COMOX, B.C. – North Island professional pottery instructor Gordon Hutchens is bringing his rare kiln to the Filberg Festival and Nautical Days.
Hutchens is among the artists, artisans and craftspeople who will be in Comox this weekend, with a selection of diverse offerings from their workshops, kilns and studios.
Hutchens will travel from Denman Island to showcase pottery from his rare Tozan Anagama wood-fired kiln, as well as crystalline pottery made from a programmable kiln.
Hutchens said festivals like Filberg and Nautical Days offer a valuable showcase for new and experienced artists alike, adding past students have benefited from the opportunity to meet patrons directly.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to have direct contact with customers in a beautiful venue, as well as a way to make a living,” said Hutchens. “Festivals like these are a great opportunity for artists.”
Katy Fogg, owner of Living Earth Pottery, will also be at Nautical Days to display her work to patrons. The long-time professional potter also studied under Hutchens at NIC.
“Gordon’s course was a wonderful experience,” she said. “Though I had been potting for 14 years at the time of the course, I learned so much from his incredible depth of knowledge. He brings a lifetime of pottery to his students and is a gifted teacher as well as an extraordinary potter.”
Kyle Miller, a graduate from NIC’s Joinery/Cabinetmaking Foundation program, will also be at the Filberg Festival under the name TGT Studios, along with wood-based furniture and art made specifically for the festival.
The Port Alberni-based artist sells and ships most of his furniture, art and custom work by commission to customers around the world, including the U.S., France, Luxembourg and parts of Asia, to name a few examples. His work includes a customized mic stand for rapper T-Pain.
Debuting a collection of items for sale at the Filberg Festival is an exception to how Miller usually connects with customers.
“It gives the people an exclusive opportunity to see the work – this is sort of giving the local market first crack at it,” he said.
The Filberg will also feature NIC Metal Jewellery Design instructor Cheryl Jacobs (Cheryl Jacobs Designs) and program graduate Tammy Cashato of Cashato Designs, who will be showcasing their earrings, pendants, bracelets and more.
Nautical Days will be home to fellow NIC Metal Jewellery Design graduate Ernie Smith’s Aboriginal artwork.
Comox Nautical Days celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and runs Aug. 4 to 6 in Marina Park in downtown Comox.
The Filberg Festival, an annual fundraiser for the Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park, begins Friday, Aug. 3 and runs until Aug. 6. The festival features 130 artisans offering metalwork, pottery, paintings, specialty foods and more.
For more on the festivals, visit www.filbergfestival.com and www.comoxnauticaldays.com.
