Winter Family Potter's Wheel course correction.

“The North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre regrets that the incorrect age bracket was originally advertised for our winter Family Pottery Wheel courses in the Calgary Recreation Guide. The actual ages for these courses should read for ages 9-17yrs + Adult. We sincerely regret any inconvenience, but we must remain strict to this rule as pottery wheel work may be dangerous for children under 9 years of age.” - Aubrey Hallis, NMPAC Program Specialist

It is with great sadness that I announce to Recreation that the staff of North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre learned yesterday of the sudden passing of Bob Reimer. Bob was a beloved and long serving employee with Recreation as the Senior Ceramics Technician at the arts centre. Bob made tremendous contributions to the ceramics community within Calgary and throughout western Canada. His impact as an instructor and mentor to students at the Arts Centre, ACAD and numerous regional institutions was far reaching and unparalleled. Bob shared his knowledge and experience with a generosity of spirit that endeared him to everyone he met. He had an enormous circle of friends and was a devoted father to his three adult children and several grandchildren. Bob's legacy will resonate for years to come and he will be dearly missed. We extend our thoughts and support to his Family and to those colleagues who had the pleasure of working with Bob. Details of a funeral or memorial celebration of his life will be forthcoming.

Kurt Hanson
City of Calgary, Director Recreation

UPDATE: Bob's family is hosting a memorial at the Arts Centre on Monday, October 24th from 3:00pm-5:30pm. All are welcome. Refreshments will be provided.

Please offer tributes or rememberances at werememberbob@gmail.com or http://werememberbob.tumblr.com/.

2011 North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre Staff Exhibition

Please consider this your invitation to view the 2011 NMPAC Staff Exhibition. This year's show features the work of 23 local working artists. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy the wide array of media and level of skill on display by our very talented staff. The Exhibition will remain up for public viewing until November 5th.

Boo Bags!

JOIN US on Friday, October 28th for Halloween Boo Bags!
We’ll supply the paint and a fabulous instructor! Bags are only $10.00 each!

Spaces are limited, so call us at 403-221-3682 to register and reserve your 1 hour time spot: 2:00pm, 3:00pm, & 4:00pm - Aubrey Hallis, NMPAC Art Program Specialist

NMPAC Pottery Studio Annual Christmas Sale!

You are officially invited! Bring a friend (or two) to the always-popular annual NMPAC Ceramic Studio Christmas Sale at the Triwood Community Hall. This is a unique opportunity to purchase some of the wares of our very talented studio members.

Summer Custom Salt Firing Workshops

The North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre is fortunate to have a salt kiln. We recently have been offering classes to increase peoples comfort level with the kiln. The goal is for our participants to feel ready, with support, to take on a firing, and begin exploring the range of colours and surfaces afforded by the salt process. - Bob Reimer, NMPAC Ceramics Technician / Photos courtesy of Elan Muir, workshop participant

Raku Firing!

If you missed out on this month's popular Raku Firing course you're in luck! We are offering 2 classes for our upcoming Fall session. Don't miss out on this opportunity to experience this unique, hands on course. Enhance your creations with the iridescent colours and crackle glazes typical of raku.

To register or for more information contact Recreation Registration at 403-268-3800 or visit www.calgary.ca/arts. Photo courtesy of Sara Goodliffe (NMPAC Student)

Summer courses are now underway!

It’s another busy summer at the Arts Centre. However, There are still a few spots left in our summer arts camps. Call Aubrey (Mon-Fri 9:00am-4:00pm @ 403-221-3682) for more information. - Aubrey Hallis, NMPAC Program Specialist-Visual Arts

Robin DuPont Workshop registration underway!

The 2011 North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre Summer Workshop- August 29th to the 2nd of September - will be featuring Robin DuPont. This is a unique opportunity to practice with the
Alberta College of Art and Design Ceramics Department visiting artist for the 2011/2012 session. Don't miss out! Call NMPAC at 403-221-3682 for more information and to register.

Jeffery Oestreich Workshop

North Mount Pleasant Arts Center Studio Members were pleased to host Jeffery Oestreich for a weekend workshop May 27th-29th.
Jeffery has had a long and distinguished career in the ceramic arts and shared his many wonderful stories of his life in clay. From his time at Leach Pottery in St. Ives, England, to his numerous teaching positions and studio practice; Jeffery’s experiences and wealth of knowledge was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

For more information on Jeffery and his work please follow the link below. - Aura Carney, NMPAC Ceramics Technician

http://www.minnesotapotters.com/individualpages/jeffoestreich.html

ACAD Student Graduate Presentation

The Art Centre is alive! For your continuing clay interest North Mount Presents "Muddy Little Secrets" on Friday June 3rd @ 7:00-8:30. Our guests will be three 2011 graduates from ACAD. Matt Boyd, Jenny Kalika-Kivinen and Luan Johnson. As always feel free to invite a friend. Snacks and bevies welcome. - Laurie Hass Yearwood, NMPAC Arts Specialist

Perennial Plant Exchange

Join us in the courtyard at NMPAC on Sunday, May 29th from 10am to 12pm for the 11th Annual Perennial Plant Exchange. Discuss gardening with like minded folks. Bring a plant, take a plant!

