Twenty potters from the Ottawa area are preparing their wares for the fifth annual Westend Pottery Sale, which is fast approaching.
From April 11 to 12, ceramics of all shapes and sizes will be on display at the Churchill Seniors Centre, 345 Richmond Rd. in Westboro.
Jane Snider has been coordinator of the sale for the past three years and will also be showing her work. She says the Westend Pottery Sale is great for the community because it gives residents a chance to meet one another and potters a chance to share their creations.
“All of us are working in our own studios, like in basements or shops and studios, and a lot of time you don’t really know what your neighbours are doing, so it’s a nice way for people to actually see what we’re creating,” says Snider.
The potters will be present at the show, giving attendees a chance to pick their brains. Snider says many people are not only interested in an item but also in the creative process that brought it into existence.
All of the participants are from Ottawa and surrounding area, with three potters – Michele Macdonald from Loam Glaze Studio, Ginger McCoy from Hintonburg Pottery Shop and Snider from Jane Snider Pottery – currently living and working in Kitchissippi.
When it comes to pottery, Macdonald considers herself somewhat of an experimenter.
“I’m a bit of an explorer with my work. I tend to venture into all sorts of different [avenues]. My work tends to change quite a bit … I like to try different things,” she says.
Macdonald says she wanted to be a part of this year’s pottery sale because it’s interesting to see who shows up and it’s a lot of fun. [story continues below photo]
“I really like being able to talk to people about my work. It’s great to get feedback and just watch people move around your booth and you can actually see what interests people and what doesn’t,” says Macdonald. This is her second year taking part.
McCoy says there is a great energy at the sale. “It’s neat to come out and work with other potters in the local community and this particular show has a real warmth to it. There is something very gentle and enjoyable about the experience,” says McCoy. “The pace is just right. It’s quaint and yet there’s still a lot there.”
Snider considers herself more of a production potter, meaning that she creates works in sets and uses certain colours repeatedly. She says that she is a practical person and tends to make utilitarian things, although she admits that she also likes to experiment with new techniques.
For more information about the Westend Pottery Sale, go to ?westendpotterysale.com.