NOT TO BE MISSED

Attendance in Person Recommended!

On Feb 21, bring your beverage of choice and settle into the studio for a wheel-side chat with Canadian Ceramics Icon, Scott Barnim. Scott can speak at length on any question related to ceramics while demonstrating how to make and fit a variety of lids with knobs. With experience in ceramics dating back to 1978, Scott is a fountain of knowledge about the history of clay in Ontario. This is your opportunity to be inspired! Meet Scott in our cozy studio setting in February.

The Barnim Pottery Studio showroom is located in an 1850’s stone house and stable in Dundas ON. and features a line of reduction-fired stoneware – dinnerware and decorative accessories – inspired by the natural beauty of the Dundas Valley. Since 2003 the studio has featured a limited production of reduced Islamic lusterware.

Scott Barnim established his studio in 1978 after part-time studies in Ceramics at Mohawk College and a full-time apprenticeship in the production studio of Donn Zver in Troy ON. from 1985 -86. He spent two years in Cardiff, Wales, UK, pursuing an MFA in Ceramics from the University of Wales.   

Believing in the apprenticeship system of education for Potters, Scott has imparted his knowledge to numerous apprentices, who have cycled through his studio and gone on to establish their own. Since 1980 he has taught workshops to guilds across Ontario, served as ceramic instructor at Dundas Valley School of Art and Mohawk College, part-time faculty at Sheridan College, School of Visual Arts and Design (1992 to 2002), taught at Haliburton School of the Arts, has been a visiting artist and lecturer at University of Wales Institute, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, York University, and also in PEI.

A pillar of the Ceramics community, Barnim has volunteered on the executive of the Potters Guild of Hamilton and Region from 1979-85, on the Ontario Crafts Council board in various capacities and as President in 1991-92, as an ad advisor to OCC, Harborfront, DVSA, and Hamilton Arts Awards before returning to the Hamilton Guild as President in 2014. He has served as a juror for Ontario Arts Council, Ontario Crafts Council, McMaster Museum of Art, Muskoka Arts and Crafts Exhibition, Mississauga Living Arts Center, FUSION and is a member of the Beyond the Valley Studio Tour.

A recipient of exhibition assistant grants from the OAC, Barnim’s award-winning work has been presented in over 140 exhibitions since 1978, including at the Carnegie Gallery, Burlington Arts Centre, Gardiner Museum and in Jindezhen China. His work is included in private and public collections, including the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Burlington, and can be found in select shops and galleries.

This event will be a hybrid programme, in-person at the AGB in the potters' studio and available live through zoom. (zoom link on Members Resources Page on this website)

Christie Gruppe is a Brantford based artist who has been working in clay for over 25 years. She makes colourful whimsical work, rooted in function, though sometimes not, that brings joy to people's faces. She teaches handbuilding and throwing to people of all ages through classes and workshops at Dundas Valley School of Art and the Brantford Pottersʼ Guild. Christie has exhibited her work at area craft shows, galleries and most often local Pottersʼ Guild sales for many years. After graduating from Sheridan College and Nova Scotia School of Art and Design in the 1990ʼs, Christie returned to the Hamilton area to set up a studio and has been involved in the clay community for over 20 years in various capacities. Christie currently serves as the Sales coordinator for the Hamilton Potters Guild and President of the Brantford Pottersʼ Guild. When Christie does get into her own studio she draws inspiration for her pottery from the garden, reflecting the vibrant and contrasting colours found in nature. She hopes her clay creations bring a smile to your face and a sense of fun and joy to your home!

Christie will be presenting a talk about her creative development as an artist, teacher and member of the clay community. She will be demonstrating the task of trimming and handle-making and will focus on how the role of creativity and play affects her making process. 

7pm in the Mezzanine above the pottery studio.

This event will be a hybrid programme, in-person at the AGB in the potters' studio and available live through zoom. (zoom link on Members Resources Page on this website)

Come out and meet the lively UNHA HILL, who will demonstrate her Korean  slip carving, decorating techniques in a mini workshop from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. You are invited to bring a trimmed, leather hard pot to experiment with Unha's techniques.

Born in South Korea, Unha Hill achieved a Master’s Degree in floral design in 1990 before immigrating to Canada in 1991. She owned and operated “Floral Creations by Unha” in Hamilton until 2003. Parallel to her interests in floral design, Unha attended pottery classes at the Canadian Japanese Cultural Center in Hamilton, studying with Harold Takayesu;  subsequently she became an instructor at the Center, 2006 to 2012. She has also served on the executive of the Hamilton Potters Guild as Treasurer.

Largely a self-taught potter, Unha’s curiosity about ceramics led her to enroll in workshops on raku, glaze and wood firing at various locations such as Mohawk College, Dundas Valley School of Art, and Fleming College in Haliburton.

