!!  Come to the ceramics classroom on March 4th between 12:00 and 12:30 for free delicious cupcakes!  We will not be selling you a time share, but instead will try to convince you to join the ceramics club.  But why would you want to spend your shrinking amount of free time helping out a club devoted to mud?  Excellent question!

1. We have cupcakes.
2. We also have potlucks, a pizza oven, and movie nights.
3. Sweet field trips.  Seriously.  We have gone to Seattle, Regina, Winnipeg, Calgary, and have had opportunities to go to Houston and Florida.  These places are waaaaay better than that trip to the local ranch in second grade that resulted in a life-long fear of horses.
4. Portfolio help.  If you want to really impress post-secondary institutions and have a better shot at grants and residencies, those pictures of your incredible pieces that you took on your flip-phone while they were in a storage closet that one time are not going to work.  We can help out.
5. Support.  Need friends?  So do we.  And we totally aren't scary.  Or horses.
6. Money!  We host several sales a year.  This means you can sell your works for cash.  And you can exchange money for goods and services.
7. C.V. or resume filler.  Is your curriculum vitae lacking?  There are several opportunities for shows and volunteering for a club looks great on your resume.
8. Cupcakes?
9. Insider information.  Are you looking to do some residencies?  Maybe you need help applying and looking for grants and scholarships.  There is a wealth of opportunities within ceramics.  Use us!
10. Honestly... if you asked five-year old me what I wanted to do when I grow up, eating chocolate bars and chips, staying up really late, and playing with mud probably would have been my top three.  In ceramics you too can live the dream!

Ceramics club can do all this and more for you!  Check us out on March 4th at lunch in the ceramics classroom to see if ceramics club is right for you.

1000 Miles Apart

The Red Deer College Ceramics Program will host the annual 1000 Miles Apart conference in Fall 2014.  This conference was first organized in 1989 by faculty and students from the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg and Red Deer College, Alberta. The distance between the institutions was the origin of the name 1000 Miles Apart. Participating institutions later included the University of Regina and Alberta College of Art + Design.  Each year the conference is organized collectively and rotates to a new host institution for that year.  It provides an excellent opportunity for students and faculty to meet and network, and creates a valuable forum to develop and strengthen the ceramics community in Western Canada.  Members of the public, along with University of Regina, ACAD, and University of Manitoba, students and faculty from nearby Ceramics Programs are also invited to attend the conference events.

- Trudy Golley

Artist In Residence Show @RDC

From 3:00 to 6:00 on Friday February 15th there will be a showcase of the works of the Visual Art Department's artists in residence.  This exhibition features emerging artists Julia Schumacher (ceramics), Jennea Frischke (sculpture), and Stacey Cann (painting).  Their works will only be on display Friday afternoon.  Everyone is welcome to visit the Learning Gallery at Red Deer College, refreshments will be provided.

Residency Opportunity

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is hosting an artist-in-residence program for early to mid-career artists.  The month-long residency would require you to host a fifteen minute artist talk on your work and have your studio space open to the public at a pre-scheduled time.  This residency may also include some instructional opportunities.  Check out their website for further details and methods to contact those overseeing the program.