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Work of A.Y. Bain on display at Northview Gallery
Photos and story by James Hill
This fall the Northview Gallery at Portland Community College is showcasing the ceramic work of a longtime Oregon artist and instructor.
The exhibition of A.Y. Bain’s work will be on display from Nov. 6 through Dec. 12 in the gallery, Room 214, CT Building, Sylvania Campus, 12000 S.W. 49th Ave. A special discussion of the artwork is set for 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, Room CT 212 (next to the gallery). A reception will follow. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A.Y. Bain, also known as Al Bain, is a native of Calgary, Canada who was a professional artist and teacher for more than 40 years. After receiving a Canada Council Study grant, he went to the University of Oregon where he received his master’s degree in ceramics. Bain has taught at Portland and Mount Hood community colleges, David Thompson University Centre and Kootenay School of Art in Nelson, B.C., Anderson Ranch in Snowmass, Colo., and Queen’s College in Nigeria. From 1991 to 1994, he chaired the art department at PCC’s Sylvania Campus.
Bain‘s passion for zoology, biology, art and the environment resonated through his artwork. Many of the pieces in this show reflect themes of fir trees, waves, animals and plants that are unique to the Northwest and mirror a tradition of Western pottery.
“As a teacher, he was seldom interested in the end product but focused mainly on interacting with students and their experience of the ceramic process,” said Sarah Bain, daughter of the late artist. “Some of the art in this show was inspired by the extensive band of students and artists of PCC. Other works were fired in the kilns at Sylvania Campus or with college students at annual pit-fires on the Oregon Coast. These pieces present an exhilarating retrospective of A.Y. Bain pottery.”
For more information, contact the gallery director, Vicki Wilson, at (503) 244-6111, ext. 3705.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »