Breakthrough Plus
Fusion: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association
January 24, 2025 - March 23, 2025
Opening Reception: Winter ARTcrawl, January 24, 2025
FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association is the only not-for-profit organization dedicated to clay and glass artists in Canada. FUSION's mission is to encourage and promote excellence and quality in clay and glass, provide opportunities, a sense of community and continuing educational resources for members and people interested in clay and glass through tolerance, caring and acceptance.
Breakthrough PLUS is an exhibition for FUSION members at all career stages. Juried by Suzanne Carte, the Senior Curator at the Art Gallery of Burlington and Peter Flannery, the Senior Curator & Collections Manager at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery. The work in Breakthrough PLUS showcases the diversity of FUSION members and celebrates contemporary Canadian clay and glass.
As a not-for-profit arts organization, FUSION acknowledges the partnerships of the following organizations, be it in terms of funding support, sponsorships, donations or resource-sharing to plan, execute and manage events, programs and community outreach efforts. FUSION gratefully acknowledges support from:
Featuring:
Annika Hoefs, Barbara Banfield, Bram Locknick, Carolynn Bloomer, Charlie Larouche-Potvin, Cory-Lynn Styles , Cynthia O’Brien , Debra Sloan, Evan Ting Kwok Leung, Eekta Trienekens, Geordie Shepherd, Hannah Faas, Heidi McKenzie, Jane Garcia, Jocelyn Jenkins, Jonah Strub, Karen Franzen, Keenan O’Toole, Layne Verbeek, Leslie Putnam, Lisa Gwen Robbins, Maja Padrov, Marita Manson, Nikola Wojewoda, Peidi Wang, Queenie Xu, Sandra Ledingham, Shayne Berlin, Silvia Tagusagawa, Sydni Weatherson, Vanesa Trillia, Wei Cheng, Zara Gardener
Suzanne Carte, Senior Curator, Art Gallery of Burlington
I was so grateful to be a part of FUSION's anniversary exhibition and witness such an impressive array of artistic talent, representing the vibrant and dynamic creative clay and glass community within the province. I was struck by the innovative approaches and diverse perspectives evident in the submissions, reflecting the richness of Ontario's artistic scene.
All entries exhibited exceptional technical proficiency, with many artists demonstrating an adept understanding of form, texture, and colour. Whether through intricate ceramic vessels or luminous glass installations, each piece highlights a high level of skill and attention to detail.
There was a strong emphasis on storytelling and narrative, with many artists using clay and glass as a means of exploring complex themes and experiences. From intimate reflections on identity and memory to broader social and environmental concerns, the exhibition offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and material culture.
In addition to its artistic merits, the exhibition serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Ontario's arts community. 50 years strong! That is a huge feat! It is heart-warming to see so many artists continuing to produce work of exceptional quality and significance, underscoring the vital role of the arts in fostering connection, healing, and resilience. Overall, the FUSION exhibition showcases the talent, diversity, and innovation of Ontario's clay and glass artists, who offer audiences a compelling glimpse into the vibrant creative landscape of the province.
Peter Flannery, MA, Senior Curator and Collections Manager, The Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo
It was a pleasure to participate in the jury for FUSION’s 50th-anniversary exhibition and see the incredible talent of ceramic and glass artists across Ontario and abroad. This is such a creative community, and the work shows the unique approaches to these mediums and the impressive range of techniques and narratives explored by the members. As FUSION celebrates this milestone, the work of its artists demonstrates the role of art in creating new connections, telling our stories, and impacting our daily lives.
With such strong technique and use of each medium, all of the submissions reflect the vigor of this community and made for very difficult decisions. In diverse points of view and a wide range of form, colour, and narrative, the selected works highlight the varied approaches to ceramics and glass, and the ways in which we can connect to human experience, memory, and a wide range of social issues. I am so excited by the works and artists represented in this exhibition and commend all who submitted their work.
Many congratulations to FUSION on this anniversary and to all of the artists!
