October 23, 2002 – The Chronicle, Montreal’s West Island community newspaper

Claycrafters mark a half-century

BY BARBARA LAVOIE

A large part of marking the 50th anniversary of the Claycrafters, the first association of potters in the West Island, is having the work of several of their members selected and exhibited at Stewart Hall Art Gallery from this Saturday through to November 24.

"This is a very big deal for us," said Evelyn McHale, the club's president. "We've had juried exhibitions in our own studio, but we've never ever had an exhibit in the gallery."

Claycrafters was started by the late Mada Bolton and five other women who met in her basement and founded the group in 1952. Membership grew quickly and within a year the group rented space and held its first exhibition and sale. By the time Stewart Hall Cultural Centre was established in 1961, the group was at least 100 members strong. They requested space in the new facility and that same year took up residence in the basement creating a permanent studio, acquiring wheels, kilns and other equipment and expanding their activities. Today, the group has 34 members who support and finance their activities including the maintenance of the fully-equipped studio, their annual fall sale and retail showroom.

"The Claycrafters are very much a part of the Cultural Centre. We open our studio to the public to hold demonstrations, give children's workshops and lessons to beginners on how to throw clay and participate in the Centre's open houses," said McHale.

Joyce Millar, gallery director, noted, "We're very happy to be part of the group's anniversary celebration. Several pieces by 10 clay artists were chosen for the exhibit, along with a piece made by Iva Adjukovic, a member of the group who recently passed away." Adjukovic, a former Beaconsfield resident and member for more than 15 years, she had specialized in the Japanese method of firing known as, Raku. She had built her own home kiln and shared her knowledge of the art with other members.

The work of artists, Ava Miletti, Irene Holmes, Francoise de la Mare Papion, Annamarie Thomas, Edna Sharp, Leslie Selway, Ljusica Vezjkovic, Louise Bedard, James Schissler and Evelyn McHale will be on display.

Often considered a craft done by artisans, rather than a true art form, pottery, which dates back to the early Egyptians who discovered that clay could be fashioned into bowls, then fired to make them waterfight for household purposes, has become an artistic outlet for two members of the Claycrafters.

When McHale retired from teaching elementary school more than 10 years ago she looked for something to fill her time. "I had always admired pottery, so decided to give it a try," she said. "I find it a highly enjoyable pastime. You can take it lightly or take it seriously and it's a great excuse to wear old clothes and get dirty," added McHale. One of her pieces, a square bottle with blue ash glaze, was chosen for the exhibit.

Ulla Siboo, 63, the group's secretary and a Claycrafter member for more than 30 years, derives a great deal of satisfaction from working with clay. "It's a lot of fun and something that is hard to give up. Lots of people stay with it a long time." She added, "It has given me the possibility to do something lasting and tangible, to make something useful, as well as beautiful to look at."

Everyone is invited to join the Claycrafters in celebrating their 50th anniversary at a vernissage this Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Art Gallery. Meet the exhibiting artists and discover that clay has evolved from just mugs and pots into innovative and aesthetic works of art. Visit their fall sale to be held in their studio this Friday from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call Stewart Hall Art Gallery at 630-1254.