Primary Colours Exhibition Instructor Testimonial

"I was happy to attend the 24th Annual Children’s Arts Show opening last Thursday at the Triangle Gallery. As a children’s art instructor, it was great to see the work being displayed in a professional atmosphere. I could tell that the young artists and their families were all very excited to be a part of the festivities. Knowing that I had a peripheral role made the experience all the more enriching. I would encourage all fans of children’s art to partake in this event." -Nicolette Harrison - NMPAC Intructor

Primary Colours Exhibition Opening

A big thanks to all the artists and their families for attending the official opening of the 24th Annual Children’s Art this past Thursday at the Triangle gallery in Calgary. This year’s exhibition, entitled Primary Colours, is a sampling of the wonderful works produced at both North Mount and Wildflower Arts Centres. The show will remain up for public viewing until Wednesday, May 18th. Please take some time to enjoy and support the work of our very talented young participants.

Summer Workshop with Robin DuPont

The 2011 North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre Summer Workshop- August 29th to the 2nd of September - will be featuring Robin DuPont. Robin completed his undergraduate degree at the Alberta College of Art and has just completed his Master’s Degree at Utah State University. He and his wife Eden have built a home and studio at Winlaw in British Columbia’s Slocan Valley. His pots (primarily wood fired ) deftly speak about form, process (wheel and flame), and material.

Registration begins May 16, for more information contact Laurie at 403-221-3682.

Primary Colours - The 24th Annual Exhibition of Children's Art!

Join us at the Triangle Gallery on Thursday, May 5th from 5:30 to 7pm for the opening of the annual Children's Art Exhibition! The show will be on display until Wednesday, May 18th. This is a unique opportunity to view some of the young talent from the past year from both Wildflower and North Mount Pleasant Arts Centres.

Jeffrey Oestrich Workshop

The North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre Studio Members and The North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre are partnering to bring Jeffrey Oestrich one of the most influential potters in North America to Calgary. Jeffrey will be sharing his wealth of wisdom over the weekend of May 28th and 29th with the studio members as well as students from the Alberta College of Art. Jeffrey will be throwing , dialoguing and interacting with the audience.

Artist Statement: "My early pottery training at the Leach Pottery in England in the late 1960's was heavily influenced by Japanese pottery, due to the fact that Bernard spent many years making work in Japan. Since that experience my work has slowly moved away from this direct influence. Although there are still the underpinnings of the pottery of Japan, China and Korea in my work, that being simplicity, directness of approach, I am currently doing salt glazing, which has its origins in Germany. I have one foot in Japan, one in Germany, and an interest in Art Deco architecture. All things considered, my approach is American, borrowing from as many sources that speak to me.

I work under the umbrella of utilitarian pottery, exploring and rearranging the boundaries I have set up for what I believe constitutes function. My current work is thrown and altered, either by faceting, stretching, or cutting and rejoining. Being fond of glaze and not willing to give up this surface altogether, I play with the ratio of glaze to clay surface. My consuming interest over the past dozen years has been the beaked pitcher. Each series provides an opportunity to refine older ideas as well as introduce new information."

ACAD Wood Firing

In mid April, the Alberta College of Art & Design students participated in their annual wood-firing at the North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre. We thoroughly enjoyed their energy and enthusiasm. Special thanks to Matthew Boyd for organizing (and chopping).

Diane Lyons Presentation

Come one, come all to this month's presentation generously hosted by NMPAC Studio Members. Diane Lyons will be presenting information on Ethiopian potters. The date is Friday March 25th from 7:00-8:30pm.

Bob Reimer Presentation this Friday

Please join us for a Muddy Little Secrets evening of discussion and demonstration. Our guest, Bob Reimer will be focusing on the topic of mark making and its application in ceramics. The date is Friday Feb. 25th @ 7:00-8:30PM. See you then!

Draw By Night - Third Session Pics

Good times were had by all at Last week's Draw By Night session here at NMPAC. A big thank you to those who ventured out on a rather chilly February evening. Stay tuned for details of the next Draw By Night coming soon!

Draw By Night at NMPAC!

Tired of doodling on your own? Come one come all to this exciting event which saw it's start last year in Vancouver. Recently featured in FFWD Magazine (see below), Draw By Night is a unique opportunity for folks to chat, share stories and, well, draw - at night. North Mount Pleastant Arts Centre is excited to host this event which finds it's third session moving from Calgary's Cafe Beano to our own Studio #1. No experience required.

http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/arts/visual-arts/draw-by-night-in-calgary-6628/

Spring Arts Ventures - Space Still Available.

We still have some spaces left in our February arts ventures day camps for children ages 6-12 yrs. These day camps will run during the teacher’s convention:

Thursday, Feb. 17th and Friday, Feb. 18th from 9:00am-4:00pm.
Please call 403-268-3800 to register!

Teri Frame Presentation

Please consider this your official invitiation to this Friday's presentation by ACAD visiting ceraminc artist, Teri Frame. All are welcome free of charge thanks to the NMPAC Studio Members Fund.

Interactive Program Guide Correction

Please note: The Winter Interactive Recreation Program Guide found on the City of Calgary website is missing the following courses:

Potter's Wheel Basics
Potter's Wheel Beyond Basics
Potter's Wheel Studio
Family Potter's Wheel

You can download accurate schedule information via PDF of either the Arts in the City Guide or the City Recreation Guide at : www.calgary.ca/arts

Please contact the Arts Centre at 403-221-3682 for more information. Sorry for any inconvenience.