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ANNUAL REPORTApril 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017

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Current Board

President Chris Snedden 2015-2017

Past President/Nominations Barbara Banfield 2015-2017

Secretary Gene Timpany 2015-2017

Treasurer Ann Allen 2016-2018

Clay & Glass Show Christopher Reid Flock 2015-2017

Conference Ann Allen 2016-2018

Creative Directions Dianne Lee 2016-2018

Mentorship Barbara Banfield 2015-2017

Programming & Education Chris Snedden 2015-2017

Director Salina Szechtman 2016-2018

Director Marlene Zagdanski 2016-2018

Executive Director and Bookkeeper Deborah Freeman

Office Administrator Jenanne Longman

FUSION Board 2016-2017

FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association1444 Queen Street EastToronto, Ontario M4L 1E1Telephone: (416) 438-8946 Fax. (416) 438-0192Website: www.clayandglass.on.caE-Mail: fusion@clayandglass.on.ca

Table of Contents

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President’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Treasurer’s Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Conference 2016 Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Fall Workshop Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Winter Workshop Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Publications Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Scholarship and Awards Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Creative Directions Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Clay and Glass Show Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Minutes from AGM 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Audited 2017 Financial Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Front Cover: Fireworks 2017

The FUSION Board, staff and volunteers haveworked very hard this year. Our efforts in the form ofprograms, the web site, E-news, publications,awards, and scholarships continue to provide allwho are interested in clay and glass withinformation, advice, education, and opportunities toexhibit and sell their work.

Last June FUSION hosted five Master potters fromIcheon, South Korea to come and present theircenturies old decorative techniques to themembership, in a hands on participatory workshopat our annual Conference. Each Conference delegatereceived a box of blank clay pieces to work on, and aset of tools hand-made by the masters themselves.The masters Yu Yong Chul, Jo Se Un, Lee Hyan Gu,Choi Ing Gu, and Kim Seong Tae set to workdemonstrating throwing and decorative techniquesthat have been traditional in South Korea formillennia. They presented with grace and humourand all the participants went away with somethingthey could take back to their own studio practice.

The 2016 Clay and Glass Show was a resoundingsuccess in its second year with its new format andcash awards. The show attracted artists from allover the country to display their work, including acouple of installation pieces, at the WychwoodBarns in Toronto. It was amazing to see the work oftop artists from all over Canada gathered, sharingideas and inspiration.

2016/17 was the inaugural year of CreativeDirections, a new program intended to provideguidance to those who wish to progress in style andtechnical facility within their practice. FUSIONcontracted Michelle Mendlowitz to lead the group ofeager participants through an exploration ofpersonal style and technique. This program has itsown blog following the progress of, and profilingeach participant. As the year long series ofworkshops and critique sessions continues, it willculminate in a showing of the participants’ work thatI am very much looking forward to.

In October of 2016 we ran our second Fall Workshopwith great success. Hosted in partnership with theDeep River Potter’s Guild, the workshop featuredDon Goddard, a master of Shino. Participantsenjoyed a full weekend of demonstrations, glazing,critiquing and gas-reduction firing.

The 2017 Winter Workshop with Bryan Hopkins wasa great experience, hosted in conjunction with theMississauga Potters’ Guild, who pulled out all thestops to make their guests feel comfortable and athome. Bryan showed us his casting techniques,talked about the properties of various porcelains,and demonstrated the contrasting use of texture inhis compositions. He was a generous and excellentpresenter and we all learned a lot from him.

We continue to deliver the magazine digitally and towork on improving the content and presentation.The digital world is extremely challenging and weare most appreciative to Derek Chung whocontinues to provide tremendous support to FUSIONfor all its design needs.

We truly appreciate our donors for the awards aswell as our patrons that continue to come out andsupport the artists who work so hard to deliverquality handmade goods.

All of these programs have required the work of adedicated board and staff. I can not thank thefollowing FUSION Board Members enough: BarbBanfield, Past President; Ann Allen, Treasurer andDirector of the Conference; Sara Atkins, Director ofWorkshops; Salina Szechtman, Director at Large;Marlene Zagdanski, Director at Large; GeneTimpany, Secretary; Dianne Lee, Director of CreativeDirections; and Christopher Reid Flock, Director ofthe Clay and Glass Show. Supporting us all isJenanne Longman, Administrator, and DeborahFreeman, Executive Director and Bookkeeper. Thesetwo hard working individuals are the backbone ofFUSION. I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude toeveryone.

