HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-11-19, Page 3Wednesday, November 19, 2014 • Huron Expositor 3
Local artist offers creations in clay
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
Shelves of clay creations line the
walls of the small studio on the out-
skirts of Seaforth.
Beechwood Pottery, a Huron East
institution for many years, is the home
of award-winning potter, Robert Tetu,
whose hand -formed stoneware and fine
porcelain have found a place in galleries
and homes all over the county.
Sitting down at his potter's wheel,
carefully smoothing out the last few
details on a clay plate, Tetu couldn't look
more at home.
Growing up in Cambridge, Tetu knew
he wanted to pursue the arts, but found
himself on a slightly different path than
the one he finds himself on today.
A former student at the Ontario Col-
lege of Art and Design from 1968 to
1969, his first interest was not in pottery,
but in the world of commercial design.
"I wanted to do something artistic but I
also wanted to make a living at it," said
Tetu. "So when I moved back to Cam-
bridge, I got a job with the Galt Evening
Reporter in the advertising department:'
A year and a half later, he was head-
hunted by a local shopping centre,
which was looking for a promotions
director. After becoming the centre's
manager, Tetu found himself back in
Toronto, but this time as acting manager
of three shopping centres.
He was successful, but unhappy.
"I had a big job and a house in Toronto
at 23 -years -old," he explained, adding
even with an expense account and a
company car, a career in management
just wasn't for him. "I'd wake up each
morning with my stomach tied in knots
because I didn't like what I was doing."
Looking for a more creative outlet,
Tetu took up pottery lessons on a
friend's suggestion.
"They couldn't get me out of the stu-
dio," he said. "So I moved out here
almost 40 years ago in March of 1975
and haven't really looked back"
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Tetu is now known throughout Can-
ada and beyond for his pottery, which
can even be found in several museum
collections, including the Canadian Clay
and Glass Gallery in Waterloo.
"I try to make things that are classical
oriented - classic shapes - but very com-
fortable to use and balanced," he
explained. "When something is visually
balanced, it's usually physically bal-
anced as well so it feels good."
Twice a year, Tetu clears away the
working clutter and opens his studio to
visitors looking to find that special piece
of functional pottery either for them-
selves or as gifts. He also accepts indi-
vidual commissioned works, specializ-
ing in custom dinner services in both
stoneware and porcelain.
Beechwood Pottery's 39th annual
Christmas show and sale takes place
Nov 22 to 23, from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.
For more information, please call 519-
345-2185 or email Beechwood@cyg.net.
MPP's office seeks nominations for outstanding citizen award
MPP for Huron -Bruce, Lisa Thomp-
son, is now accepting nominations for
the 2014 Outstanding Citizen Award.
Thompson is looking for deserving
candidates who have distinguished them-
selves as community leaders and made
considerable contributions to Huron and
Bruce counties over the last year.
"The Huron -Bruce Outstanding Citi-
zen Award is an excellent opportunity to
recognize individuals who go the extra
mile," says Thompson. "These
individuals are truly the cornerstones of
our communities."
Those wishing to nominate an individual
they feel is deserving of the 2014 Huron -
Bruce Outstanding Citizen Award are
asked to describe in 250 words or less that
person's contributions to the community
and why they are deserving of the award.
Nominations can be emailed to Lisa.
thompson@pc.ola.org, sent by mail or
dropped off at the Blyth or Kincardine
constituency offices.
[ O, N ELL F Wills/Estates
Questions?
DIM
` ! 1 R ] H T 18 The Square, Goderich
Phone: 519-524-2154
926 Queen Street, Kincardine
Phone: 519-396-3636
www.donnellymurphy.com
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"I am always humbled by the
amazing things I see happen in
Huron -Bruce every day," added
Thompson. "I know there are
many deserving candidates in
this riding and I cannot wait to
read the entries"
Nominations close Nov 30, and
Photos by Whitney South, Huron Expositor
winners will be announced at
MPP Thompson's New Years
Levee at 7 p.m. on Jan. 7, at
Teeswater Community Hall.
OFFICE HOURS
The Office Hours for
The Seaforth Huron Expositor are as follows
Mondays - 9am - 5pm
Tuesdays - CLOSED
Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm
Thursdays - 9am - 5pm
Fridays - 9am - 5pm
Seaforth
IitIin Expositor
8 Main Street, Seaforth ON
PH: 519-527-0240
www. seaforthhuronexpositor .com