Village Squire, 1976-11, Page 14potters wheels and can work at their own pace. They work
away, talk to each other or listen to the radio.
They've developed too, a good relationship with the other
potters in the region, and the number seems to be exploding.
Where only three to five years ago there were hardly any local
potters, now there are several and night school pottery
courses and other lessons are turning out more all the time.
Until a few years ago, Addy explains. there were very fe‘v
places to train as a potter. If you wanted training before you
had to figure on having to travel. Now, however. many
colleges are training potters and many professional potters
are teaching amateurs. Still. she says, there doesn't seem to
be any danger of flooding the market.
If you're going to be a full-time potter. she says, you have
to sell your work. If it doesn't sell, you have to get out. You
have to be able to produce for the wholesale business to be
able to make a living. That means working quickly and with
consistent quality.
The difference between professional and amateur potters.
Rob says, is that matter of consistency.. Some amateur
potters' pieces may be every bit as good as a professional's,
but others may not be as good. There's a continuity and
rhythm needed in throwing pots. he says and you keep this
rhythm by working regularly while the amateur, working only
now and then, may lose the rhythm.
There is little competition between potters as compared to
other fields of art, they say. Most potters are willing to share
information with other potters just learning.
While they've quickly come to know the other people in the
area engaged in their own craft, they've had trouble meeting
people sharing their other interests, Rob says. He's an avid
wine maker, for instance, and would like to form a wine club,
but so far hasn't found many people who are interested. He
also loves theatre and remembers how in Toronto -e group
would get together and choose a play for the evening, divide
up the parts, and do a reading. He's gone as far as to
advertise for people interested and had little response in his
area.
Still, with turning out pots by the hundred, fixing up the
working area, renovating a house and raising his own food,
one gets the feeling his hours might be kept quite full even if
he doesn't get his other projects going.
If you want to make
v
everything you do better,
start by
making yourself better.
panncipacrmn
The Canadian movement for personal fitness
Fitness. In your heart you know it's right.
12, Village Squire/November 1976'
/he dothes
closet
go gaucho!
go everywhere,
go smashing
in your roomy,
gaucho pants,
smart bow blouse
and striking
vest.
36 North St. GODERICH
524-8572