Before your next IKEA run, where rows of identical coffee cups are waiting to be bought, take a walk through the MUD, Hands, fire. Wheel Thrown exhibition. 

The University of Manitoba’s School of Art’s exhibition of hand crafted pottery allows the audience to reflect on the creations potters can make.

“I wanted to highlight the work of some of Canada’s master potters alongside those at mid-career and others just starting their art practice,” Mary Ann Steggles says. The professor and associate director of the School of Art curated the gallery to have a variety of pieces that differ in practice, but also skill level.

“It’s good to see the contrast,” Steggles says. The exhibition, which runs from Oct. 2 through Dec. 18, will showcase more than 35 artists. 

Steggles’ main interest lies in Canadian wood firing – the process of using a wood burning fire instead of other sources of heat – but is not restricting the exhibition to just one art form. 

She says the ceramics area of the School of Art grew from a vessel making practice that was introduced by Ron Burke and Charlie Scott. To honour the tradition of their work, Steggles is including wheel thrown and high-fired stoneware as well. 

“This is one of the largest exhibitions of functional pottery in Western Canada,” Steggles says. “It is an opportunity for us to celebrate the vessel and those who have spent their life teaching and making and giving us beautiful objects to celebrate the simple rituals of living.”

As an artist, Steggles is particularly excited to feature the work of Ruth Gowdy McKinley. 

“She is the mother of Canadian wood firing and was so involved in the development of ceramics as a bona fide art form,” Steggles says. “She died young but I was fortunate to have met her in the 1970s.”

Seeing women potters at the forefront is another change Steggles has noticed in the craft since the 1970s, and she believes in their work.

“Back in the ’70s, most of the potters were men,” Steggles says. “Today there is a huge female presence and many of these young women will, in the future, be the ones winning the highest awards that Canada can bestow on its artists.”

While Steggles believes strongly in up and coming female potters, she also truly believes in pottery and its support here in Winnipeg.

“We are a city who values the vessel, the functional and the beautiful,” Steggles says. “It is extremely important to celebrate the handmade. We need to show everyone that there is value in pottery. We also need to educate people so that they can appreciate the effort that is attached to each piece and to appreciate the differences.”

Published in Volume 70, Number 5 of The Uniter (October 8, 2015)