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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Walter Dexter RCA - Video Interview by Jonathons

We are really excited to be able to introduce “CLAYSPOTS”, a collection of interviews with Canada’s leading ceramic artists.

This interview will feature British Columbia artist Walter Dexter RCA.


We are really excited to be able to introduce “CLAYSPOTS”, a collection of interviews with Canada’s leading ceramic artists.

This interview will feature British Columbia artist Walter Dexter RCA. Head over to our Media Page to view.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

GOYER-BONNEAU RCA OUR FIRST "CLAYSPOTS" VIDEO INTERVIEW

We are really excited to be able to introduce "CLAYSPOTS", a collection of interviews with Canada's leading ceramic artists. to launch the series we are pleased to present an interview with Alain and Denise Goyer-Bonneau RCA.

Our next interview will be will feature British Columbia artist Walter Dexter RCA. Watch for it in early December.
Visit our Media Page now!

THE ARCTIC~~~~FORM & VISION

It's coming Jamie's 2009 exhibition, a wonderful selection of paintings based on his August trip to Iqaluit. This is going to be a wonderful show and making it even more exciting is The INNUIT GALLERY participation. Drawing on their connections over the past 27 years of being in business they have put together a collection of MASTERWORKS IN STONE from some of Nunavut's leading carvers.

The exhibition opens to the public on Friday November 20th with a special reception at BOTH galleries on the Thursday evening. Aaju Peter,  noted Nunavut culturalist, will provide the welcoming ceremony at The Innuit Gallery at 7:30 Thursday November 19th.

This is an exhibition that you will want to see1

Saturday, October 17, 2009

JONATHON LINKS UP WITH THE INNUIT GALLERY!

November 19th is the opening of this years Jamie Jardine exhibition. This is going to be an incredible show. Jamie went to Nunavut in July and spent ten days in Iqaluit and this show is a result of his travels. Jamie was blown away with the scenery and the people.  An exciting aspect of this exhibition is  our partnership with THE INNUIT  GALLERY for this event. THE INNUIT GALLERY, now in their 27th year, has arranged for a wonderful collection of carvings to be part of this show titled "Form and Vision. Opening night will be our first JOINT VENTURE EXHIBITION. The opening will be at both our gallery and theirs. Fortunately their gallery is only around the corner.

Make sure you connect with us if you want an invitation to Opening Night.  Also watch for the premier issue of BEAT London's latest art magazine featuring Jamie Jardine's arctic experience.

BARBIE COMING TO JONATHONS!!!!!

Believe it or not we are having a Barbie Birthday Bash! Hard to believe? I must admit that as I look at the 100's of Barbies that have been descending on the gallery it a little surreal. I keep telling myselfd that it is all for a good cause and it is! Investing in Children operates a nutrition programme within the school system. This is an important program that helps to ensure that kids eat. This event is to raise money to help them do just that.

Thursday October 29th the dolls, all in their finery, will be available for purchase. Prices start at $15 and climb. There are dolls in every imaginable outfit. Many are in designer dresses and there are also Ken dolls to accompany them. There are Gone with the Wind, Cher, Elvis and many others. Pick an event and there is a doll to go with it. The doll collection belongs to Diane Thompson of Scots Corner Pub and she is donating 15% of the purchase price to INVESTING IN CHILDREN.

TICKETS: Thursday Night $20 for adults $5 for children under 16. Starts at 7PM Friday and Saturday the shop is open from 10AM to 6PM and  is by donation.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Check out the neighbourhood!

