JAN PHELAN

Jan Phelan is a Canadian ceramic artist. She now resides and works in Ontario.

 

Collected Works
Jan's ceramic pieces, with their distinctive style, can be found in collections across Canada, throughout the United States, and in countries around the world. Her work is also available from the Mountain Galleries: Jasper+Banff AB and Whistler BC; the Silver Bonsai Gallery, Manteo NC and American Crafts, New York.

 

Commissions

• Commission by the Governor General of Canada for Rideau Hall in Ottawa, after winning the National competition to create 21 place settings.

• Canadian Bar Association, presidential gifts.

• E-7 Diplomatic Summit Conference, 50 gifts for visiting dignitaries.

• International Conference for NAPGA, 150 vases for delegates.

• Royal Victoria Hospital Ontario, 40 Awards for major donors.

• Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards, Midland ON.

• Oscar Peterson: special commissions and pieces collected over many years.

• The Reichman family, Olympia and York, purchase of corporate pieces.

 

Honours and Awards

• Niche Award of Excellence, Rosen Show, Philadelphia

  Presentation of a large porcelain vase to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher by Ontario Premier David Peterson

• Winner of 'The Perfect Setting', commissioned to create 21 table settings for the Governor General of Canada for Rideau Hall, Ottawa

• Presentation of a vase to the Chinese Minister of Foreign Economic Relations

• Presentation of a vase to Barbara McDougal by the Conservative Party

• John Mather Award, Best Ceramics is show, Ontario Crafts Council

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Selected Exhibitions

• International Craft Biennale, Cheongju Korea, International juried exhibition

• Museum of Vancouver “By Hand Contemporary Crafts” National juried show

• American Crafts Council Show, Baltimore, USA

• Parson’s Gallery, New Your City, USA

• Rosen Show, Philadelphia, USA

• Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Kitchener ON, feature artist

• Fusion, Ontario, Potters Association, travelling exhibition

• MacLaren Art Gallery, Barrie

• Gallery Vie, Hamilton ON

• Shelly Tadman Fine Contemporary Craft Gallery, Winnipeg

• Nancy Poole’s Studio Gallery, Yorkville, Toronto

• The Perfect Setting, grand winner of a National competition and International travelling exhibition

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Artist's Statement  

I was accepted into Ontario College of art at the tender age of 16, fresh out of St Joseph’s High School, and never having taken a single course in art. It was quite a shock but somehow the encouragement from my very supportive parents helped me through those 4 years, graduating with first class honours.

 

Favourite memories of my younger life are about our little island in beautiful Georgian Bay and riding horses around the lovely countryside north of Toronto. These experiences gave me my love of nature, with all of her many faces, and inspire me still.

 

Sojourn...to dwell somewhere for a space of time.

We are all “just passing through” on this earth and I am thankful for the gifts that sustain my spirit and creativity and allow me to live this life that I have. I give thanks for the uproar of an incoming storm!... forthe gentle morning mist and the delicate, fleeting wildflowers. But mostly, I am thankful for the life-dance of my two magnificent and beautiful daughters.