Alan Burgess

In 1973, Alan and his wife Meg moved to Caeathro, near Caernarfon in North Wales, where they established Caeathro Pottery. They produced a wide range of functional and decorative stoneware pottery and became full members of the Guild of North Wales Potters and an exhibiting member of the Red Rose Guild of Master Craftsmen of Great Britain. Alan also became the head of the Ceramics Department at Bolton College of Art in England from 1975-1980, coordinating a three-year vocational course in Studio Ceramics and teaching in the Fine Arts Diploma program.

In 1980, Alan was appointed as the Pottery Consultant to the Welsh Development Agency before emigrating with his wife and two daughters to British Columbia, Canada, in 1982. In 1983, he established Little River Pottery in Comox, BC, producing thrown and press-molded decorative and functional stoneware pottery.

From 1984-1992, Alan taught part-time university transfer courses in ceramics and 3D Design at North Island College in Courtenay, BC. In 1992, he became a full-time member of the Fine Arts Faculty and Department Chair, establishing a two-year Fine Arts and Design Diploma program at the new campus in Courtenay. As Department Chair, he was involved in the design of the new Shadbolt Studios and the partnership between North Island College and Emily Carr University, establishing an external BFA program at the NIC campus.

In 2014, Alan retired from North Island College but remained an active member of “Fired Up” Contemporary Works in Clay, a group of BC ceramics artists and potters who have exhibited in major galleries across Canada and the USA. Throughout his career, Alan has been a master of his craft, teaching and inspiring others with his knowledge and skills.