The Canadian Clay Symposium - A Brief History
The first Canadian Clay Symposium was held at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in 2000 as a millennium project. It was based on the model of a one-day seminar put on by Malaspina College (organized by John Charnetski) in Nanaimo, B.C. held annually from 1975-1985.
By popular demand, after a 15 year hiatus, this event was re-configured and re-introduced by the Canadian Clay Collective.
The CCC is comprised of volunteers whose backgrounds include professional ceramic artists and educators, working together with city staff from the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Initially, 10 B.C. Pottery Guilds contributed funding and support to resurrect the Symposium.
Both the Potters Guild of B.C. and the North-West Ceramics Foundation played key roles in backing the event.
Through registration fees collected in 2000, continued support from the City of Burnaby and Shadbolt staff and volunteer assistance from the CCC, we were able to finance the 2nd Bi-annual one-day Symposium in 2002 and another in 2004. After 2004, due to the labour-intensive nature of the event, it was decided to move to a triennial event. "Surfacing" was held in 2007 and the 5th one "Aesthetics 2010" is currently in the planning stage.
Each time, national and international artists and speakers have been invited to share their expertise with students and professionals in the ceramic arts. The topics of presentation cover academic and theoretical topics, as well as providing more practical techniques in areas such as sculpture, handbuilding, wheelthrowing, glaze and firing technology and clay bodies.
These topics are addressed through numerous simultaneous presentations of lectures, demonstrations, slides, critiques, panel discussions and a topical keynote address. Theoretical presentations involve discussions of literature on the medium, including history, contemporary practice and trends in the ceramic arts.
In connection with the symposium, pre and post event activities include expanded workshops with the presenters at various locations throughout the province, as well as gallery exhibits within the lower mainland.
The mandate of the symposium is to provide a forum in which both professionals and students can gather and participate in an educational environment. Exposure to a wide variety of local and international practices, aesthetics and expertise fosters heightened awareness and furthers both technical skills and knowledge of the craft.
design by Linda Lewis 2008 photos by Tanis Saxby for the Canadian Clay Symposium