FUSION is extremely grateful for the continuedsupport from the Ontario Arts Council, Tucker’sPottery Supplies, Pottery Supply House, Longo’s,Potters’ Guild of Hamilton and Region, Longo’s,Deep River Potters’ Guild, Greenrock CharitableTrust, Art Gallery of Burlington, Jenny RushforthState Farm Agent, Craft Ontario, and all thevolunteers that step in throughout the year rightacross Ontario. Most importantly, we sincerelyappreciate all our members. FUSION’s Board andstaff look forward to another year of continuing toprovide programming and support to you. �

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President’s ReportChris Snedden, President

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The Fusion Board has been working hard togenerate a balanced budget and to rebuild ouroperating reserves. We have been making everyattempt to ensure that each program organized byFUSION either breaks even or generates a surplusto cover a portion of the overall costs to operateFUSION.

This past fiscal year we were able to generate asurplus of $10,240. This surplus is mainly due tothe success of 2016 Conference, plus each boardmember working diligently to ensure their programis successful and sustainable. �

Treasurer’s ReportAnn Allen, Director

FUSION hosted five Master potters from Icheon,South Korea during its 2016 Conference, June 3-5.Attended by 260 delegates, the Conference washeld at the Chestnut Conference Centre in Toronto.The Masters provided us with a weekend offantastic demonstrations of their throwing anddecorating techniques that have been traditional inSouth Korea for millennia. Delegates all had thechance to practice the techniques on greenwareprovided to them with tools hand-made by theMasters, which they got to keep.

The mug auction, held annually in conjunction withthe Conference, was a resounding success, raising

$2,800 for the Awards and Scholarship Fund. Thankyou to all who donated work and placed bids.

A highlight of the weekend was the reception heldat the Gardiner Museum Friday evening to celebratethe work of the masters: Yu Yong Chul, Jo Se Un, LeeHyan Gu, Choi Ing Gu, and Kim Seong Tae. Overall,everyone had a great time learning and networking.

FUSION would like to thank our Conferencesponsors, without whom we could not make ithappen: Longo’s; Pottery Supply House; Tucker’sPottery Supply; and Jenny Rushforth State FarmAgent. �

Conference 2016Chris Snedden, Director

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The 2016 Fall Workshop was held in partnershipwith the Deep River Potters’ Guild, October 22-23.This two-day workshop, entitled “ShinoExtravaganza; a glaze of great beauty,” wasdelivered by Don Goddard, one of Canada’s mostimpressive Shino experts.

Participants were instructed to bring their owncone 10 clay pots, which they glazed with Don’srecipes, using his techniques and a reduction firing

followed. This workshop also included an eveningprogram presentation and critique session.Participants came away with a set of new glazes,firing profiles and a richer understanding how toachieve dynamic results on interesting forms.

FUSION wishes to thank the members of the DeepRiver Potters’ Guild for hosting this event, and inparticular Eva Gallagher, for all the effort she putinto making this workshop a great success. �

Fall WorkshopBarb Banfield, Director

The 2017 Winter Workshop was held in partnershipwith the Mississauga Potters’ Guild, February 10-12.This two-day workshop was delivered by BryanHopkins from the USA.

Friday evening Bryan offered a lively and fun slidepresentation on his process of combining slip castslabs, throwing, surface manipulation and his loveof porcelain and its history.

On Saturday and Sunday, Bryan demonstrated hismethods of working in porcelain that led him tocreate a distinct body of work. He shared his lovefor translucence and surface manipulation whiledemonstrating his techniques using a combination

of wheel thrown, slab built, and slip-cast parts. Heinspired participants with his ideas aboutdesigning pots with a monochromatic approach inmind. He discussed his unique perspective onworking as a studio potter and what it takes tomake a living from the arts.

Bryan lead the group through exercises gearedtoward finding inspiration through personalexploration of one’s own practice. Attendees gainedthe skills and confidence necessary to exploreform, texture, line, and color.

FUSION thanks Longo’s for generously providingfood for this event. �

Winter Workshop

FUSION Magazine was published with theassistance of Helen Rudin, editor. Derek ChungCommunications assumed responsibility for design

of the magazine this year. We hope you areenjoying the updated format and look forward tomore changes in the coming year. �

Publications

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FUSION continues to support the Clay and Glasscommunity with its Scholarship and Awards Program.Our mug auction and other fundraising initiativescontinue to replenish FUSION’s Awards andScholarship Fund.

ScholarshipsSince the mug auction inception in 2010, FUSION hasassisted twenty two students and artists in furtheringtheir education.

This year we updated the Scholarship applicationprocess to be an entirely on line process. KeithCampbell of North Bay juried the Scholarship Awardsfor 2016. We had so many wonderful applications, itwas not easy to select only two. In his jurorcomments, Keith stated "... this has been the hardestdecision I have had to make in all the jurying duties Ihave had over the 45 years of my career."Congratulation to all who applied.