A 2013 trip to Korea with a children’s choral group resulted in a serendipitous meeting with Korean master potters. Enthusiastic about sharing the knowledge in a cultural exchange, Unha has been organizing trips for Canadian potters’ to be mentored by Korean master potters in Seoul since 2015. 

Unha says:

"Nature’s many shapes, textures and colours inspire my ceramic art.  I work meticulously at creating forms that integrate the many textural elements of nature on the surface.  Like nature itself, my work is not static!  It is ever changing, full of surprises and unexpected serendipity. It’s a beautiful thing when a passion for beauty can be expressed and captured in a piece of art. This is my ultimate goal!"

7pm in the pottery studio.

This event will be a hybrid programme, in-person at the AGB in the potters' studio and available live through zoom. (zoom link on Members Resources Page on this website)

Our own Karla Rivera will present an artist's talk and demonstration of her technique.

About Karla

Karla Rivera is a ceramic artist born and raised in Mexico City who has made her home in Hamilton, ON. In 2021 she graduated with a Bachelor degree of Craft and Design in Ceramics from Sheridan College.

 Her work consists of functional and sculptural ceramics. Through  composition, using varying materials, her intention is to “build a bridge between beliefs, thoughts and experiences”. She is interested in working with forms that can serve more than one purpose.

Since graduation from Sheridan, Karla has maintained a rigorous exhibitions schedule:

Waterloo, ON            The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery (2022), VOICES

Dundas, ON              The Carnegie Gallery (2022), MEMORY AND REBIRTH

Toronto, ON              TOAF (2022)

Toronto, ON              The John B. Aird Gallery (2021)    SCULPTURE 2021             

(juried by Robert Birch)

Toronto, ON              The Gardiner Museum (2021)       AUDAX8

                                    (Graduate Exhibition for Sheridan College)

 She will also discuss her recent ceramics residency in the US

Her work can  be viewed at https://karlarivera.com/

This event will be a hybrid programme, in-person at the AGB in the potters' studio and available live through zoom. (zoom link on Members Resources Page on this website)

Come out to our summer send-off raku and potluck! Members who are new to raku but would like to try a piece or two - this is your opportunity!

The Raku: Here's how it works... Experienced members will start the raku kiln in the morning, and they will be firing the kiln throughout the day. Once the kiln reaches temperature, loads will be fired every 30-40 minutes. Last load will go in at 4 pm. If you wish to participate, please have your bisqued pot(s) glazed at least the day before, so the glaze has time to dry (wet pots sometime explode in the kiln). There is raku glaze you can use ($1 per dip) on the shelving unit in the studio by the kiln door. There is no fee to have your piece(s) rakued. We can't guarantee all pieces will be fired, but we will try to get as many done as we can. You are welcome to watch. If you wear the proper gear (no synthetics - just natural fibres, respirator, etc), you can participate with the bins.

The Potluck: starts around 6pm. Bring a dish to share. Also bring your own plate, cultery, beverage, cup. Remember there is a nut-free policy at the AGB.  The potluck always offers up excellent food - potters all seem to be able to cook! - and is a great way to meet or reconnect with other members in a relaxed atmosphere.

Glaze Materials Substitutions and Simple Color Testing

Based on the teachings of Robin Hopper, Susan Card will talk about different categories  of glaze ingredients.  Using a two material glaze recipe, she will show how to simplify colour testing to find the colour you need. You can cruise through lots of sample/examples that will be available to spark your own glaze testing.

 The March 21st meeting 7:00-9:00pm will be a hybrid programme, in-person at the AGB in the potters' studio and available live through zoom. (zoom link on Members Resources Page on this website)

Since the Spring shows are almost upon us, we will have an Open Forum for all interested members to discuss pricing pottery. It will start with a brief powerpoint about pricing to get the wheels turning. Monika Schaefer, Kai Eichenbaum and Susan Cardwill start off the discussion.

Members are invited to bring examples of pottery they are unsure of how to price to join in the discussion.

 The February 21st meeting 7:00-9:00pm will be a hybrid programme, in-person at the AGB in the potters' studio and available live through zoom. (zoom link on Members Resources Page on this website)

Our programme will feature a discussion and demonstration by Carolynn Bloomer .

Carolyn studied Fine Art and Ceramics at John Abbott College and Ontario College of Art

She’s taught workshops and classes (Ontario College of Art, Burlington Potters, Clay Design, Toronto Potters), and has done projects in secondary and elementary schools in the Toronto area.

Carolyn produces both utilitarian pottery and mixed media wall work.