We have been seeing a dramatic increase in the number of out-of-towners coming to see the gallery. Often people will drive down from Toronto for the day but we are also seeing people from Europe and all over North America. If you are considering making a trip to see th egallery maybe you'll also be interested in seeing some of my neighbours. The Innuit Gallery, now in their 26th year, is just around the corner. A great gallery still run by the original owners it is a pleasure to drop in and see their selection Currently they have a wonderful selection of wall hangings that is not to be missed. A gallery that  has been around so long that they still use the original spelling of Innuit with two n's! So often people interested in art are also interested in books and a few doors away is Attic Books, probably Ontario's largest antiquarian bookstore located in a wonderful period building. Three floors to tempt any bibliophile. For the Ian Fleming fan they have just acquired a first edition that uses the now-famous phrase 'shaken not stirred' for the first time. Anyone planning to stay over can contact me and get my code for the lovely London Delta Armouries and you'll receive a special rate. London has many wonderful restaurants but you can't beat cheap and cheerful at Scot's Corner for a good home cooked meal and a choice of 26 beers on tap. So when you come to London be prepared to do a few things. It's a nice place, you'll enjoy it....it is often thought of as Halifax without the water!

London's "SCENE MAGAZINE" gets it right!!!

I was more than thrilled to open up the August 13th-26th issue of SCENE magazine and find the "Art Beat" review by Amie Ronald-Morgan. Amie, from realms of notes, has distilled the essence of the current exhibitions and I would like you to see what she said.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Attention art lovers! Now is the time to pop into Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery to experience one of the most significant exhibitions to come to London this year. Jonathon's is currently hosting two shows, the 25th Anniversary Exhibition of "Fired Up - Contemporary Works in Clay" and "In Memoria", an award winning collection of vessels never before seen outside of New Brunswick.

"Fired Up" showcases the work of 20 leading ceramic artists from British Colombia. It's an exciting chance to see and touch some wonderful pieces," explained Jonathon Bancroft-Snell. Participating artists includee Walter Dexter and Laurie Rolland. both members of the Royal canadian Academy. In Memoria consists of seven vessels by Brigitte Clavette. "The show was born out of the death of Brigitte's partner, " said Bancroft-Snell. "The pieces are associated with a love affair and the end of the journey through life."

The majority of the exhibition's featured artists were in attendance at the show's gala opening on August 6. The eevent was documented on video by Drew Stitt, host and producer of the TV show London Calling.

"Drew is passioante about London. I felt he would bring to the project the energy, enthusiasm, and talent needed to capture the event. So often we get excited about artists after they're gone: it's important historically and socially to document these people while they're alive and producing." said Bancroft-Snell. The project parks a first in a series of filmed artists interviews to be archived by the gallery.

Jonathon's has the distinction of having more Canadian comtemporary ceramics on display than any gallery - public or private - in the country. And there's never been a better time to collect, remarked Bancroft-Snell. " The avant garde in Canadian ceramics is only 50 years old and most of the late career artists are still alive, producing very accesible work." he said. "You are not just purchasing a bowl, a vase, a mug. You are purchasing the story of that piece's maker. For the collector, this exhibition is extraordinary, for the novice; this is the most amazing opportunity to see the finest work in Canada in one place."

As you can see Amie has done a great job capturing the essence of the exhibitions. Scene Magazine is a great place to check out what is happening in London in the arts. Particularly London's vibrant music scene. Check them out at http://www.scenemagazine.com

Thursday, August 20, 2009

"The Arctic" is coming to London!!!

Watch for details and perhaps some tantalizing glimpses of the new paintings that Jamie is working on for this year's blockbuster show "That Arctic". Jamie has just returned from Iqaluit and had an amazing time. He was overwhelmed with the warmth of the people and the hotbed of artistry he discovered in Nunavut. This is going to be an amazing show. We are working on a few surprises to really bring the north alive. Jamie's enthusiasm for the north has also sparked a long smouldering desire of mine to visit the north and we are planning a return visit in th espring. Stay tuned for lots of details about that as well!

Watch for The Arctic Show opening November 19th 2009

Jamie Jardine has just returned from Iqaluit, Nunavut filled with enthusiasm and inspiration for this year's exhibition. previous exhibitions have resulted in exhibitions featuring England, France, Italy, Saskatchewan, the Boreal Forest, Algonquin and, of course London, Ontario. Jamie is particularly excited about his recent trip to the north and has returned filled with enthusiasm and inspiration. November 19th will be the gala opening and it will be an exciting show. If past show are an indicator then this one should be a blockbuster!!!!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Fired Up Contemporary Works In Clay COMING!!!!

