Les Manning
Alberta ceramic artist Les Manning, the first president of the Canadian Craft Council, has died.
One of the founders of the Alberta Craft Council, he also ran the Banff Centre's ceramics program from 1974 to 1994 and later served as artistic director at Medalta in Medicine Hat, Alta.
Born in Provost, Alta., Manning studied ceramics at the Alberta College of Art in Calgary.
Among his many honours was was an Alberta Centennial Medal for his contribution to fine craft in Alberta.
Jenna Stanton, director of the Alberta Craft Council, praised Manning's contributions.
"His legacy will continue on exponentially with the inspiration he passed on through his teaching of artists and arts advocates, and the organizations he tirelessly devoted himself to."
Manning, represented by the Willock & Sax Gallery in Banff, Alta., created work that drew on his knowledge of the Canadian landscape.
"I find elements in these surroundings which I bring to the ceramic process, so that it becomes easily accessible to the viewer."
Source: Alberta Craft Council, Willock & Sax Gallery