Check out her work on her website: https://carolynnbloomer.com

 The January 17th meeting 7:00-9:00pm will be a hybrid programme, in-person at the AGB in the potters' studio and available live through zoom. (zoom link on Members Resources Page on this website)

Our programme will feature a discussion and demonstration of printing methods used on clay by artist Alexx Boisjoli, who operates a small design studio in Toronto.

An artist from a young age, Alexx graduated from OCAD in Toronto.

In his studio, called rcboisjoli, dynamic and modern wares are created by hand, using techniques for making everything from plaster models for ceramic objects to silk- screened decals to hand-printed textiles.

At the January meeting in the Burlington Pottery Studio, learn everything you wanted to know about printing on clay. Alexx will demonstrate printing techniques for ceramics using silkscreens, underglazes, jelly plates, plaster printing, and bisque transfer techniques. 

https://www.instagram.com/rcboisjoli/?hl=en

Come out to our end of the year send-off raku and potluck! Members who are new to raku but would like to try a piece or two - this is your opportunity!

The Raku: Here's how it works... Experienced members will start the raku kiln in the morning, and they will be firing the kiln throughout the day. Once the kiln reaches temperature, loads will be fired every 30-40 minutes. Last load will go in at 4 pm. If you wish to participate, please have your bisqued pot(s) glazed at least the day before, so the glaze has time to dry (wet pots sometime explode in the kiln). There is raku glaze you can use ($1 per dip) on the shelving unit in the studio to the left of the kiln door. There is no fee to have your piece(s) rakued. We can't guarantee all pieces will be fired, but we will try to get as many done as we can. You are welcome to watch. If you wear the proper gear (no synthetics - just natural fibres, respirator, etc), you can participate with the bins. The rake will end by 6pm (or sooner if we run out of pots to fire)

The Potluck: starts around 6pm. Bring a dish to share. Also bring your own plate, cultery, beverage, cup. Remember there is a nut-free policy at the AGB.  The potluck always offers up excellent food - potters all seem to be able to cook! - and is a great way to meet or reconnect with other members in a relaxed atmosphere.

AGM: we will spend about 5-10 minutes on business over the dinner hour, when we will vote in the executive for 2023.

Membership dues: Bring them along and pay at the meeting, receive you PSH discount card right away! $40 single, $50 family membership. Also pay for shelves and lockers for 2023 at the same time.

Silly Auction: Bring stuff to auction off. Pottery related goods are preferred (books, tools, etc), but we're not limited to just those. Please don't bring junk, though. This is a mini fund raiser for the guild each year, with proceeds going to things like replacement kiln shelves, raku glaze ingredients, etc. DO bring some $$ so you can go home with some treasures! Items will be auctioned off right after dinner. Never boring....!

The BPG has purchased new pottery forms for studio use and their use will be demonstrated by Monika Schaefer and Kai Eichenbaum this evening. This is an inperson event at the Pottery Studio. Please join us!

Those unable to attend may join us via Zoom to see the demonstrations. Members are invited to view this presentation for free. Zoom link is on the members resources page.

Join us via Zoom to see a presentation by TBA. Members are invited to view this presentation for free. Zoom link is on the members resources page.

Join us via Zoom to see a presentation by Loren Kaplan. Members are invited to view this presentation for free. Zoom link is on the members resources page.

Loren Kaplan is a ceramic artist living and working in Toronto, who has worked in clay from the early 90’s. Originally from South Africa, her interest is in vessel-making. Loren’s work includes unique pieces that are created by coiling and hand-building, sometimes combining wheel-thrown and hand-building techniques in porcelain.The surface of these vessels is often carved, sculpted or engraved with intricate patterns and symbols that combine the geometric and organic. 

Organic in process and form, the range and diversity of her work is compelling and integrated throughout with symbols and patterns. Kaplan holds a BA in Fine Arts, photography, studied ceramics at the Kim Sacks School of Ceramics in Johannesburg and has received numerous awards for her ceramic art. Her work is featured in the South African Constitutional Court Art Collection. Awards include Honorable Mention at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition in 2016.

Join us via Zoom to see a presentation by Teresa Dunlop. Members are invited to view this presentation for free. Zoom link is on the members resources page.

Teresa Dunlop is an Ontario based ceramic artist. For thirty-two years, she was an elementary school teacher. Watching her students creative exploration of material made Teresa want to be a maker as well as a facilitator.
Seizing this dream, Teresa went back to school and completed the Craft and Design Ceramics program at Sheridan College.
With this new diploma, she began a second career as a potter/ceramic artist!! For three years Teresa was an artist in residence in the Ceramic Studio at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
In 2017, she opened her own studio in Newmarket, Ontario where she creates finely crafted objects intended to enhance daily living. She also offers classes, and workshops.