I have just returned from Victoria and the 25th Anniversary exhibition of Fired Up! I had a fantastic time and met all 20 of the participating artists. As anyone following this site knows Fired Up! is coming to London. At this point in time there are 16 of the BC artists coming to the gala opening on Thursday August 6th. If you haven't already done so then you should make sure you are on the guest list by emailing us at jonathon@jonathons.ca. Many other artists from across Canada are attending including John Chalke and Barbara Tipton of Calgary and Alain & Denise Goyer-Bonneau from Quebec. This event will be an incredible opportunity for anyone interested in Canadian Contemporary ceramics to not only see the work but actually meet the artists!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

AWARD NOMINATION!!!!!

We are pleased to report that we have been nominated for the 2009 NICHE Top Retailer Award in North America for Craft! We have also been nominated for Best Website, Best Visual Merchandising. Our exhibitions "Celebration" in 2008 and "No Drips Allowed" in 2009 were nominated for Best In-Store Event!!!!

We are very excited to be included as a nominee . The NICHE AWARDS celebrate public and private galleries specializing in original art by North American artists.

Fired Up is Coming

IT'S COMING!!! Mark your Calendars!

The 25th anniversary Exhibition & Sale of FIRED UP!!! is coming to London and opening to the public August 7th. The show runs through to August 31st. FIRED UP! Contemporary Works in Clay, currently at the Canadian Clay and Glass gallery in Waterloo , is an exhibition celebrating a professional association of twenty of British Colombia's leading ceramic artists that goes  back twenty-five years. For the London exhibition all the artists are sending additional works.  This is going to be an incredible exhibition. Not only that but the artists are coming to London for the gala opening Thursday August 6th! If you are interested in receiving an invitation to the opening please email jonathon@jonathons.ca

The participating artists are Marlene Bowman, Alan Burgess, Meg Burgess, Louise Card, Susan Delatour Lepoididevin, Walter Dexter, Judi Dyelle, Mary Fox, Sue Hara, Robin Hopper, Gordon Hutchens, Denys James, Cathi Jefferson, Glenys Marshall-Inman, Meira Mathison, Gary Merkel, Craig Rogers, Laurie Rolland, Kinich1 Shigeno and Pat Webber.

Register to follow our TWEETS and find out who is coming.  Frequent updates between now the the gala opening August 6th will keep you informed.

Planning to come yourself? Contact us for details regarding special hotel rates and airfare. We have all the information to make your visit to London a special one.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Cultural Planning for Creative Communities

As a change of pace this coming Thursday April 2nd we are having a book signing at the gallery. Gord Hume, the author and local politician, will be on hand to autograph copies of his book titled "Cultural Planning for Creative Communities". Glen Murray, former Winnipeg mayor and present head of the Canadian Urban Institute, wrote the forward.  Glen has an international reputation for being in the forefront of promoting innovative civic programs.  Noteworthy Cultural Planning advocates and practitioners who have contributed their expertise to this book include:

Greg Baeker. principal of Authenticity in Toronto and an acknowledged expert in cultural mapping.

Tim Jones. head of Artscape, an innovator in creative community projects

Nancy Duxbury, former director of the Creative City Network of Canada. Nancy is presently the executive director of the Centre for expertise on Culture and Communities.  Ms. Duxbury is also an adjunct professor at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

Cultural Planning for Creative Communities offers a proven insider's look at forming roundtables and community action groups for cultural planning.  It details cultural mapping and outlines the process local governments can take to implement municipal cultural planning.

I strongly belive in creative city initiatives and am pleased to provide a venue and an opportunity to further awareness of cultural planning and its place in our communities.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

New works by Trevor Kyle Carter & James Kirkpatrick

I have just added new images of current works by James Kirkpatrick and Trevor Kyle Carter!   It's worth the look as the paintings are wonderful great for spring.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

MONDAY "FAMILY DAY"---WE ARE OPEN!

