To Teach, To Learn, To Share

Canadian Ceramics Directory & Showcase

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From their blog just recently, Make and Do is a new ceramic website.

make and do has been in idea kicking around for a long time, and then finally last November Carole Epp and Mariko Paterson decided enough was enough ~ let’s make this happen and let the good times roll.

what are we here for? CERAMICS! what do we want? MORE CANADIAN CERAMICS!

yup that’s right, it’s about time that Canadian clay artists started blasting they’re own horns and showing the world what we’re made of.

it’s come to our attention in the last few years that while Canadian artists have a pretty great view into what’s happening in the craft sector of other countries (particularly the US), we often have a limited view as to what’s going on in our own country and community of practice. plus those outside our borders often miss the amazing art that’s being created here. geographical divide no more! time for us to take a peek into the studios of artists across our great country, work together, and show off what’s happening in the contemporary Canadian clay scene.

so join us on this new adventure, get involved, help us spread the word, and most importantly let’s make and do all things wonderous and ceramic.

Source: welcome to make and do!

Potters’ Guild helps Camp Ooch

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Lee-Ann Choquette of the Kawartha Potters’ Guild was at the 25th Curl for Kids bonspiel in Norwood which raises funds for Camp Oochigeas, a multi-faceted camp that serves children with cancer. Pottery made by children at the Guild’s “Clay & Play” summer day camp are being sold to raise funds to buy a wheel and kiln for Camp Ooch. Photo: Bill Freeman

Norwood – The Kawartha Potters’ Guild is giving Camp Oochigeas a boost thanks to inspiration from its youngest artisans. For the past two years, youth at the Guild’s summer camp have sold pottery with profits going to their chosen cause and this past year they picked Camp Ooch, a residential camp for children with cancer that has grown to offer programs at Sick Kids Hospital, its Ooch Downtown site on Bathurst Street and other regional treatment centres.

 

Everyone’s a winner!

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We would like to thank everyone that attended our Christmas Show and Sale this year.  It was a huge success and we heard nice things about the giveaways (if you were lucky to get one) as well as the pottery for sale.

We had prizes for the potters and well as a door prize draw.  The winners of our own were:

  • Best Functional, Priya Harding – $100 gift certificate from PSH
  • Best Non-Functional, Linda Harris (3rd year in a row) – $100 KPG gift certificate
  • Best Newbie, Heather Brooks – $50 KPG gift certificate
  • People’s Choice Award, Bill Reddick (2nd year in a row) – $100 gift certificate from Tuckers

Congratulations!

The winners of the door prize were:

  • Dorothy Tuckerman
  • Doreen McDougall
  • Sonia Aviles

Congratulations to our three winners.  They each won a piece of pottery that was displayed during the sale.2015-group

Christmas Show work

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It’s hard to imagine, when you come to a show and see it all set up, how much work is involved putting up the displays, unpacking all of the work, not to mention the cash area and wrapping station.  Here are a few photos showing some of our potters setting up for the recent show.

Empty Bowls a huge success

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$10,130.00 – Can You Believe it!……

2015-empty-bowlsThat is the final tally from Empty Bowls 2015. $10,130.00 will now be going directly into our community to support food security. From our accounting, the sale of tickets and bowls brought in $4,000.00. The results speak for themselves and in terms of community engagement Empty Bowls 2015 year was a winner!

Kudos to the YWCA for having the vision to grow this event, and sincere thanks to the members of our Guild and the Wood Turners’ Guild who donated approximately 175 bowls. We would also like to thank Lillian, Cathy, Dawn, Anne, Lorne, Dawn’s mother, Shelby and Pete who staffed our booth and transported pots on the day itself.

Tuckers Event

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Our Saturday Clay Club had an outdoor excursion this past weekend.  A few of the members went to Tuckers Pottery in Richmond Hill to take part in the festivities and buy some supplies.  Cathy won a gift certificate for her throwing mastery (with a non-thrower).

Raku Weekend

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Thanks Lillian and George for a great day!  A group of our members got together for a Raku Firing at Lillian’s place.  A few first time people new to the art of Raku, but everyone had a great day and there are some lovely pots to show off now.

Meet Natalie

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Natalie Thornhill is one of our new instructors.  She has been teaching the Flex classes this summer, but I’m sure we will be seeing more of her in the fall.

Nat-and-Marley

natalie-teapotIn 2013 Natalie completed formal training through the Ceramics Certificate program at Haliburton School of Arts. Today, when Natalie is not working on her art, you may find her digging as an archaeologist and teaching at Fleming and Centennial Colleges in Ontario.

We welcome her to the guild.  To read more about her background, you can visit our Instructor page.

Take a look at one of her lovely teapots (right).

Kawartha Potters' Guild