Tam Irving, Emergence, 2016, stoneware, underglaze, slips, clear glaze over stucco over wood shelf. overall width 72.4 cm; bowl: 29.2 x 23 x 15.2 cm
The Tam Irving Honorary Award of Recognition (“The Tam”) was initiated in 2025 to honour an important teacher, artist, and founding member of the NWCF in 1993. Tam Irving is a ceramicist, sculptor, painter and studio potter. He taught at Emily Carr University of Art and Design from 1973-96. He has exhibited and published widely, and has been a tireless advocate for the promotion of the ceramic arts in British Columbia. In 2025, he received the Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest honours, established in 1967 to recognize outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. It is very fitting that the be named after him.
2025 Recipient
D’Arcy Margesson
Criteria for Award:
- A triennial cash award to a senior BC studio potter working in the “traditional” forms of wheel thrown and vessel-oriented pottery.
- In recognition of perseverance,
- respect for quality of work
- has contributed to BC ceramics over many years.
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: $5000
- 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.
