MetchosinB次元官网网址檚 annual B次元官网网址淔ired Up!B次元官网网址�  contemporary works in clay is reaching beyond British Columbia to celebrate acclaimed ceramic artists from across Canada.

The Fired Up group is collaborating up with Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery in London, Ont., for this yearB次元官网网址檚 event.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 time they open up the door to other artists. This is the first time they have had a guest gallery,B次元官网网址� Bancroft-Snell, said from London.

B次元官网网址淭he caliber of artists I show is on par with the caliber of the Fired Up artists. IB次元官网网址檝e been showing members of the Fired Up group for 10 years.B次元官网网址�

East Sooke potter Marlene Bowman, is one of the Fired Up veterans who displays her work in Bancroft-SnellB次元官网网址檚 gallery.

Bowman has been producing ceramic art professionally for almost 30 years.

B次元官网网址淚t was love at first feel,B次元官网网址� said Bowman, 77. B次元官网网址淢y greatest pleasure is playing with the wet clay.B次元官网网址�

When creating her art, Bowman uses computer circuit boards, a fish spine, a piece of a bleach bottle and a cactus to create texture.

B次元官网网址�(The imprint) of the computer board becomes smooth and beautiful,B次元官网网址� Bowman said as she slams and pulls clay slab on her work table.

Organizers expect ceramic artwork at this yearB次元官网网址檚 Fired Up to vary from, functional to visual to abstract. The pieces are fired in a variety of ways including, salt, smoke, electric or reduction firing.

B次元官网网址淓ach one has a different outcome and different effects,B次元官网网址� Bowman said, noting her pieces are fired in an electric kiln.

While Bancroft-Snell has been working with Fired Up artists for a decade, he also regularly attends the Metchosin event, now in its 27th year. Many of his gallery clients from eastern Canada and the U.S. also fly to Victoria to attend Fired Up.

B次元官网网址淔or the last two years IB次元官网网址檝e flown out to see the show,B次元官网网址� he said.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 theme is B次元官网网址淎xis of Art,B次元官网网址� about about the relationship between the creator, connector and the collector.

Bancroft-Snell considers himself a connector between artists and customers. B次元官网网址淪omeone has to be the connector.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 own the largest Canadian contemporary ceramic gallery in the country,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淐eramic art is the last affordable art form in Canada.B次元官网网址�

Bancroft-Snell said an immense amount of talent that comes out of the Fired Up group.

B次元官网网址淭hey are united by their high quality of work,B次元官网网址� Bancroft-Snell said. B次元官网网址淵ou will not find any artist of this caliber anywhere else in B.C..B次元官网网址�

Fired Up contemporary works in clay 2011 exhibition is at the Metchosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Rd.

The show runs May 26 to 29. The opening gala is May 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. From May 27 to 29 the show is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See web.me.com/glenysmarshallinman/firedup for more.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com