Here it is Monday and the gallery has been busy today so I am a little delayed in getting to this. Yesterday being Sunday I decided to have a day of rest, though I did go and see some incredible new work by Jamie Jardine. I have been showing Jamie since I opened in 2000 and his work is truly amazing. What was particularly interesting with this new body of work was his entry in to abstract and semi-abstract. It is going to be exciting to watch this develop. This semi-abstract references an island that is a recurring theme in his work and watching its many mutations and permutations over the years has been fascinating. This painting will be available in the gallery sometime tomorrow as will some of his new abstracts. Tomorrow check out our acquisitions blog for some images of Jamie's latest work.

As many of you may know I have been writing a book on the late Ruth Gowdy-Mckinley RCA (1931-1981). I am pleased to report that it will be available this coming August. Now that the Dexter book has been put to bed it is time to do the same with the book on Ruth. This will be published at the same time as the book  on Joanne M. Copp. Needless to say this will keep me busy for the next little while.

Many of you may be aware of Reed Weir. Reed is the artist who created Flood at Furnace Cove that we sponsored a few years ago. Reed has been working on a new exhibition that will be opening at the Mary E. Black gallery in Halifax in June. I am pleased to report that the exhibition will be coming to London in September. Now that you know the where: pay attention to this blog and you will be kept apprised of the how and when of the Horizon Watchers! It is an interesting show that I am sure you will enjoy.

I just received a text from my sister Julie. She is pleased to see a new posting on the blog and amused that she was mentioned. Blogging is an interesting process as it is in a way a diary. When I was a kid I attempted keeping a diary but maintenance is what makes a diary valuable. Still a blog is a bit different in that it is a way of getting people to learn about the gallery and the artists that we represent. That is why I will be turning "Handful of Dirt" my newsletter that goes out to artists into a magazine that will be available by subscription to collectors. My goal is to get collectors thinking about the maker as well as what they make as in truth everything  is "touched by the maker".

A few years ago I was talking with Walter Dexter and mentioned Maurice Savoie. I asked Walter if he knew him. "Of course I know of him by reputation but we've never met." I was fascinated by his reply. Here were two of Canada's great artists, both recipients of the prestigious Bronfman award, both members of the Royal Canadian Academy, both teachers, innovators and represented in the same museums. They are also of similar age. I then realized how very privileged I was to have access to so many of the incredible leading lights of the ceramic arts in Canada. I have been to their homes, talked with them about their work, who has influenced them and what they still want to do. They have given me an incredible gift. I believe that a gift needs to be shared.

It is that belief that got me started on wanting to write the artists studio series. I wanted to create a vehicle that would give people the opportunity to get to know the artists I have gotten to know over the past twelve years. I believe that by understanding the artists it will be easier to understand their work. I  was at the studio of Laurie Rolland with Brian in January 2007 and as we left Laurie gave us a hug and thanked us for coming. "You are the first gallery owners to ever visit my studio.' Now you may think that not all work really needs any explanation. After all a mug is just a mug. Not so!

I was asked to teach a course on ceramic appreciation at UWO (University of Western Ontario). It was a continuing education course. I brought in a selection of mugs, two of each. Ostensibly it was to illustrate the different methods of production, types of clay, and slight variances in shape. Essentially all the ingredients that make up a handmade object. Then in mid-sentence as I looked at the mugs, lined up two by two as if ready to enter an ark, I had an epiphany! I looked at the rhythmically carved Rachelle Chinnery mugs: Rachelle is an avid kayaker and her designs are so reminiscent of the waves on the sand. Meira Mathison's almost nestle into one another: an artist for whom family and relationships are incredibly important. Tony Clennell: strong robust no nonsense shape - so much like Tony. Judy Weeden - wonderful representations of flora and fauna: Judy is a retired biologist. The mugs were so much more than the functional objects that people often dismiss them as. They are the manifestations of the personality of the artist and an honest reflection of the maker. Mugs make for an amazing collection. There is nothing nicer than going into someone's home and given the choice of a mug to use. Most of the artists whose home I have been to have a mug collection. It is an affordable luxury. In the morning I choose my mug based on my mood. Some days I commune with Kayo O'Young, sometimes with Meira Mathison, sometimes with Jack Sures. I am not a fan of large mugs whereas my other half loves them. He generally starts the day with Tony Clennell or Alan Burgess or a wonderful large tea bowl by Bruce Cochrane. This is part of the joy of collecting: connecting.

There is a wonderfully vivacious certain northern Finnish lady who comes into the gallery. Over the past three years she has built a collection of connections. Going to her home is such a treat as her functional ware is always in use. Somedays we dine with Meg Burgess, other times with Goyer-Bonneau. She and her husband enjoy and revel in their collection and willingly share it. Actually she has just come into the gallery while I was writing this and I was telling her what I had written. She agreed and started telling us how last night she was having wine in her Meg Burgess goblets and how using them she was thinking of Meg and remembering meeting her.

Anyway it is getting busy so I think I will sign off for today. Stay tuned!

Hello All

It seems ages since I last wrote in this blog. Actually it is ages. My sister Julie called me yesterday and asked when I would be doing an update. So here I am!

First of all I want to compliment Ceramics Monthly. I love how my new ad looks. It is the first time that I has advertised in the magazine and I have already booked my ad for the fall.

