Covid Update – February 4, 2021

February 5, 2021February 4, 2021 by Karina Bates

Due to the extended lockdown, the Guild has opted to delay the beginning of regular classes until the week of March 22nd. Please see our classes page for details or to register.

If we are allowed to open in February, we will be running wheel flex clay classes to tide folks over until the regular classes begin. These will be on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and evenings. Registration is via email to our Administrator with payment via e-transfer. Further details are also on our classes page (link above).

Please note that the suspension of regular classes does not apply to the Tuesday and Friday Intermediate/Advanced classes. These will begin the week we are allowed to open. If you haven’t registered for this and wish to do so, registration is available on our classes page. There are spaces available in the Tuesday evening and Friday afternoon classes.

We are also hoping to run our popular Summer Camp again this summer. Currently it is being planned with the same smaller ratios that we offered last summer to maintain distancing and safety for our campers and our staff. The weeks we will be offering are: July 5, 12, 19, August 9 & 16th. We plan to offer a Teen Week the week of August 3, which may include the wheel if we feel it is safe to do so. Registration and more details will be available on our camp page soon.

As a reminder, non-medical masks, or face coverings are required to be worn at all times while inside the Guild facility. Acceptable styles fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops, be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material (such as cotton or linen), best if a filter can be added, and be large enough to completely cover the nose and mouth without gaping. Masks with any type of valve are not acceptable.

Classes, Workshops & Covid

January 26, 2021 by Karina Bates

The January lockdown has pushed our class starting dates back yet again and further post-poned any in house workshops. If there is a workshop that interests you, please contact our Administrator, Donna with any suggestions you may have and we will work on bringing these to you as soon as we are able. With regards to our classes, please keep our main or classes page bookmarked. We will update with further details as soon as we know more.

2020 Year End Thank You

December 30, 2020 by Karina Bates

2020 has been a year like no other.

THANK YOU to each and every one of our customers, members and friends.

Your continued support throughout this most difficult year means the world to us.

Covid Update – December 23, 2020

December 24, 2020 by Karina Bates

To All Guild Members, Studio Members, Teachers, Students & Customers:

We are again in the unfortunate position of having to close our Guild and Pottery Shop and postpone all classes (including private) until after January 23rd at the earliest. We are following our Public Health and Provincial Government recommendations and requirements, for a Provincial lock down to be in effect from Dec 26th to January 23 (for Southern Ontario). We will update our website as new information / dates are made available and ask you to keep checking in on the website.

Please refrain from coming into the Guild for any reason during this time – it is not open for drop off / pick up / studio use etc..

On the bright side, we can offer curbside pick up for Pottery Shop items, clay, online store, etc.. Simply send me an email outlining what you want and I’ll reply with cost (e-transfers will be all methods of payment) and times available for parking lot pick up. This email address will continue to be checked by me, so don’t hesitate to email any questions, concerns, etc..

I would like to extend my wishes to you and your Family for a safe and happy Christmas, whatever it is going to look like this year.

Please stay safe and well.

Donna O’Brien

2020 Holiday Sale Profile – Maureen Reed

December 19, 2020 by Karina Bates

a variety of mugs in blue, yellow and grey - Maureen Reed

Maureen began working in pottery for about fifteen years after taking some courses offered at her local visual arts center. She enjoyed both the medium and the company of other potters. Over time, she realized that pottery was stress reducing and offered opportunities for creativity. Maureen now has her own small home-based studio. She prefers wheel work to create functional pots (bowls, plates and mugs). Maureen has taken courses in pottery at the Haliburton School of the Arts and has taken advantage of the great workshops and courses offered by the Kawartha Potters’ Guild.

Our sale continues through Wednesday, December 23rd. Feel free to drop-in or make an appointment using this convenient form. Our hours are Sunday – Wednesday 11 – 5 p.m.

