May 27 to September 4, 2005

And SELECTIONS FROM THE FUSION PERMANENT COLLECTION.

Two thousand and five marks the 30th anniversary of FUSION – The Ontario Clay and Glass Association. This occasion is marked with these two exhibitions, one that looks back, Selection from the FUSION Permanent Collection and one that moves into the future, Fireworks ’05.

FUSION started out as the Ontario Potters Association, a grass roots organization to promote the clay community in Ontario. Starting from a small group of like-minded people this organization has grown and nurtured young artists and provided a meeting place for more established artists and craftspeople over the years. These two exhibitions gauge the success of the organization during this time.

The work in ‘Selections from the Permanent Collection’ has been chosen from purchases made by FUSION from the organization’s most public commitment, the touring Fireworks exhibitions that have crisscrossed the province for over two decades now. These juried exhibitions have provided a consistent cross section of the wide variety of work available to the public and have been a barometer of the changing styles and directions of the clay and glass communities. While it is interesting to note some of the well-known artists represented in this selection of work, the lesser known artists are of equal quality and variety. Some names are very well known such as Harlan House and Kayo O’Young, but these artists often entered into the Collection when they were younger and their talent was not known to the wider world. The venue that these shows provide has helped to establish these artists and ceramics in general in the public eye as an exciting component of the arts community.

Fireworks ’05 is the latest traveling exhibition to be unveiled to the public. This exhibition is being held in conjunction with another organizational program of FUSION’s mandate, the annual FUSION convention. The convention is an educational conference bringing in nationally and internationally known artists in for workshops, lectures and discussions. These conferences bring together participants from across the province and give every one a chance to rub elbows and exchange ideas. The Firework’s juried exhibitions are traditionally opened in conjunction with the FUSION conference. This exhibition is a chance to have one’s work juried by both a national and international juror and then have one’s work viewed by both one’s peers and the general public. The selection of these shows is always varied, bringing together the work of the experienced pro and the young novice. The show points the way to the future of the art and demonstrates the continuing high standards the clay community strives for.

These two exhibitions happily demonstrate the vitality of the community and promote the organization that represents them. The strength of this group is reflected in the fact that after thirty years the organization is still run on a volunteer basis. Congratulations FUSION on thirty years of success.

Jonathan Smith, Curator –Burlington Art Centre and Fusion Board Directors