The Butter Dish

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Alberta Craft Gallery, "The Butter Dish," 2019

The Butter Dish, the unsung hero of the kitchen, its possibilities are limitless, as object d'art it can be an expression of refined elegance, minimalism or even exuberant opulence. It can elevate a breakfast with home baked scones, accentuate the table at a luncheon with friends, or have a quiet presence on your counter. The Butter Dish, although sometimes overlooked, is a great addition to anyone’s home.

Growing up I can remember four distinct butter dishes that we used in our home. The one most used for cooking and summer picnics was an opaque plastic flat top box that held one stick of butter. The second that we used for daily meals at the kitchen table was a basic utilitarian style. Our family had two fancier covered butter dishes, one that was part of the white formal set of dishes given to my parents for their wedding and the fanciest of them all was the cut crystal butter dish that only came out of its hiding two times a year for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Since then I’ve seen so many iterations of this utilitarian vessel. I myself have used everything from a simple plate, covered glass, ceramic dishes, a French upside-down butter cooler and the one we have now created by our very talented friends, Tom Aitken and Kate Hyde, who are members of the Ontario Craft Council.  - Dawn Detarando

Curated, by ceramic artist Dawn Detarando, to be identical and run simultaneously in Edmonton and Calgary, The Butter Dish features the diverse work of over 20 contemporary ceramic artists who will show off their distinct creative voices while staying within the function of this traditional form. There is both narrative and abstract work, including accents with animals, landscape and nature while others will focus on the decorative use of clay and glaze applications to achieve rich textural surfaces. The Butter Dish, will have something for everyone’s taste and decorative palette, perhaps even something special to add to your holiday table.