Detail: Ceramic Grouping by Samantha Dickie.

    
​Fired Up! Ceramic Artists: Contemporary Works in Clay

​THE SHAPE OF WILD 

Now postponed until further notice
​When Fired Up! core group and special guests reinvent the Shape of Wild.

The 36th annual show and sale at Metchosin Community Hall,
4401 William Head Road.

Participating Fired Up! 2020 artists are Vin Arora, Alan Burgess, Samantha Dickie, Sandra Dolph, Mary Fox, Sandy Harquail, Gordon Hutchens, Cathi Jefferson, Meira Mathison, Kinichi Shigeno and Pat Webber. Guests artists are: Sarah Leckie, Charmain Nimmo and Ellen Statz.

2020 News Flash: Two Fired Up! potters receive Life-time Achievement Awards! 

Since Fired Up! 2019, two members have received major awards: Alan Burgess and Gordon Hutchens. In Nov 2019, Hutchens received the Creative Achievement Award of Distinction, Carter Wosk Award in Applied Art + Design from the BC Achievement Foundation. His work was part of the public exhibition curated by Sam Carter at the Roundhouse November 23-27, 2019. ​BC Premier John Horgan wrote to Hutchens: “Through your fantastic pottery, you have used your passion and creativity to enrich the lives of your fellow British Columbians, making you well deserving of this prestigious award."

ALAN BURGESS

GORDON HUTCHENS

Alan Burgess is another award winning potter. In 2018, Burgess received an Outstanding Contribution to the Arts award from the Comox Valley Art Gallery. In 2020, Burgess received a Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Canadian Clay Symposium in March, 2020. The symposium was scheduled for March 21, 2020 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby. Mary Fox, known for her classical forms and exquisite glazes, is one of the presenters at the Canadian Clay Symposium. Cathi Jefferson, one of the symposium founders, hosts a week-long workshop called Firing: Brush & Fire at the Shadbolt Centre March 17-23. (Due to Covid-19 the Symposium was postponed until March 2021)

CATHI JEFFERSON

VIN ARORA

CHARMIAN NIMMO

​Fired Up! was founded in 1984 and is proud to be a vitally active group 36 years later. The original members of Fired-Up! had an important objective: to connect community with the diverse world of ceramics. This appears to be gaining success, as shown by two recent Achievement Awards. Past exhibitions include the Canadian Clay and Glass Museum in Waterloo, Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery in London, and two US conferences hosted by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.

Vin Arora is a newer member of Fired Up! And brings an eclectic energy to the pottery group. The Emily Carr graduate is a teacher and technician at Place des Artes. His bright and whimsical creations show at Kingsmill Studio Pottery on Granville Island. Look for Arora’s mugs, bowls and bakeware at the show, this year featuring an earthy palette. “An invite to join Fired Up! was one of the highlights of my career,” he says. “Each member brings their unique gift to the pottery world of BC.” ​

ELLEN STATZ

SANDRA DOLPH

SANDY HARQUAIL

Sandra Dolph’s home studio is on Gabriola, one of the Gulf Islands. She draws inspiration from the parkland trails, coastal beaches and sculptured sandstone formations. These natural wonders are reinterpreted in her monumental vessel shapes. Her themes often arise from nature, incorporating plants from the forest and gifts from the sea. To celebrate The Shape of Wild, Dolph adds another creation to her Goddess series. Her Sea Goddess is three feet tall, rising out of the ocean festooned with aquatic creatures. ​

Fired Up! Is Sandra Dolph’s favourite pottery show and sale. “Patrons come to see what’s new in the ceramic world,” she says. They expect to see the quality and level of expertise that makes Fired Up! a Mecca for collectors. “The guest potters provide fresh new energy,” she says, “and are happy to be showing with such talented and committed colleagues.” Dolph appreciates the feedback she gets from visitors at the weekend event. She’s always interested to hear comments about her latest creations.

SARAH LECKIE

MEIRA MATHISON

MARY FOX

VIN ARORA

PAT WEBBER

SAMANTHA DICKIE

KINICHI SHIGENO

Fired Up! thanks their generous and ongoing sponsors in 2020

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Web Design, Content and Selected Photos by Kate Cino
arts writer published in Focus, Yam and Boulevard. 
History in Art degree & Public Relations certificate
from the University of Victoria
​
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​kate-cino@shaw.ca  250 598-4009