Finally! The book on Walter Dexter - The Torso Masterworks is out! The launch on March 1, 2012 was a success and the book is selling really well. Anyone interested in acquiring a copy just give us a call 1-866-229-5244. The price is $65 plus s/h. I am now working on the next two book in the Studio Artist series. One will be on Ruth Gowdy-McKinley (1831-1981) and the other on Joanne Copp. In the next few days the facsimile reproduction of Walter's sketchbooks will be available. This is a limited edition of 50 and includes a separate folio of five sketches signed and number by Walter. This is an excellent addition to the library of any collector interested in contemporary Canadian ceramics. The prepublication price is $250 and 21 copies are already spoken for!

I am heading off to Victoria on May 24th to the annual Fired-Up! exhibition in Metchosin. Walter Dexter was a member of the group now in its 28th year. It will be a treat to see everyone again. This will be my fourth time heading out for their exhibition. If you are in the vicinity pop in and see for yourselves what has evolved into the premier ceramic exhibition and sale in BC.Check out their website at http://www.firedup.ca/firedup/Welcome.html While there I will be signing copies of my new book "Walter Dexter - The Torso Masterworks". I am also pleased to report that the book is published in Canada by the Ronald P Frye Publishers. It was important to me that my publisher be Canadian. It seems so many Canadian Art books are published outside of Canada. In promoting the arts in Canada I believe that we support all the arts and supporting Canadian publishing, to me at least, seems an obvious choice.

I got an unexpected phone call earlier this week from Ottawa to inform me that I am to be a recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal. It is pretty cool to be recognized for promoting ceramic art in such a way. The awards ceremony is June 10th. I will give you an update after the ceremony.

For the past few years I have written a newsletter "Handful of Dirt". It is sent out o the artists. I am changing up the format and it will go out as a magazine. The first issue will be August 2012. It will be available by subscription to the public. Details are still being worked out but I am quite excited about the venture. If you are interested in subscribing please email jonathon@jonathons.ca. The magazine will highlight the artists the gallery represents and will discuss works in progress, upcoming events.

Well I think that is about all for the moment. Stay tuned for more updates as I am determined to be more regular in this section.

All the best!

Jonathons Wins!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jean Thompson, NICHE magazine

800.432.7238, ext. 218

jeant@rosengrp.com

Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery Wins a NICHE Top Retailer Award

Ceramics Gallery Earns Award for Promotions

BALTIMORE, Md. (Sept.1, 2010) – For its use of video to promote its artists, the Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery of London, Ontario, Canada, has won the NICHE 2010 Top Retailer Award for Best Advertising or Promotions. 

      The gallery, which bills itself as a “mecca for ceramic collectors in Canada,” has developed a series of video interviews with artists and a videotaped customer newsletter.  

      Posted on YouTube, the video newsletter reflects the personality of Jonathon Bancroft-Snell and the educational mission of his namesake gallery. 

      A recent video newsletter features Bancroft-Snell talking about “Upstarts,” a major exhibition  highlighting the groundbreaking work of Canadian ceramic artists born before 1940.  

      The interview videos provide engaging profiles of artists showcased in the gallery.  

      To see the videos, visit the gallery’s website at www.jonathons.ca and click the word “media.”

      The NICHE Top Retailer Award program is sponsored by NICHE, the exclusive trade magazine for retailers of fine craft. The award program annually recognizes retailers for their efforts to promote fine crafts made by U.S. and Canadian artists, to nuture and mentor artists, and to engage in fair business practices. For a complete list of the 2010 winners, see www.nichemagazine.com. 

        

About NICHE magazine

NICHE magazine (www.nichemagazine.com) is published by The Rosen Group, a Baltimore-based arts marketing, publishing and advocacy firm. The Rosen Group also publishes AmericanStyle magazine (www.AmericanStyle.com), an arts lifestyle magazine for enthusiasts, collectors and travelers, and produces the Buyers Market of American Craft (www.AmericanCraft.com), the nation’s largest wholesale craft tradeshow. For more information, images or interviews, contact Jean Thompson at 800.432.7238, ext. 218, or jeant@rosengrp.com.  –end-

JBS Video Newsletter Jul/Aug

Jonathon goes viral with the first edition of the JBS Video Newsletter!

Watch Newsletter Here

New Site is up!

Well it is finally done! I think that everyone will enjoy the new site both for its speed and ease in finding things. Ben, our new web designer, has created a really wonderful user friendly site that I think eveyone will enjoy. Now you can see the new youtube videos that we have been doing with BlackDog media. So far three of them are ready to be seen. So feel free to go to the media section and check out the videos on Walter Dexter RCA, Goyer-Bonneau RCA and Carol Rossman. Naturally there will be possible little glitches to iron out but I feel that Ben at Spur of the Moment Media has done a fantastic job.

Yesterday Brian and I filmed a new mini-video that will be up shortly. Actually I think everyone will see this as a site to return to regularly. we will also be using the blog part to inform people of new work arriving in the gallery. for our out-of-town clients this means they won't have to scour the site trying to figure out if we have anything new in.

At the moment it is late saturday afternoon and it is almost time to go home. So to all of you I bid adieu for now and will write more next week.

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.