The two 2016 scholarships recipients were:

Jerre Davidson (glass)Stephanie Flowers (clay)

Design AwardsEvery year, our Guild Members take advantage ofbeing able to offer a FUSION Design Award to anartist in their juried exhibitions. This year’s winnerswere:

Frances Ward: Burlington Potters’ GuildHannah Pruder: London Potters GuildRobert Cheong: Mississauga Potters’ GuildPuck Janes: Ottawa Guild of PottersLeeAnn Janissen: Toronto Potters AssociationEekta Trienekens: Waterloo Potters’ WorkshopKarla Rivera: Potters’ Guild of Hamilton

and Region

Student AwardsThis year, FUSION was pleased to provide six awardsfor the 2016 graduating classes for glass andceramics students at Sheridan College. The awardstype were as follows:

• Technical Achievement Award: $250 + 1-year FUSION membership + ticket to FUSION's annual conference;

• Community Involvement Award: 1-year FUSION membership + ticket to FUSION's annual conference; and

• Award of Merit: 1-year FUSION membership.

2016 Recipients:

FUSION Technical Achievement Award (ceramics):Gracia Isabel Gomez

FUSION Community Involvement Award (ceramics):Amanda Kopas

FUSION Award of Merit (ceramics):Andrew Pierce

FUSION Technical Achievement Award (glass): Collin Walsh

FUSION Community Involvement Award (glass):Eric Di Mascio

FUSION Award of Merit (glass):Phebe Leung

Volunteer of the Year AwardsFusion is very grateful for the support it gets everyyear from its members to help us deliver numerousprograms and workshops. For the year of 2016 weacknowledged the following volunteers for theiroutstanding commitment.

Barbara RoseGary De RocheKarla RiveraShelagh Mirski

Clay & Glass Show AwardsFUSION was very pleased to present the followingawards of excellence at the 2016 Clay and GlassShow:

Best in Show $1,000: Lesley McInallyBest in Ceramics $500: Carolynn BloomerBest in Glass $500: Courtney Downman

The following generous donors made these awardspossible: The Greenrock Charitable TrustBill PooleShane Norrie. �

Schoarship and AwardsBarbara Banfield, Director

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In the fall of 2016, FUSION launched CreativeDirections. Creative Directions has been designedto meet the needs of ceramic artists with severalyears of experience and who have achieved areasonable level of competency. It grew out ofrequests for a more hands-on approach tostrengthen and expand skill bases, and takemembers artistic practise to new levels.

Creative Directions is an 18-month long programthat develops new professional relationships,critical thinking, sourcing and resolving new ideasand provides participants the opportunity toexhibit their work publicly.

Through a series of hands-on, day long workshopsand critiques participants were encouraged topractice new techniques, take creative risks, opentheir work and ideas to group discussions, researchnew ideas and work towards the exhibition.

Creative Directions is unique in that it is the onlyextended educational program for intermediateartists to expand their work both technically andconceptually. The program is unique in itsstructure, which combines demonstrations andhands-on learning, with group discussion,feedback, and self-critique.

Fifteen participants were selected to take part inthe program from twenty applicants, and they meteight times. Their meetings were split into fourworkshop and four critique days and split betweenthe Visual Arts Centre of Clarington, the ArtisanCentre Peterborough and the studios of theKawartha Potters' Guild. The group was lead byMichelle Mendlowitz who provided the expertisefor the program.

In the summer of 2017 an exhibition to concludethe program will take place August 17 - September10. In preparation for the exhibition participants areundertaking several activities including: producingseveral well resolved pieces of work; professionalphotographs of the work; and artist statements. Formany participants the exhibition will be their firstopportunity to partake in a curated exhibition.

FUSION would like to acknowledge funding supportfor Creative Directions from the Ontario ArtsCouncil (program grant) and the Potters’ Guild ofHamilton and Region. FUSION would also like tothank the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington,Kawartha Potters' Guild and the Artisans CentrePeterborough for their support with CreativeDirections. �

Creative DirectionsDiane Lee, Director

The 2016 Clay and Glass Show was held at theWychwood Barns in Toronto, October 14-16. Onceagain, 36 invited and juried artists participated.The show provided participants with a 6’x6’ spacein which to display their work. New this year wasthe introduction of installation spaces andemerging artist 3’x6’ spaces.

Juried participants and award winners wereselected by Alan Elder of the Canadian Museum ofHistory.

The event lunched with a wonderful reception andawards ceremony. FUSION thanks Gay Longo, of

Longo’s, and Sleeman Breweries for their verygenerous opening reception donations of food andbeer respectively.

