Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Alberta Vistas: Lake", plainsman M370 by John Robertson

Of his current work, Robertson says: "I am attempting to produce post modern art. It is not enough for a piece to just be, the piece must have some meaning or interpretation that is inherent in the piece, and independent of myself, the maker."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Patio Flower", plainsman M390 by Jane MacKay

MacKay says: "Piercing is always exploratory. The lack of glaze simplifies the message. This is a project of patience!"

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Chinook", stoneware by Ed Bamiling

Bamiling says: "I wondered how I might reference the wind while using components which are very much of the earth. Winters can be long in the Rockies, but one of the mitigating forces to it is the Chinook wind, which blows (relatively) warm air and car raise the temperature by 20 or 30 degrees in a matter of hours. It is often accompanied by a Chinook Arch, a very distinctive band of cloud stretching across the sky, with a definite leading edge to it."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Holding the Light", porcelain by Darlene Hare

Hare describes her process this way: "My piece was inspired by looking at footage of paper lanterns being lit and release to slowly gloat up into the night sky. As I watched and sensed the serenity, i envisioned siting amongst many time ceramic lanterns, lit and nestled within a small quiet area of one's garden - on a quiet still night; evoking that same magical sensation."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Cherry Cup", earthen ware with Majolica glaze by Darlene Swan

Swan says: "I enjoy making functional pottery that will be fun to use, as well as visually appealing, when not in use. Much of the inspiration for the decoration comes from my love of colour and of gardening."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Dark Receptacle No. 1", stoneware by Corrick Woodfin

Woodfin says: "I am particularly influenced by Simon Leach. The simplicity of form of his bud vases, in particular, was a starting point for this piece. In addition, the hand building and precise finishing of Aldo Marchese are influential."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Soft Yellow Box", porcelaneous stoneware by Connie Pike

Pike describes her influences: "A love of detail and drawing are the major influences on my new work, which focuses on using texture and line."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"What We Remember #1", porcelain by Connie Cooper

Cooper says of this work: "'What We Remember #1' references the bronzing treatment of baby shoes! On a deeper level, the piece grew out of concern for how we impact the world around us, the diminishing numbers and the extinction of some species. It is literally a bit dark. It is intended to remind ourselves that we are part of a collective environment, and that how we act or fail to act makes a difference."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Snow Fence in Autumn" by Carolyn Howard

Howard is inspired by "...the Alberta scenery with open fields and fence lines; the rolling hills of wheat and snow and the delicate nature of our environment."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Alberta Vistas - Winter Scene", M370 clay by John Robertson

Robertson says of this series: "For my current work I am attempting to produce post modern art. It is not enough for a piece to just be, the piece must have some meaning or interpretation that is inherent in the piece, and independent of myself, the maker."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Bowl", porcelain by Teresa Gagne

Gagne describes her process: "I find bowls meditative to make and I enjoy how trimming transforms them. Influences are my fascination with vapour firing, surface treatments, the appreciation of a lovely crackle pattern and the seductive nature of porcelain."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Bedevilled", plainsman clay by Heather MacDonald-Sorochan

Of this work, MacDonald-Sorochan says: "The piece is a continuing exploration of the human face - expressions and emotions as well as, the challenge of articulating this visually."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Rockfall", varied stoneware by Ed Bamiling

Bamiling describes his process this way: "I am enormously affected by my physical surroundings and am partcularly drawn to rock, the textures, colours, formations that emerge over time through the forces of wind, water, and earth movement."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit! 

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Not Performing Up to Full Potential", facetted stoneware by Susan Thorpe

Thorpe says: "I use the clay to imitate the earth from which it came. I work from a solid block of clay, struggling to spontaneously remove each textured facet; to appreciate what has been left behind and to resist corrective altering."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

Untitled, porcelain & slip cast by Elizabeth Burritt

Burritt describes her work this way: "My work is informed by my surroundings and the aesthetics of the landscape around me."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Horse Relief Tile", Karen Dormaar

Dormaar has been working with ceramics for ten years, having studied under many instructors and mentors from her local guild and at numerous workshops. She enjoys sculpture as well as functional pottery.

