No holds barred critique

I am not sure why but I haven't been able to get my old buddy John Chalke off my mind the last two days. I was invited to the critique of the Sheridan College second year students yesterday. On my two hour drive there I thought of John and the importance of the critique. John gave me permission to say what I think about pots and to write. It was through John and the love of his life Barb Tipton that I was encouraged to write essays. I also attended a "No Holds Barred Critique" by John at the Harbourfront Center. He was soooooo kind to those that were new and enthusiastic. He was also absolutely brutal to those that thought their pooh didn't smell. He cut right to the bone and exposed what most of us thought but didn't have the guts to say.
I think that is a major problem at Art Centers, Guilds and pottery classes. Everything is pretty! Oh that is so pretty even if it is horribly crafted and aesthetically ugly. No one wants to be the fall guy.
I am proud to be part of the process at Sheridan. We have a fantastic faculty! We don't all agree but we have total respect for each other and the opinions put forward. The students benefit from our collective experience and

are very lucky indeed. The ceramics community misses you John.