Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts 2014
I was privileged to have been a part of the two week Artist in Residence programme this past summer. The residency was facilitated by artist Suzanne Northcott, a gifted teacher and artist.
The hand of Suzanne working on clayboard. http://www.suzannenorthcott.ca/
Summer studio workshops based in the arts have been going strong for the past 30 years at MISSA. http://www.missa.ca/
It’s held at Lester B. Pearson College, a United World College. Opened in 1974, it’s one of 13 such colleges and schools around the globe. It’s large campus in sited on one of the most beautiful spots in the world in Metchosin, Vancouver Island. http://www.pearsoncollege.ca/
Two other instructors I was fortunate to meet and spend time with during my two weeks were Don Taylor and Pauline Conley.
Don Taylor is a talented bookbinder from Toronto who taught the popular Coptic Bookbinding course. Don is also the creative force behind Pointyhead Press. His book Illustrations for Macbeth by Dechard Rinderpest is a tour de force of dark creative hilarity. He’s a generous teacher with a wonderful sense of humour.
http://www.dontaylorbookbinder.com/
Pauline Conley There is a very joyful quality to Pauline’s work. Here is a woman unafraid of colour. She taught another well attended course, Beyond Representation, at MISSA. An artist from Ottawa, she’s a curator, cultural administrator, and, a very engaging speaker. At her artist talk, I loved hearing her description of collaborations and creative process; often the nuts and bolts that can sustain a studio practice.
Check out her work at http://paulineconley.ca/
Photo credit: Pauline Conley
Throwing at the wheel overlooking Pedder Bay.
One of MISSA great strengths and most enduring programmes is ceramics. This can be attributed to the vision of Founding President Emeritus, Robin Hopper. Judi Dyelle was key in the administration of the school. Both are award winning and internationally reknowed master ceramic artists.
MISSA continues to attract talented instructors and ceramics artists. The kiln firings always draw great interest. Work produced is of a very high standard.
Visit Robin Hopper and Judi Dyelle’s website: http://www.chosinpottery.ca/