We are so delighted to be able to introduce you to Jane Murray -Smith.  She  has been a familiar voice in the pottery world here on Vancouver Island for many years, being an integral member of the Comox Valley Potters Club for many years. 

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This month, we are welcoming Jane to join us in the gallery on a full time basis and are we ever lucky!

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Her work is esquisite, well crafted and unlike other pottery you have seen in our gallery. 

Jane is a lifetime British Columbia resident and a lover of the west coast. She was born in Kamloops B.C. and graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Victoria in 1972.
While employed at various jobs within the helping professions, she explored watercolour and life drawing. As much as she loved watercolour, the call for more texture in the surfaces led eventually to clay. Jane took her first course in clay in 1990, and became intrigued with the potential of clay as her new medium. Further studies included courses offered by fellow potters in guild situations as well as at the Metchosin Summer School of the Arts.

The mentorship and generosity of professional potter friends continued to encourage her growth and in June of 2002, Jane quit her day job in order to pursue pottery full time.
The summer of 2003, she joined with a group of potters in a thriving storefront gallery, which led to many hours spent practicing and refining all aspects of my work.

“I create raku pottery, as well as naked raku, horsehair and feather as well as saggar fired decorative work. My functional pieces are gas fired.

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The focus of everything I make begins with the form speaking to me when it is complete. With all of the decorative work, I use several different processes that rely on the kiln gods responding to my ongoing exploration. I particularly love creating lidded jars, incorporating driftwood from the rivers and beaches of the island.”

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Be sure to stop by the Potters Place Gallery this month when we will be showcasing a lovely selection of Jane’s work and welcoming her to participate in our gallery as a potter you’ll be able to see the work of in regular rotation throughout the year.