Studio Ceramics in Canada

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Gail Crawford undertakes the massive task of surveying art pottery in 10
provinces and the Northwest Territories, covering a span of more than 80
years (c. 1920–2005). She brings an impressive knowledge of clay work,
plus great research and organizational skills, to the project. Her style
walks a fine line between informal and academic, with strong use of
specific details to round out the cataloguing of names, dates, and
places that pack the work. Nearly 300 photos (most in colour) strengthen
the text and help the reader grasp the unique styles of the many ceramic
artists.

“Studio ceramics” is ceramic art or sculpture, usually
one-of-a-kind pieces. It can be executed in earthenware, stoneware,
porcelain, or mixed media. It can be wheel-thrown or hand-built, massive
or tiny. The artists must be knowledgeable about clay bodies, glaze
chemistry, and firing techniques, making their work a marriage of art
and science.

Descriptions of awards in the field, lists (incomplete) of established
potters practising in Canada in 2005, a bibliography, and an index all
contribute to the book’s value as a reference work. Art students, art
historians, and collectors will find the work invaluable, although
collectors are certain to bemoan the absence of the artists’ marks and
signatures.