Potter Lesley Lloyd is among some 50 artists whose work is now on display at local businesses participating in the lakecity’s 2014 Art Walk Show and Sale.
Born in the Okanagan, Lloyd attended school in Williams Lake and then studied for two years at UBC.
In 1973 she returned to the Cariboo after living in Australia with her husband. It was there that she first got the “clay-bug.”
She has been a member of the Cariboo Potters Guild since that time, taking whatever courses were offered here, but also travelling far afield to gain more knowledge.
Over the years she has dabbled in many areas of pottery, but tries now to concentrate on stoneware and raku, with elegant and decorative horsehair pottery being her specialty.
Lloyd, who owns and rides horses of her own, lays on hairs from the horse’s mane or tail while the pot is still hot from the kiln.
The hair leaves a unique and interesting pattern on the pot as it melts, but she has to make sure the pot is not so hot that the hair is burned off completly.
Lloyd says many of her customers now bring the mane and tail hairs of their own horses to be included in the design of a unique piece for themselves.
Lesley loves teaching pottery and finds that a very rewarding part of her artistic endeavours.
She teaches in Williams Lake through the city’s Leisure Services program and also in Wells through Island Mountain Arts during August.
Several special events are scheduled in conjunction with Art Walk this year.
The grand opening of Art Walk was held last Thursday at Lake City Ford followed by a guided tour of about 20 of the 52 participating businesses with Arty the Art Walker (Willie Dye) and interpreters Harry Jennings and Mary Forbes.
Aug.14: is the artists day on the walk which will be filmed by John Dell with help from Arty the Art Walker (Willie Dye).
Aug. 21: is busking day on the walk. Aug. 23: meet Arty at Red Shreds at 12:30 noon for a bicycle tour of the art walk. Sept. 4: is back to school day where students are invited to participate in the walk. Sept. 6: voting for the people’s choice award ends at 1 p.m. Sept. 8: Art Walk will wrap up at 8 p.m. with the announcement of the grand prize draw winner and people’s choice award winners will be announce.
The grand prize this year is a stunning necklace designed and hand-crafted by Coun. Geoff Bourdon.
2014 Art Walk and Sale booklets profiling artists and how to participate in this summer cultural event are available in numerous locations around the city including the Williams Lake Tribune/Weekend Advisor.