The exhibition "No Drips Allowed" is doing great! Lots of people have been through and the teapots are selling well.  The show is really worth seeing so if you are looking for something to do this Family Day then swing by between 10AM and 6PM and check out the show! If you are too far away then check it out by going to ABOUT on the menu part and then hit teapots and view the show and give us a call with any questions.

Friday, February 13, 2009

NO DRIPS ALLOWED OPENING NIGHT REVIEW

It was great!! There was an excellent turnout for Brian's exhibition "No Drips Allowed". Reid Flock, flew in from Japan and got to meet both the new owners of the teapots he made.  Ann and Anong Beam were among the attending artists along with Carol-Anne Michaelson, Zsuzsa Monostory, Carol Rossman.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

No Drips Allowed Attend

Will you be attending or watching the live streaming of No Drips Allowed on February 12, 2009 at 7 pm (streaming at 8 pm)?

Streaming Live

As per Jonathons and Brian's post here is the updated information about how you can interact with Jonathon Bancroft-Snell gallery's first live streaming opening:

"The final count is over 100 teapots and as for mugs, I keep losing count. Suffice to say that there are lots. I just thought that I would mention how tomorrow night is going to work.  The work is available for purchase in the gallery at 7PM.  If you can’t be here and are interested in a piece you have a few options available to you.

1) Call ahead! 519-434-5443 or toll-free 866-229-5244 If you call and make arrangements before the opening you will be first in line at 8PM EST. Some people have already made arrangements.  Also remember the time 8PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME!!! The opening will STREAM LIVE from 7PM EST>

2) Call after 8PM

3) Buy online! The paypal button will be up and running.  If you don’t have paypal then call!

4) Email if you have any questions jonathons@jonathons.ca"

Also, please not that the live streaming page is on the video page. You can watch the stream from the comfort of your home, office, cruise ships or wherever you may be. We start at 8 pm EST. Also note that there will be a store/products page where you can actually purchase the items online. That will be done later tonight or by the early morning, and I will update this post at that time when it is ready.

Remember, tomorrow night as someone is at the gallery purchasing an item, it will only be marked "no longer available" after the purchase is made. If you are watching the live stream and purchase the item ahead of them, you will be awarded the item first. It is a "first-come, fist-serve/purchase" policy so keep your typing fingers limber as we are expecting a bit of a purchase frenzy for out first live streaming opening/sale.

Purcahses online will be processed via Paypal but you do not need paypal to actually make the purchases. You can use any major credit card. You will be required to enter your email address and billing address for your credit card as Paypal verifies the ownership fo the card, and you need the email to receive your receipt for your purchase. You will not receive a receipt directly from Jonathon, just from paypal which will list the item, details and amount paid.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Jonathon or Brian or to use the contact form on the contact page to get a hold of any of us, to answer your questions.

NO DRIPS ALLOWED OPENS TOMORROW!!! FEB 12

It is all coming together.  the teapots are here and are set up in the exhibition hall.  Brian is busily making the price tags and the prices will soon be online.  Kimberly of BlueWave Media will be here tomorrow to launch our first LIVE-STREAM opening. The London Potters Guild was here last night for a sneak preview and they loved it!!

The final count is over 100 teapots and as for mugs, I keep losing count. Suffice to say that there are lots. I just thought that I would mention how tomorrow night is going to work.  The work is available for purchase in the gallery at 7PM.  If you can't be here and are interested in a piece you have a few options available to you.

1) Call ahead! 519-434-5443 or toll-free 866-229-5244 If you call and make arrangements before the opening you will be first in line at 8PM EST. Some people have already made arrangements.  Also remember the time 8PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME!!! The opening will STREAM LIVE from 7PM EST>

2)Call after 8PM

3) Buy online! The paypal button will be up and running.  If you don't have paypal then call!

4) Email if you have any questions jonathons@jonathons.ca

We are quite excited about taking the opening live...we are not sure what to expect...hopefully all will go according to plan!

