It may be a sticky, sinking nuisance, but the clay that lies beneath the surface in some east Vernon neighbourhoods is a haven for potters.
Hailing from Ireland, Sarah Ryan is working with the local clay, known for cracking foundations, to create her creations as the Caetani Cultural Centre’s newest CeramAiR (ceramics artist in resident).
Her work culminates with a solo show at the Vernon Community Arts Centre (VCAC) in May.
While she has been staying at the Caetani Cultural Centre, Ryan has been working out of the VCAC since February and has been excavating clay along Pottery Road, the same area made famous by local pioneer potter Axel Ebring in the 1930s.
Along the way, Ryan has met people that have helped her collect and transport the clay, although most of the time, she has been transporting the material herself by bike and a backpack.
More recently, she has branched out from Pottery Road, sourcing clay from a nearby construction site.
While the process depends a lot on the nature of the clay, Ryan says the work she produces in the studio is not necessarily the most important part.
Not only does the ritualistic process of digging up and working the clay become a huge part of her work, but so does the community aspect, she said.
“Being a part of the Vernon Community Arts Centre has had an impact on the work, from the overheard conversations to the sharing of knowledge, the nature of working in a shared space with other ceramicists adds another layer of meaning.”
Ryan is bringing the landscape inside and offering it to the community in a different way, adds Caetani Cultural Centre excutive director Susan Brandoli.
“When Sarah arrived here at the arts centre in February, she only brought with her a notebook and pencil, so everything in her studio now has either been found, given or loaned,” she said.
This, Ryan says, goes back to the whole notion of process, through which relationships are created: relationships with other ceramicists, the community, the clay and even my bike and backpack”
While some of Ryan’s work will be installation based, much of it involves testing the properties of the local clay she digs up.
Through some minor tweaking, Ryan and the VCAC ceramics studio technicians have created a glaze from the Pottery Road clay, which is said to be beautiful and stable.
“In a sense, she is retracing the steps of Axel Ebring, although unlike Ebring, her work is not about production,” said Brandoli.
After her residency, Ryan is planning to leave most, if not all, of the clay and glaze testers behind, with the intention of leaving it as a gift for the community.
And for those who live or are travelling along Pottery Road, Ryan has left another gift: little clay figurines that have been hidden along the route.
Ryan will present a talk on her past work, artist residency and current explorations, Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the VCAC (east entrance to Polson Park, next to the Okanagan Science Centre). For more information, visit www.caetani.ca or call 250-275-1525.