FUSION extends a huge thank you to our awarddonors: The Greenrock Charitable Trust, Bill Poole,and Shane Norrie.

The 2016 Clay and Glass Show award winners were:

Best in Show $1,000: Lesley McInallyBest in Ceramics $500: Carolynn BloomerBest in Glass $500: Courtney Downman �

Clay and Glass ShowChristopher Reid Flock, Director

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FUSION: THE ONTARIO CLAY ANDGLASS ASSOCIATIONMINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERALMEETINGChestnut Centre, University of TorontoToronto, ONJune 4, 2016

1. PRESIDENT’S WELCOME ANDINTRODUCTION OF BOARD MEMBERSPresident Barbara Banfield called themeeting to order at 1:08 pm andwelcomed conference delegates andthanked board members for all theircontinued work and dedication toFUSION.

Board members who were present andintroduced:Vice President, Director of Educationand Programs: Chris Snedden

Secretary and Director ofCommunications: Gene Timpany

Treasurer and Director of Conference:Ann Allen

Director of Membership and GuildEngagement:Jenny Rushforth

Director of Workshops: Sara Atkins

Director at Large: Jen Leis

Staff present and introduced:Executive Director: Deborah Freeman

Office Administrator: Jenanne Longman

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THEANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: June 6,2015June 6, 2015, Mohawk College, ONBarb asked for additions or correctionto the June 6, 2016 AGM minutes. Nonewere given.

MOTION: Maureen Geraghty movedand Alison Brannen seconded that theminutes for the Annual GeneralMeeting of June 6, 2015 be accepted ascirculated. Motion carried

3. ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORSREORTSBoard of director reports werepresented. Please see attached annualreport.

4. FINANCIAL REPORT AND AUDITEDFINANCIAL STATEMENTSAnn Allen presented the financialreport and the audited financialstatements.

MOTION: Gary DeRoche moved andJennifer Assinck seconded to acceptthe financial report as submitted.Motion carried

5. ELECTION OF DIRECTORSSlate of Nominees

Ann Allen – re-electionDianne LeeStephen St. AmantSalina SzechtmanMarlene Zagdanski

MOTION: Judy Donaldson moved andChristie Gruppe seconded that theslate of nominees as listed be electedto the FUSION Board of Directors for atwo-year term.Motion carried

6. APPOINTMENT OF THE AUDITORMOTION: Duncan Aird moved and AnnAllen seconded that the firm of JefferyD. Milgram, Professional Corporationbe appointed to audit the accounts ofthe Association for fiscal 2016-17.Motion carried

7. Membership RatesMOTION: Gary DeRoche motioned andCarol Rossman seconded that allmembership category fees beincreased by $10 per year as of July 1,2016. Motion carried

As a result, the new fee schedulewould be: Regular Members – one-year $ 75 Regular Members – two-year $ 130 Members of Affiliated Societies – one-year $ 70

Members of Affiliated Societies – two-year $ 120

Senior Members – one-year $ 50 Senior Members – two-year $ 80 Student Members – one- year $ 40 Student Members – two-year $ 65 Family or Group Members – one-year

$ 95 Family or Group Members – two-year

$ 170 Affiliated Society and Co-operating

Institution – one-year $ 95 Affiliated Society and Co-operating

Institution – two-year $ 170 Outside of Canada – one-year $ 95 Outside of Canada – two-year $ 170

8. Outside Canada membership RatesMOTION: Jennifer Assinck motionedand Margaret Showalter seconded thatthe “Outside of Canada” membershiprate be the same as the “RegularMember” rate as of July 1, 2016.Motion carried

9. Family/Group MembershipCategory RemovalMOTION: Ann Allen motioned andKathy Matsushita seconded that the“Family or Group” membershipcategory, as defined in the FUSION by-laws, Section 14, clause 3 be removedfrom the types of membership as ofJuly 1, 2016.Motion carried

10. New BusinessBarbara Banfield presented Volunteerof the Year Awards to:

Shelagh MirskiBarbara RoseGary DeRocheKarla Rivera

11. AdjournmentJudy Donaldson motioned and IrisDorton seconded that the AnnualGeneral Meeting be adjourned.Motion carried.

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FUSION gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following generous supporters:

Acknowledgements

www.rushforthinsurance.ca

MississaugaPotter’sGuild

Derek Chung Communications

Gardiner Museum

Art Gallery of Burlington

Deep River Potters' Guild

Visual Arts Centre of Clarington

Kawartha Potters' Guild

Artisans Centre Peterborough

Greenrock Charitable Trust

Bill Poole

Shane Norrie