The changing colour of leaves and cooler temperatures typically signify fall’s arrival, but the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre is marking the change of seasons with a display of pottery artworks.
“Autumn Inspirations” is an exhibition featuring fall-inspired works of the Moose Jaw Pottery Club. The display kicked off on Sept. 5 in the Cultural Centre’s art gallery and runs until Wednesday, Oct. 25. Many artworks are only for show, while some are available to purchase.
The exhibition features various pieces from the pottery club’s 16 members, who range from beginner to advanced and who produce hand-built and wheel-thrown items of all sizes.
Many artworks contain visuals of leaves or nature, including a mixed media serving tray composed of pottery, gold wire and tree branches for handles. There are also ornaments with designs that capture the movement of leaves falling.
The members usually exhibit their works once a year at the art gallery, and since last year’s display occurred in the summer, they thought it would be great to hold an exhibition in the autumn so they could focus on a different theme, explained member Lisa Parker.
“We’re very excited to be doing it. It’s a great way to promote us as a club; it shows what we do,” she said. “It shows the talents of the club members, and I think that’s great for the City of Moose Jaw to know that we have talented people in our community.”
Parker has been creating pottery for seven years and started by taking a hand-building class through the club, followed by several wheel-throw classes; she now creates pieces using both methods.
“Doing pottery is very relaxing. It lets those creative expressions out. They have a very calming influence on your life,” she said.
Parker enjoys using the finer, porcelain-like clay to create artwork, while her style focuses on the texture and applying “washes,” a mineral-type liquid similar to a glaze that she applies and then wipes off.
Besides making artwork, she has also taught people for the past three years how to create artwork using the hand-building method. This has been a good experience — “I love the teaching aspect of it” — because it’s a great feeling to help people express their creativity and ensure the clay reveals their efforts.
Further, she enjoys interacting with other potters and is excited when someone wants to learn more.
“It’s important (for people) to know that the Moose Jaw Pottery Club members are proud of their exhibition and we find it a great privilege to display our work to the city,” Parker added.
Pottery classes
Parker is leading an introductory hand-building class on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Cultural Centre starting on Oct. 25.
Students will work on platters the first evening, followed by small bowls on Nov. 1, mugs on Nov. 8, a trio of Christmas trees on Nov. 15 and glazing techniques on Nov. 29.
The cost is $200 and all supplies are included. There will be no make-up classes if participants miss a session.
The club also plans to hold wheel-throwing classes soon for beginners and intermediates.
“We have a wait-list all the time … for classes (and) we have a wait-list for membership. Pottery has become very popular in the last few years — it’s taken off,” said Parker. “… (It’s) nice, but when you have 16 members, it’s hard to keep up.”
That demand is good and it’s great that people want to try it, she added. It is harder than it looks, but it’s still great for people to do it and express their creativity.
Visit moosejawpotteryclub.com to register for classes.
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