Durham West Arts Centre
The Mad Potters’ Tea Party - January 23 to March 17, 2006
Thanks to Shelly Beach for her wonderful paintings of tea cups
Artist Statement
Family Heirlooms - Teacup Series
Watercolour images of teacups are metaphors for lives lived and remembered, valued and loved.
Family is of supreme importance to me and accordingly, this work explores ideas of dynastic legacy. Identity is shaped by learned perceptions or beliefs (tradition) as well as by inherited characteristics (genetics).
By paying tribute to my female ancestors, I have reinforced my own sense of place as well as my vital link to the next generation. |
Thanks to The Durham Potters’ Guild and their president, Derek Chung, for this exciting new show. Ian Chung, |
Thanks to the students of Glengrove, E.B. Phin and Highbush Public Schools for their colourful papier mâchè hats and crowns.
Friday, March 17, 2 to 7 p.m. St. Patrick's Day and Mad Potters' closing day, we're going to have free green tea and green cookies. It will also be a day for people to show their support for the Centre by signing a letter of endorsement for our VISION.
Opening Reception photos:
The Durham Debutantes, a local Chapter of the Red Hat Society,
visit the Mad Potters' show
Twelve members from the Ajax/Pickering Chapter of the Red Hat Society, the Durham Debutantes, chose the Durham West Arts Centre’s current exhibition “The Mad Potters’ Tea Party” for their February outing. Fanciful teapots created by The Durham Potters’ Guild; colourful paper mâche hats and crowns made by the students of Glengrove, E.B. Phin and Highbush Public Schools and vintage china complete the show. “I found the show on the Internet,” says Bobbi Ackerman, chapter Queen of the Red Hat Society. “Each month our group goes out for lunch and we look for an interesting place to visit. This is an excellent presentation!”
The Mad Potters’ Tea Party
“The table was a large one, but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it: ‘No room! No room! They cried out when they saw Alice coming. ‘There’s plenty of room!’ said Alice indignantly, and she sat down in a large arm-chair at one end of the table.” Lewis Carroll
There’s plenty of room at the Durham West Arts Centre between Jan. 23 and Mar. 17, 2006 as The Durham Potters’ Guild displays fantasy tea pots. A tea pot morphed into the shape of a hen by Deanna Jones and another inviting you to read a ceramic Secret Garden by Lela Filipowski set the tone of whimsy and fun that the potters embraced for this special exhibition. The opening night is Jan. 26 between 7-9 p.m. “We wanted to warm up the winter months with some fun and fantasy”, says exhibition curator April Polak. “We’ll also display watercolours of tea cups by Shelley Beach which will be complimented by a tea cup display. Rounding it all out will be some vintage hats as an homage to Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter and teaching panels about the history of tea in various cultures. There will be something for everyone.”
Teachers may wish to book free tours to learn about tea and the teapot which was first developed in China in the 16th century; by special arrangement, seniors may book afternoon teas for groups up to 10 (call 905-250-9891).
On Thursday, March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m., during March Break 2006 there will be a Story Time with Maria Watt reading her book “Pablo and the Rabbit” and a Children’s Tea Party. This event is free and recommended for ages 4 to 8. Formal attire is optional. Suggestions: Victorian or Alice in Wonderland theme. To book your spot call 905-250-9891.
Photography by Mary Cook, Pickering
The Durham West Arts Centre exists to create, manage, and operate a centre for the advancement and promotion of artistic disciplines, and related activities throughout the community, for the benefit of the residents of the Regional Municipality of Durham, and the Province of Ontario.
Durham West Arts Centre
