Pottery lovers won't want to miss the latest exhibit at The Station House Gallery in Williams Lake.
Gracing the upstairs gallery is A Legacy Through Clay - featuring dozens of pieces made by Anna Roberts, one of the founders of the Cariboo Potters' Guild in 1968.
Guild members Leslie Lloyd and Buff Carnes came up with the idea and gathered pottery created by Roberts from different owners for the display.
When Roberts, 95, attended the show's opening on Friday, July 12, even she was surprised to see so many pieces made by herself all in one room.
Bill Lloyd and Ray Coupé built small, wooden shelves for some of the pots to be placed along the wall. Others are sitting on shelves low to the ground or directly on the floor.
Beside one of the vases is a large piece of bark with intricate designs made by beetles, which Roberts used to make patterns on some of her pottery.
Guild co-chair Sheena Delany welcomed everyone to the show and described Roberts as having an "enormous influence" on the pottery guild and nature lovers in the Cariboo region.
Through Roberts' leadership guild members harvested clay and broad-based materials from various locations in the Cariboo and 66 years later her vision continues strongly in the Cariboo Potters' Guild, Delany said.
"Over the years, she has created many, many items that function in beauty, most reflect her knowledge and love for the great outdoors. Her ingenuity, artistry and expertise have been enjoyed by many."
Lloyd said she loved putting the show together.
"To see all her pots on their shelves was inspiring. And thanks to all the helpers it came together really well," Lloyd said. "Of course, there are so many more of Anna’s pots out there we could have another show."
Carnes said Roberts has contributed in many diverse ways to the enrichment of Williams Lake.
"With clay being one of them, the guild wanted to recognize her," Carnes said. "Her use of clay and raw glaze materials and using nature for her texture and form has influenced and will continue to influence many potters."
For many years, Carnes enjoyed making pots with Roberts in her studio and said she is appreciative of her friendship and all the knowledge she freely shared.
"When collecting pots for the gallery show we were amazed at the number of Anna pots that are being enjoyed in so many homes."
Long-time friend and local author Sage Birchwater said he plays cards with Anna every Friday evening.
"Anna was a huge inspiration. My late wife Caterina spent many hours going and learning how to make various pots and I have tons of them at home now," he said. "It was such a wonderful relationship with fun times and clay and that friendship continues."
Roberts grew up in rural Southern Quebec on farm.
She graduated in 1951 from McGill University in Montreal with a degree in plant pathology.
Roberts and her late husband, Dr. John Roberts, moved to Williams Lake from Ontario in 1958 after being newly married.
He was a veterinarian originally from Australia where he was born in 1922.
She formed the potters guild with Cariboo artist Vivien Cowan.
Ewa and Voytek Foik from the 100 Mile Area attended the opening and said they have been friends with Roberts for about 18 years.
"We grow cactus plants and one time she stopped at our place and told us our plants needed pots and she would show us how to make them."
Ewa said they spent two years driving back and forth to learn from Roberts and made at least 500 pots.
"We got addicted," Ewa said. "Even our daughter does it."
In 2017, Roberts was also honoured by the city of Williams Lake and the Williams Lake Field Naturalists for being instrumental in the development of the Scout Island Nature Centre and its educational programs.
A plaque presented to her read: "She (Roberts) has inspired generations of children and adults to engage and delight in the natural world and this legacy will continue for decades to come.”
The exhibit Legacy Through Clay is sponsored by Mary-Jo Hilyer and Cathie Hamm of Williams Lake and is on until Aug. 24.
