Community Arts Vancouver’s participation in this year’s South Hill Festival was a “get your hands dirty” affair with clay sculpture artist James Kemp. The weather was kind to the festival this year and made it easy for folks to have a good time. Our booth was very popular, with crowds of children lining up to try their hands at clay sculpture. This year’s festival theme was “Water”. The water involved in the process of working with the clay and the making of pinch pots fit nicely with that theme.
James Kemp is originally from White Rock BC. He graduated with a psych degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University where he first started taking ceramic and sculpture courses. While at Kwantlen, he joined the Fraser Valley Potters Guild. In the guild’s group shows he received two awards: The People’s Choice award and the Best Amateur Ceramic Artist award. He has also had an extensive ceramic teaching back ground at various community centres. He graduated from Emily Carr University of Art and Design with distinction and was awarded the circle Craft Award for ceramics.
James recently worked with us at our BC Arts and Culture Week event “Invent” and Community Arts Vancouver was very pleased to work with him again at the South Hill Festival. James’s interaction with the children was a joy to observe. Watching their intent little faces, the light in their eyes and the pride in their parents’ made my day. We certainly hope that everyone enjoyed all that the festival had to offer and maybe learned a little about community arts. I wonder how many little clay sculptors were molded that day?
by Diana Joy
