The works of Mission potters Jo Priestley and Molly Magid will be featured in the upcoming Fibre, Earth and Fire show at the Chilliwack Art Gallery from May 18 to June 23.
Priestley is submitting nine items for the show, focusing on her raku works.
Raku hasn’t been in demand as much as her porcelain pieces because it’s not functional, just decorative, however, it is becoming popular again, said Priestley from her studio on Richards Avenue.
These days she’s been infatuated with urn shapes and has been developing it for more than a year.
“Lately, I’ve become very intrigued with a new technique called naked raku — it’s nothing but smoke and the colour of clay,” Priestley explained.
Some of the pots will feature a carbon imprint of ferns, while others will be made with horse hair.
Priestly is semi-retired and immerses herself in her work when she wants.
“I’m just doing what I love to do,” she said.
The local artist touched clay for the first time in 1969 and has been a studio potter for 35 years. She has worked with talented national and international master potters, which has given her a solid foundation to develop her own style and experiment more.
Molly Magid will be exhibiting small textured boxes at the show. She is bringing 10 of her creations to the show.
She also creates big bowls and platters, but is known for her hand-built treasure boxes and that will be the focus of her display.
Magid often combines printmaking and photographic techniques to her work, and she also enjoys experimenting with different textures.
All her work is done in her cozy studio, Mission Clay Works Studio and Gallery, in the lane between First and Second Avenues, just east of Grand Street.
Magid has been working with clay since high school and as much as she loves working, she also enjoys teaching and sharing the art with others. Her studio is open to other clay artists and she offers classes for adults, children, and seniors.
After the show in Chilliwack is set up, Magid will be the featured artist at the BC Ceramic Gallery on Granville Island in June, and in July, she will be participating in the Harrison Festival.
Other clay artists featured at the Fibre, Earth and Fire show are Herman Venema, Holly McKeen, Linda Doherty, and Ted Driediger.
Fibre artists in the show are Diane Davidson-Bastien, Maureen Goldsmith, Judith Peckham, Marie McGill, Sheila Asdal, and Judy Hurley.
The Chilliwack Art Gallery is located at 9201 Corbould St.
The opening reception will be held Saturday, May 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. Regular gallery hours are 12 to 5 p.m.
For more information call 604-392-8000.