Member of the Month
Anne Rurak

Full Name: Anne Rurak

Medium: Clay

How long have you been doing your art: 39 years

What got you originally interested in the art you do: I went to a children’s summer camp where we did hand building and Raku type firing and I got hooked. The volunteer facilitator lived an hour away from me and I would bus out on Saturday mornings, to learn more.

What is something you have learned about yourself through your art: That the exposure to others in the art community is so broad and wonderful. We all share. Boundaries are limitless.

What do you enjoy the most about your art: Using very raw material to craft something that is usable and beautiful and can be enjoyed in everyday life for many years.

What is your favorite joke/quote: As the Butterfly said… all we need is a little flower, sunshine & freedom.

Hans Christensen…….

What is something most people don’t know about you: I love chocolate, really good European dark chocolate. Every day should have just a little piece of chocolate, make it complete.

If you could teach everyone one art medium or method, what would it be, why: Sketching. But the precursor is looking. Taking the time to breathe, wait and really see and capture the moment. I believe everyone has the ability to put on paper what they see and how they see it, to share with others or just enjoy it for themselves. It is such a reasonably priced art form… Simply a pencil and paper.

What do you think makes art important: The diversity. We as individuals all perceive our view of the world so differently. How we express it outwardly to share with others, enriches this world. Here’s an example… at the Farmers Market today there were  4 potters selling, all members of the local guild.

At each display, such an broad range of usage of clay. Many of us use the same clay body but how we play and craft our products, is so vast and the finished pieces are so very different. All really solid forms with well executed function. A great example of the endless means of creativity

Why are you a member of the Kamloops Arts Council: Being a member keeps me informed and involved. It allows me to follow others and share community, provincial and even international events. It supports others and keeps the local scene stimulating. It makes me feel like part of a family when otherwise my actual day to day studio work keeps me spending too much time in solitude.

What are you looking forward to the most in this upcoming year (A special show or project you’re working on): The improvement in the pandemic restrictions so I can countinue down at the Shadbolt Centrr for the Arts and in Australia, doing more wood firings.