Simcoe, ON – June 17, 2014 – A new exhibition at the Norfolk Arts Centre posthumously recognizes the contributions of April Maxwell to the artisan craft community in Norfolk County. On exhibition until August 16, April’s Journey: the life and work of F. April Maxwell features a selection of ceramics, quilts and other craft objects made by Maxwell over the last 20 years.
F. April Maxwell was a long-time resident of Norfolk County; she had a formative impact on the community as a teacher, volunteer and member of numerous craft guilds. As a respected educator and vice-principal, for years Maxwell taught for the Grand Erie District School Board. In 1968 she began teaching art and geography to elementary school students in the Simcoe and Waterford areas. She then taught at the secondary level at Delhi, Sprucedale and Waterford where she completed her 32 year career as a department head and vice-principal. For many years, Maxwell juried the elementary school art exhibition at the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show. Her vast knowledge of home crafts helped support youth interest in the second largest agricultural fair in Ontario. In honour of her contribution to arts education, the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show awards the April Maxwell Award for Best Piece of Art Work in Senior Classes.
During Maxwell’s 30 years as a member of the Norfolk Potters’ Guild, she played a significant role in the revitalization of the organization and in the ceramic activity of Norfolk County. Maxwell’s efforts as a member of the Potters’ Guild resulted in the purchase of new equipment vital to the learning of ceramic skills, the establishment of the Guild’s constitution and committees, the regeneration of the membership and the development of curriculum that advanced the learning and practice of ceramics in the community. Maxwell also helped establish an annual bursary that is awarded by the Norfolk Potters’ Guild to a graduating secondary student interested in post secondary education in fine art and crafts. The bursary has since been dedicated in her memory as the April Maxwell Memorial Bursary for the Visual Arts.
While Maxwell was advancing the interests of the Norfolk Potters’ Guild she was simultaneously fostering relationships with both the Norfolk Quilters’ Guild and the Twilight Quilters’ Guild which she joined upon her retirement. With her natural teaching abilities and her voracious quest for new skills she soon was serving as Program Committee chair for both guilds and bringing in innovative guest speakers and conducting colour theory workshops for the members. She took numerous quilt workshops from internationally recognized instructors and attended quilt shows in Canada and the US.
Maxwell was fascinated by the industry and production of ceramic arts in all processes. From hand–building to thrown forms, April revelled in all the processes that the ceramic art form provides. She was a restless experimenter of glazes, textures and forms. In both ceramics and quilting Maxwell continuously stretched herself with innovative patterns and use of colour to produce signature works of art, giving personal expression to her ideas.
April’s Journey: the life and work of F. April Maxwell will be on exhibition at the Norfolk Arts Centre from Sunday, June 8 to Saturday, August 16. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday and alternating Saturdays, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm or by appointment.
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For further information contact:
Deirdre Chisholm
Director/Curator
Norfolk Arts Centre
21 Lynnwood Ave.
Simcoe, ON N3Y 2V7
(519) 428-0540
[email protected]
www.norfolkartscentre.ca
