About

The Originals

What is Fired Up?

The first Fired Up! Contemporary Works in Clay was hosted by the renowned Robin Hopper and Judi Dyelle in their Metchosin garden, where they brought together 12 ceramic artists who shared a vision of more than just another pottery sale. Their purpose was to show the public the many diverse ways of working with clay by demonstration and exhibition, and to promote the understanding and appreciation of ceramics as an art form.

Since that first exhibition, this annual show has become a much anticipated tradition in Metchosin, on the West Shore of Greater Victoria where Judi still runs Chosin Pottery and Gallery showcasing their work. Through the years, the artists of Fired-Up! have been featured in venues both across Canada and the USA, including 25th anniversary shows at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo, Ontario and at the Jonathon Bancroft-Snell Gallery in London, Ontario.

In the last decade, they also exhibited at two NCECA Conferences, in Portland, Oregon and in Seattle, Washington.

From 2015

Who is Fired Up?

Fired Up! Contemporary Works in Clay consistently offers an opportunity for the public to meet some of BC's best-known ceramics artists and to have first-hand access to their work. Since that first exhibition, this show has continued to run annually and there have been a total of 28 members of the Fired Up! group across that time.

The current core group consists of British Columbian artists who continue to produce and exhibit exciting and innovative functional, decorative and sculptural work: Vin Arora, Alan Burgess, Samantha Dickie, Sandra Dolph, Peter Flannagan, Sandy Harquail, Gordon Hutchens, Cathi Jefferson, Miera Mathison, and Kinichi Shigeno. Fired Up!

The show holds the distinction of being the longest running ceramic exhibition group in Canada and each year, along with the core group, guest artists are invited to exhibit their work. It is a unique opportunity to view the work of current ceramics “influencers” who have helped put Canada on the ceramic arts map, and whose knowledge and expertise continue to be foundational to practicing ceramic artists in the field.