Setting up the auction in the Mayer Studio
That Pottery Thing. . ., the North-West Ceramics Foundations’ first online auction concluded on September 30, 2021. Given Covid-related restrictions, we were unable to hold the larger in-person event as planned, but we were able to gather with the Board, event volunteers, and a small group of long-time NWCF supporters for a “Covid-Safe” evening. The live-streamed webinar connected us to the wider ceramics community, making it feel like a real party.
Although the event was planned and scheduled long before September 30 was established as the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we were mindful of the significance of the day and the importance of reflecting upon the painful experience of Residential School survivors. The proceedings were opened and closed by Dr. Carol E. Mayer calling our attention to the importance and meaning of the day.
The webinar included short talks and videos about our various charitable projects including bursaries, scholarships, ceramics at MOA, the Speaker Series, and the NWCF MW Award of Excellence. A special display of Jinny Whitehead’s work honouring her contribution to BC ceramics was accompanied by a tribute presented by Jinny’s husband Gordon. A video produced by the Dusty Babes provided entertaining insight into the workings of this amazing local ceramics collective.
Display honouring Jinny Whitehead’s contribution to BC ceramics.
Auction items and guests.
Throughout the evening, guests and collectors from across Canada bid on the beautiful ceramic works donated by BC’s premier ceramic artists on display. In all, over 300 bids were made on the 60 works, making it one of our most successful and engaging auctions ever. To see the lineup of auction items, please click here.
The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the NWCF Mayer Wosk Award of Excellence, presented to Robin DuPont from Winlow, BC. Robin was selected by a jury of Glenn Lewis, Jackie Frioud, and Board member Mary Daniel, from a pool of nominations solicited from ceramists across BC. The quality of the nominations was outstanding, indicating the depth of the talent pool in our province, but Robin was selected by unanimous decision. For more on Robin DuPont, please see our blog entry.
Dr. Carol E. Mayer (left) and NWCF President Debra Sloan (right) present NWCF MW Award of Excellence to Robin DuPont.
This event could not take place without the generous support of the BC ceramics community, who donated unique ceramic plates and exciting works of art. We thank them for their unswerving support. The evening was kept lively and informative through the expert hosting of CBC’s Sheryl MacKay. We would also like to thank Holly Truchan and Roger Mahler of the Mayer Studio for providing support and space for our auction and webinar; Skooker Broome for doing such a beautiful job setting up the auction items; Jasper Sloan-Yip for being our technical guru, and Tatiana Povoroznyuk for her excellent work as our videographer for the evening.
The NWCF also thanks Galleries West for helping to publicize our auction.
Thank you all!
