To Teach, To Learn, To Share

Holiday Wishes

As Chair of the Board for KPG, I would like to take a minute to thank all of our wonderful customers, students and members.  We never thought we would grow as much as we have during Covid and we are very thankful for all of you.  This year has been the first full year of classes, sales and summer camp, since 2019.  We have been very happy to welcome all of you back and introduce your new friends to our great shop, teachers and members.  We look forward to seeing you again in 2024.  

The Guild will be closed for business and regular operations from December 24, 2023 – January 3, 2024, opening again on January 4th.  Classes will begin the week of January 8th and as of this writing, there are still a few spaces left.  

From all of us, to all of you, we hope you have a healthy and happy holiday season, and we wish you the brightest, and most creative New Year.

Summer Clay & Play Camp!

We are filling up fast for our popular Summer Clay & Play Camp.  Our facility is air conditioned and open, giving your children comfort and a safe place to breathe in these smokey and hot summer days.  If your child is interested in the arts, our week long day camp is for them.  Ages 7-12 (we do have a Teen week in August for those 13-17), running from 9 a.m to 4 p.m Monday-Friday, we spend most of the week playing with clay.  Please visit our Camp page for more details or don’t hesitate to contact us via email or phone: 705-742-4979. 

One of our week 1 campers building her castle shaped candle holder
One of our first week campers making a castle shaped candle holder.

Teen working on finishing a hand built mug

Campers displaying finished projects for parents
Campers displaying finished projects

Holiday Profile – Jo Ryan

Promo rack card for Jo Ryan

In her own words: “I was an Arts Educator for 33 years. I have honed my craft both in the classroom and in workshops under the guidance of many gifted potters. I work in slab, treating the clay like a piece of paper where I manipulate shapes, textures and eventually colour to create surface tension, rhythm and for the most part, informal balance.  At that point I consider function and complete the vessel.”

Jo will be joining our other potters at our Holiday Sale.  Come visit us and find out why our sale is a Peterborough tradition.

Green divided chip/dip platter - Jo RyanDk blue oval tray with handles - Jo RyanSquare green textured plate - Jo Ryan

Holiday Profile – Ginny Clark

holiday sale rack card for Ginny Clark

Ginny’s Practical Pots

“I have been admiring and collecting pottery for over 45 years. Three years ago, I decided to try my hand at creating my own pottery. I quickly realized that it’s not as easy as it looks! I am following a journey of learning, creating and experimenting. I have gone from being completely surprised at how well something has turned out, to becoming more confident at designing and decorating my own pieces. I am having a great time crafting unique, functional items for everyday use.

I am looking forward to learning more decorating techniques, experimenting with new designs and skills, and incorporating them into my own creations.”

3 mugs decorated with queen anne's lace imprint in different coloursyellow glazed tablet holder

three legged plant potlace imprint sink brush holder

Holiday Profile – Dan Hill

My current focus as an artist/craftsperson in the 21 st century is to act as a counterbalance to the sterile, poorly designed machine made products that surround us in our daily lives.

With my functional pottery I combine contemporary design and decoration within a historical context in an attempt to bring a sense of ceremony and humanity into the
user’s everyday life. My One-of-a-Kind vessels push the boundaries of form and function but as with the functional work retain the marks of the maker, the process and the fire.

Soda Firing highlights all of the handcraft processes and leaves a visual imprint of flame and soda vapour movement within the kiln. When all goes right in this potters
world the imprint of the fire animates the ceramic surfaces and breathes life into my
work.”

We love Dan’s soda fired pottery! You can find his works and those of other potters at our upcoming Holiday Pottery Show & Sale starting Nov 30th!

 
Rectangular tray with colourful glaze painting - Dan HillDan Hill painting a teapotCanoe shaped boat in light green - Dan Hill
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Holiday Sale Profile – Brenda Sullivan

Rack Card promo for Brenda Sullivan

Brenda’s creations are based on natural elements that pre-date recorded history. Dragons, Mythology,
and a touch of Art Nouveau are found in a variety of pieces that Brenda creates. She has both feet firmly
planted in the ceramics world, one in funk-tional, the other in sculpture.

Brenda continues to expand her repertoire , testing new forms and ideas. She will continue to grow her
new series “Jelly Bean Row Pots” based on the colourful houses from her Newfoundland origins. Nature
inspired sculptures are always on the horizon of possibilities.

You will find Brenda’s and 27 other potters’ work at our Annual Holiday Sale, November 29 – December 1, 2019 at our Talwood location.

 

East Coast Dory by Brenda SullivanBlue dragon teapot by Brenda SullivanFish painted on a platter by Brenda Sullivan

Brenda Sullivan

brenda sullivan teapot

Brenda’s new line of pottery was inspired by the “Jelly Bean Row” houses from her home town, St. John’s NF. The pots are sturdy, functional and fun , just like Newfoundlanders!

 

Tanya Couch

Tanya Couch white mug with blue elephant

Tanya loves to travel and often finds inspiration in the exotic patterns and vibrant colours of South East Asia. Her most recent works fuse textile designs from western India with traditional glazes from Vietnam and Cambodia.

Helen Vanya

Helen Vanya's burgundy raku fired pot

A graduate from Sheridan College, majoring in ceramics and design, Helen Vanya has her studio under the name of Forma Pottery.  It is located in Havelock, Ontario.

She works with Cone 10 Porcelain, and her Raku, functional and decorative pieces are fired in a reduction kiln.  She is a popular potter at our annual shows.

Kawartha Potters' Guild