Downtown Vernon’s latest heritage mural has reignited interest in a pioneer artist.
The Allure of the Clay mural — which features potter Axel Ebring, was unveiled Friday at 3002 32nd Ave. (Sanders Medical).
“He loved the clay,” said lead artist Michelle Loughery of Ebring, who established a studio on what is now Pottery Road in the 1930s and produced pottery that was functional but eye-catching.
“His works were more like mosaics with the colours.”
Loughery felt a bond with Ebring as she worked on the giant painting over the summer.
“There were stories of if he didn’t want to sell his pottery to you, he would close his cupboard. I have those days,” she said.
Most of Loughery’s research was done at the Greater Vernon Museum, but some more personal experiences also influenced her design.
“A woman came by and she would watch him and her father play crib. He taught her how to play crib,” she said.
The Swedish immigrant, who died in 1954, was a traditionalist. He always used a foot-powered potter’s wheel and he never used a thermometer for his wood-fired kiln.
“Without modern technology, he was able to know temperatures. He lived his art,” said Dauna Grant, Vernon Public Art Gallery executive director.
“There’s a vibrancy to the colours in his glazes. His workmanship was amazing.”
The mural is being welcomed by those who celebrate the area’s past.
“It brings history out of the museum and into the community,” said Ian Hawes, museum president, adding that residents can relate to Ebring.
“People on East Hill talk of clay and they can see a connection to him. This guy wanted the clay.”
The tribute to Ebring is adjacent to another mural paying homage to a legendary local artist — painter Sveva Caetani.
“You can see growth in Vernon,” said Loughery of the importance placed on public art.
“I don’t see that in other communities I work in.”
The Allure of the Clay is the 27th mural downtown and it was an initiative of the Downtown Vernon Association and the City of Vernon.
Future murals are being considered, including one that would commemorate the First World War internment camp where W.L. Seaton Secondary sits today. People of Ukrainian origin were considered enemies by Canada at the time and families were held at the 27th Street site.
“It’s a pretty important story,” said Loughery, who is trying to obtain funding through the Aviva Community Fund competition.
Twenty-four sites across Canada are being looked at for murals about internment camps and human rights issues.
“Canada put 8,000 people who they invited to this country into jail,” said Loughery.
The DVA has established a committee focused on the murals.
“We are looking for citizens to join the committee and the conversations around what’s next with the mural program,” said Earl Hansen, executive director.
The first mural was painted in downtown Vernon in 1998.
