Established in 1955, the Potters Guild of BC is a nonprofit BC Society that owns and operates a social enterprise, the Gallery of BC Ceramics. The Gallery of BC Ceramics opened its doors on Granville Island in 1986. We have had 4 financially difficult years and must significantly change our business model to cover our operating costs, which are no longer covered by retail revenue. In order to continue operating a social enterprise in our current space, we must make urgent and drastic changes to our business model. The Potters Guild of BC is fundraising $25,000 to cover our costs to transition into a new business model that focuses less on retail and more on public workshop programming. The Craft Council of BC has generously set up a charitable fund for the Potters Guild of BC, and are able to provide tax receipts for any donations.
The Gallery of BC Ceramics is closing its doors at the end of February, and spending the month of March revamping our space and business model. We will reopen in April 2018 with an exhibition space available for our own programming and for rental, a reduced retail footprint and the majority of our space redesigned as a ceramic studio for public programming and member rental. Funds raised will go towards overhead costs in March when we will have no revenue while we transition our space, and equipment for our new studio space.
Keeping our presence on Granville Island means that we can continue to contribute to Vancouver's arts and culture with our events and programming for years to come.
Source: Gallery of BC Ceramics website