POTTERY RETROSPECTIVE @ THE OLD SCHOOL

Denman Island's 30^th Year Pottery Tour - Coming Full Circle Exhibition

Tom Dennis, Scott Beardsley, Marjo Von Tooren, Bentley LeBaron, Gordon Hutchens, Garnet Beardsley

     If the group of talented trailblazers above is any indication, a pioneering spirit is certainly beneficial to the artful life! On Saturday and Sunday, May 20^th and 21^st, be sure to drop by the Old School Centre (5901 Denman Rd.) for “The 30^th Year Pottery Tour - Coming Full Circle Exhibition.” This celebratory retrospective will include both new and older works from the potters pictured here who have been part of the annual tradition since its inception. It will also feature exciting new clay creations from each of the other seven Denman artists participating on the tour this spring, and an informative display complete with historic photos, courtesy of the Denman Museum!

     Did you know that evidence of pottery use by both First Nations peoples and early European settlers has been found here? Another picture in the museum collection shows a small building, “the mud hut,” constructed by Jim Kirk in the '50s for his wife Doris and her 'Denman Pottery Club.' It was the back-to-the-land movement of the '60s and '70s however that laid the foundation for the thriving community of potters that has put Denman on the map as a mecca for contemporary collectors!
      On the May long weekend you can pick up your free map for the tour out front of the Old School (available at the Buckley Bay ferry booth, too, or at one of a number of other on-island locations - Abraxas Books & Gifts, the Denman General Store and Denman Craft Shop.) You'll also find our first Farmers Market of the season right behind the Old School between 10:00 am and 12:30 pm on Saturday, May 20th. This could be the perfect place to stop for a picnic lunch or other refreshments while enroute on your self-guided treasure hunt! (click HERE for additional details!)

Visit the PAGES listed in the column on the left hand side of this blog for a sneak preview of work from each participating studio!