2020 Holiday Sale Profile – Heather Brooks

December 19, 2020 by Karina Bates

Two stemless green goblets and a matching leaf stamped rectangular hand built tray - Heather Brooks

Heather has been working in clay for over 15 years. She loves to create functional pieces that can be enjoyed every day. Shifting between the wheel and hand building, it allows Heather to keep in tune with the clay while creating a diverse collection of plates, bowls, mugs, casserole dishes and trays. She is so very flattered when someone wants to add her pottery to their home. In her opinion, this is the highest honour a potter can achieve.

Our sale continues through until 5pm on December 23rd. You can still book a half hour appointment here, or drop-in during sale hours. Our space is restricted to six visitors at a time. We are open Saturday 10 -5, Sunday – Wednesday 11-5p.m.

2020 Holiday Sale Profile – Ann Hobday

December 18, 2020 by Karina Bates

rectangular tray with carved and painted bicycle - Ann Hobday

Ann has been experimenting in clay and taught ceramics as part of Visual Arts in secondary school for two decades. Since retirement she switched to hand-building in stoneware. Being outdoors keeps her grounded and in tune with earth’s rhythms. Ann looks for ways to incorporate nature themes and cycling motifs in functional slab plates, mugs, bowls, seasonal ornaments and jewellery. Recently, she has begun teaching hand-building techniques to adults and children at the Kawartha Potters Guild. Great fun! “Ceramics and teaching is keeping me excited about life”.

Our sale continues through until the close of day December 23rd. You can book an appointment using this form for your convenience, or take a chance and drop by. We are open Friday 11 – 8, Saturday 10 – 5, Sunday – Wednesday 11-5.

2020 Holiday Sale Profile – Darlene Malcolm-Moran

December 18, 2020 by Karina Bates

Agateware jar in red, white and black clays - Darlene Malcolm-Moran

Since graduating from Sheridan College School of Design in 1976, Darlene has pursued many aspects of Ceramics and enjoys sharing this knowledge instructing the Intermediate/ Advanced classes at the Kawartha Potters Guild.

She creates beautiful, finely crafted, functional pottery with textured and marbled surfaces. Darlene likes to use many colours of stoneware, combining them with her bright clay slips and food safe glazes.

Our sale runs until December 23, 2020. Drop-ins are welcome, however attendance in any one time slot is limited to six visitors. You can book a half hour appointment for your convenience by using this form. We are open Friday 11-8, Saturday 10-5, and Sunday – Wednesday 11-5.

Lidded jar with exterior decorative cracking glazed in a pearlescent red - Darlene Malcolm-Moran

Large jar with unusual shape and lid, decorative exterior cracking of the clay and a translucent grey glaze - Darlene Malcolm-Moran

Darlene Malcolm-Moran at work in her studio

2020 Holiday Sale Profile – Priya Harding

December 17, 2020 by Karina Bates

porcelain mugs hand painted with white pine trees in cobalt blue - Priya Harding

Priya first met clay in the late 1970s, and has loved it ever since. Many years and workshops later, she still practices, failes, experiments, and explores. The flow of throwing, and then the creative work of painting and incising designs remain her passions. The designs of bright poppies, sunny lemons, and fish among water weeds that Priya is playing with now originated in efforts to bring more colour to her pieces during FUSION’s 2016-17 Creative Directions programme. Since then a KPG group trip to Korea in 2018 and memories of places like Portugal, southern France, and the northern shores of Lake Superior have all influenced her work. Priya’s love for clay continues, as does her intent to create pottery that is both functional and a pleasure for the senses.

Come see Priya’s and other members’ work during our sale, on now every day until December 23rd. Please book an appointment here. Drop-ins are welcome but our space is limited and we may ask that you wait or reschedule.

Online Store Update

December 17, 2020 by Karina Bates

We’ve added quite a number of new items to our online store and will continue to do so right up until the Holidays. Please note that the Guild itself will be closed from December 24 – January 3, 2020 so you may experience a delay being able to pick up or have your piece delivered or shipped. If you have any questions, please contact our Administrator Donna.