Celia Rice-Jones, two-cup teapot and mugs, porcelain.

The Celia Rice Jones Legacy Award, affectionately known as “The Celia” was initiated in 2025 by Keith Rice-Jones to honour his late wife, Celia Rice-Jones. Celia trained in the UK in the Leach/ Cardew traditions at the Loughborough College. She taught pottery and exhibited in the UK before relocating to Canada. In 1988, she and husband Keith Rice-Jones set up Wild Rice Studio in Burnaby, and, though they have been studio partners for over three decades, they have distinctly different practices. Celia was known for her graceful throwing and her handsome and functional pottery, which has been exhibited in many galleries around BC. In 2018, Keith and Celia were recognized by the Craft Council of BC with the Hilda Gerson Award for their exemplary volunteerism and professional practices.

2025 Recipient
Alan Burgess

Criteria for Award:

• This is an annual cash award given to a potter whose work reflects Celia Rice-Jones’ commitment to finely made functional ware.
• In her words, “my aim is for each piece I make to have a presence of its own, to invite being picked up and handled, and to stand quietly while waiting for use.”

Awards Committee:

• One NWCF Board Member
• One BC resident who is working in clay and is a senior practitioner
• A recognized authority on BC ceramics arts – curator/writer/critic etc. (this person could be from outside the province)

Award: $1000

• Conditions of Award: None
• Presented at a NWCF Fundraising event.
• ​Recipient is expected to produce a short presentation (in any format) to be delivered when and where award is presented.