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Lickin Pickin Chicken", Andrea Revoy

Revoy describes her work this way: "The ceramic pieces I make are inspired by events of things that I see and hear around me everyday that make me smile and laugh. Whether it is my ceramic sculptures or functional work, they become captivating delights for the hand and eye."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Prairie Sunset", Verna Allison

Allison says: "Pit firing can yield remarkable decorations on the clay. Vibrant and colourful designs result from flames carrying fumes and chemicals unto the surface. Each piece is unique."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Blue Rim Basket", Priscilla Janes

Of her sawdust firings, Janes says: "Sawdust firing involves subjecting a bisqued piece of clay directly to the elements of fire. Exciting, random, and spontaneous patterns, mostly in black, white, and grey but sometimes in yellows, reds, oranges, and greens, are produced through this primitive, simple firing process."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Clay Scape", Julie Anne Hage

Hage has worked as a potter and raku artist for 30 years. Her love of strong line and colour make a bold statement wherever her pieces are displayed.

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Myth and Magic Sipping Cup", Auvery Reid

Of the process, Reid says: "I am exploring more hand building of functional pieces and I love to stamp, carve, and play with the surface. I am influenced by graphic design and images like woodcuts."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Tar Sands Disposables", detail, Louise Cormier

Cormier describes her work this way: "The form reflects the influence of Japanese sources and Canadian artists working in this direction such as Robert Froese. The surface treatment, in this case, is influenced by printing and mixed media traditions, as well as, the narrative as a form of social communication."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Mayan Artifact", Alice Switzer

This piece is part of an ongoing study of historic and cultural styles and forms using handbuilt methods.
"Mayan Artifact" is also part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Alberta Vistas: Barn", John Robertson

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Male Torso", Keith Turnbull

Turnbull says, "My goal is to creat figurative sculptures that portray people in all their diversity...I especially like to work from live models who are representative of the diversity of population, and who themselves are interesting people who enjoy the creative atmosphere of the sculpture studio."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Dialogue in Black and White", Deborah Williams

Williams describes her process this way: "I am inspired by the natural creation around me. It invokes an ancient primordial sense of antiquity along with newness of life that never ceases to amaze me. And so I create works of art with this in mind. Creating this book has brought me great joy."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Interlace Wall Pillow", Paula Cooley

Cooley says: " My Interlace pieces have a number of influences including illuminated manuscripts, Islamic tiles, Art Nouveau, and Celtic knotwork."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Lidded Jar", Joe Reid

Of his work, Reid says, "...I am inspired by the shapes and textures found in my own yard and across the countryside. The ridges and patterns of cultivated fields, the sharp angles of the machines that work them, the granaries that hold the crops, the farming lifestyle shapes my work."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Drinking Vessels", Bab Barclay

Of this work, Barclay says: "Influential in this work are Friendship Goblets (one ring for friendship, two for weddings)."

This piece is part of Alberta In a Box: Wide Open, a juried travelling exhibition of whimsical and elegant clay work by 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association. The show runs until April 14 with a closure on April 6 & 7 for Easter. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4 pm. Drop by for a visit!

Alberta in a Box: Wide Open

"Inhale" and "Exhale", Astrid Kruse

Visual Arts Alberta unveils the juried travelling exhibition, Alberta In A Box: Wide Open tonight, March 1 from 7:00-9:30 p.m. Join us for a celebration of this whimsical collection of ceramics from 39 members of the Alberta Potters Association who were challenged to create work that would fit into a 6" cube. The show runs in both galleries until April 14. The Visual Arts Alberta Gallery is open Wed-Fri 10-4 and Sat 12-4. We are closed April 6 & 7 for the Easter holiday.