Jonathon & Brian

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Brian Setting Up "NO DRIPS ALLOWED"

Brian and I have been working hard today getting the set-up for "No Drips Allowed" organized.  The pedestals are finally in place and the exhibition hall is filled with teapots fro all over Canada.  It is quite the sight to see.  Every technique available to an artist has been used.  There are hand-built, thrown and altered, slab built, slip cast etc.  Firing methods include: gas-fired, wood-fired and electric-fired. Designs range from the sleek modernism of Goyer-Bonneau of Quebec to the incredible sculptural vision of Ann Beam of Ontario.  This exhibition is a collector's dream no matter what their budget.  Mugs and tea-bowls start at $20. Teapots start at $125. The majority of the exhibition features pieces under $200!

The exhibition is featuring many of the iconic names in Canadian pottery.  The 50+ participating artists represent over 2,000 years of experience. A potter came in today for a sneak preview.  His comment was "It is like stepping into a book, you never get a chance to see these artists all together and to be allowed to touch!"

Friday, February 6, 2009

No Drips Allowed — TEAPOTS!!!

The opening of "No Drips Allowed" is getting closer.  Teapots are still arriving and enthusiasm is building.  Last night we hosted a fundraiser for "Investing In Children" titled "London Gets Mugged". It was our second

Monday, February 2, 2009

Teapots arriving fast and furious!!!

Brian is working busily unpacking, sorting, pricing, photographing and admiring all the teapots that have been arriving for "No Drips Allowed".  It has been quite exciting watching the parcels arrive from all over Canada using every shipping method possible.  Yesterday Carol-Anne Michaelson hand-delivered her teapots and mugs.  This morning guest artist Darren Emenau's teapot arrived from New Brunswick.  He was recommended by Peter Powning and Beth Biggs.  Shortly after Keith Campbell's teapots and mugs arrived from North Bay.  Unfortunately a teapot was broken in transit.  It is always frustrating to open a box and see a damaged pot.  Saturday Celia Brandao of Toronto arrived with her teapots as did Heather Daymond from Guelph.  Then one of Bruce Cochrane's students arriving with Bruce's teapots. It is turning into a teapot extravaganza.  There are still a number of teapots to arrive and artists have been calling in regularly to give status updates.  We have been getting notice of progress from "I just assembled it---It's in the kiln---It's out of the kiln---It is looking good--- It failed -have to do another---It's on the way!!!" It is exciting to think that there will be almost 100 teapots and around 500 mugs from all over Canada.  Opening night there are lots of artists planning to be here.  When all the teapots and mugs are set up it will be nice to stand back and enjoy a glass of wine, naturally while contemplating my next cup of tea and wondering whose mug I will use!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

"NO Drips Allowed" to go LIVE!!!

"No Drips Allowed" opens February 12th! Teapots are arriving daily. Check them out by clicking on 'about' and then hitting teapots to see them as they are uploaded. By the way there is an exciting new wrinkle being added to our openings.  Kimberly (our BlueWave Media website guru) is going to have PayPal up and running so that as of 8PM EST February 12th viewers will be able to shop online! Not only that but the opening is going to LIVE STREAM!!! You will be able to watch the opening! Kimberly (yet again!) will be initiating this new aspect to our openings.  I am very excited about giving you the opportunity to watch an opening as it unfolds. Many artists who are participating in "No Drips Allowed" are planning to attend so this will be a great chance to not only see the pot but check out the potter!! Stay tuned for updates!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Where the teapots are!

To see the teapots that are arriving simply click on 'About' and then click teapots and you are there!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Teapots for "No Drips Allowed" starting to arrive!!!

The teapots and mugs for Brian's show have started to arrive and Brian has been photographing them and putting them online.  This show is going to be a little bit different from previous shows in that the opening is going to be streamed LIVE ON LINE!!! Kimberly from BlueWave Media is going to be here to make it happen. Kimberly is our incredible web designer who has given us our new look. Not only will the exhibition be live you will also be able to BUY ONLINE!!! Yes it will be possible to actually buy online starting at 8 o'clock.  The exhibition opens at 7PM but for the first hour, keeping with gallery policy, people attending have priority purchasing rights.  In the nine years that we have been open we have always given the people attending our openings first choice.

Making our exhibitions accessible online is part of our mandate in making the best in contemporary Canadian ceramics available to a wider audience.  We are quite excited about having the exhibition streaming live as many of the artists are attending. This will give you a chance to put a face to a piece of work.

More details will follow but essentially the game plan is:

Live streaming of the exhibition will begin at 7PM

All teapots and mugs will be photographed and online.  As work sells between 7PM and 8PM it will be marked such on the web.  At 8PM web-watchers can join the party!!!!

More details to follow as the story unfolds!!!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

New Work Arriving for February Exhibition!!

Happy New Year! Brian and I are now back from our annual studio tour (more about that at a later date). Now it is back to work and preparations for our first events of the new year.  February 5th is our second fund raiser for Investing In Children titled "London Gets Mugged 2".  Last year was a huge success and we are looking to raise the bar this year and raise even more money.  There are more details of this even elsewhere on the site.

Our first gallery event this year is "No Drips Allowed".  Brian has worked very hard organizing this event and it is promising to be quite exciting.  As you may be aware the teapot is besides being one of the most collected items in ceramics also a true testament to the skill of the potter.  For this exhibition artists from all over Canada are participating.  This is also an event paying homage to function hence the title "No Drips Allowed".

Teapots began arriving before we left January 1st on our trip.  Harlan House was the first artist's work to arrive.  Since then not a day goes by that work doesn't arrive.  it has been great unwrapping the work of both artists we already carry and that of the guest artists who are participating.  The guest artists have all been recommended by artists we already represent.

A particularly exciting aspect of this exhibition is our intent to stream it live on the internet.  Kimberly of BlueWave Media will be assisting us in our launch of live stream openings.  It will also be possible to buy on-line. We will have Paypal installed by the event and this will give people the opportunity as of 8PM to actually purchase online.  The show opens with work going on sale at 7PM but, in keeping with gallery practice, the first hour is for people in the gallery.

Just think you will be able to see the work, see who is buying it and then, if it hasn't sold, buy yourself at 8PM.  This is going to be interesting and a first for us.  The pieces will also be online for viewing commencing February 1st so you will also have a chance to email or call our toll free number with any questions.  I think this is going to be an added enhancement for collectors interested in fine ceramics.

Remember the only separation between an artist's mug and a major exhibition piece is time not quality.  This exhibition presents an opportunity to acquire, at a modest cost, a work by a major Canadian artist.  Many of the artists are planning to attend the opening so you will also have an opportunity to associate the work with a face. Heady stuff!!!

Stay tuned for more details!!!

Teapots and mugs already arriv...

Teapots and mugs already arrived for "No Drips Allowed" are from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec. More to come

Alan Lacovetsky's teapots and ...

Alan Lacovetsky's teapots and mugs have arrived for Brian's exhibition "No Drips Allowed" and they are great!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Jamie and Krista have given bi...

Jamie and Krista have given birth to a beautiful little girl at 10:14 AM EST

OMG!!! Jamie Jardine is about ...

OMG!!! Jamie Jardine is about to be a daddy again! Krista is in labour as I type. Jamie is our first painter in the gallery. Stay tuned!

No Drips Allowed!!!

Form and function are very important when creating a teapot that doesn't drip.  No drips Allowed, curated by Brian Cooke, is an exhibition illustrating this fact with works by over fifty of Canada's leading ceramic artists from coast to coast.  The exhibition is also introducing work by various guest artists.  This exhibition will also be the first time that we will be live streaming an opening.  The exhibition opens Thursday February 12th at 7 PM.  Our website will also be set up to accept internet buyers from 8PM.  Watch our site as we begin loading images beginning February 1st.  A special "No Drips Allowed" page will follow shortly.

More work has arrived for Feb ...

More work has arrived for Feb 12th teapot show. Jack Sures from Saskatechewan is fantastice! more expected later today!!!