See more of her work at: https://www.teresadunlop.ca/gallery

Join us via Zoom to see a presentation by Joon Hee Kim. Members are invited to view this presentation for free. Zoom link is on the members resources page.

Joon Hee Kim was trained as a graphic designer, and worked as an art director in South Korea. She also studied patisserie design to expand her creativity as a chef, before becoming intrigued with ceramics at Sheridan College. She completed a Masters in Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts in UK, before undertaking her professional practice in Europe and Japan. Her work has been exhibited in Canada, USA and UK, including a solo exhibition at the Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo, ON.

Jooh Hee Kim is the recipient of many awards including Craft Ontario Emerging Professional Award, Best of Craft and Design and Best of Ceramics at the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, as well as the 2020 Winifred Shantz Award for Ceramics. After receiving Canada Council and Ontario Arts Council grants to examine diverse identity and heritage, she attended several artist residencies including in Canada, Japan and Germany. She was also selected as an artist for the Canadian Creft Biennial in 2017 at the Art Gallery of Burlington.

Check out her work at: http://www.junniekim.com

Join us via ZOOM to our Annual General Meeting. Emailed ballots will have been tallied and the final executive will be voted on and announced.

Zoom coordinates on the members resources page

Speaker: Andrea Vuletin

Andrea Vuletin specializes in wheel- thrown and handbuilt porcelain, using inlaid decoration. Her designs are inspired by the flora and fauna of her garden in Chatham, Ontario, re-created using the Mishima technique.

A former Torontonian, Andrea is a graduate of OCAD University, where she studied graphic design and illustration. She was drawn to clay and subsequently studied ceramics at George Brown College in the 90’s. She enjoys creating a wide array of forms on the wheel or with slabs in her Chatham studio, and the challenge of fitting a design to a curved surface. Andrea’s work can be found across Ontario at the Gardiner Museum, The Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo and at the General Fine Craft, in Almonte.

Check out her work here: https://www.instagram.com/andreavuletin/?hl=en

Drop in and visit with fellow Guild members and have a social chat. Catch up with members you haven’t seen in a while, find out what’s new with everyone. If you’re new to the guild, this is a great way to get to know some of your fellow members.

bring your favourite bevy and snack and join us!

Link is on the Members’ Resources page.

All members welcome!

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

Are you a new member? We hold zoom meetings to discuss all thing BPG/Studio to help new members get a lay of the land.

Next meeting May 6, 7pm.

If you would like to attend, the link can be found on the members resources page of this website.

Everyone is welcome, even if you are not a new member.

We will show a video of the studio and discuss equipment available for use, kiln use and training, soup bowl, volunteer hours, library, lockers and shelves and MUCH MORE!

Join the BPG Tuesday Nov.16th 7-9 pm for a visual presentation and demo with Marissa Alexander.

Marissa Alexander is a Hamilton-based artist working primarily with clay. She holds a BA in Sociology from McMaster University and received her Advanced Diploma in Craft and Design (Ceramics) from Sheridan College. She was a full- time Artist-in-Residence at Harbour- front Center, and recently graduated from Alfred University, receiving her MFA in Ceramic Art. Making both functional and sculptural works, material and process are central to her ceramics practice and she aims to make things that engage her, other people and other objects. Marissa has work in the current AGB exhibition “How to read a Vessel.”

www.marissaya.com 

marissayalexander@gmail.com

Anne Chambers is a studio potter and ceramics instructor creating wheel thrown and altered functional porcelain in her studio near Perth, Ontario.

Anne’s first introduction to clay during the early 1960’s was Canada’s pioneer studio pottery family, Erica and Kjeld Deichmann. Inspired by them, Anne has now been working with clay for over three decades. Teaching at her popular summer retreats has helped many students bring their pottery skills to the next level.

Over the years Anne has participated in many Juried Exhibitions in Ontario including FUSION’s Fireworks Exhibition and the invitational Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art: 100 Years of Functional Ceramics. Her award-winning work has been recognized by the Ottawa Guild of Potters, including Best in Show and has been published in CLAY TIMES as well as FUSION MAGAZINE.

Anne has been actively involved in the craft community volunteering for both The Ottawa Guild of Potters and FUSION: the Ontario Clay and Glass Association, serving as President on both boards. She is the recipient of the Craft Ontario ‘John Mather Award’ in recognition of her contribution and support of craft in Ontario. In 2011, she was presented with the MERA Award for excellence in Fine Art and Fine Craft.

Anne will be giving a brief overview of her work before demonstrating the construction of a cruet set (similar to a small teapot) at the September 21 meeting of the Burlington Potters. The presentation will begin at 7:30 pm.

Her website is Anne https://www.annechambers.ca/

Find the zoom link on the Members’ Resources page of our website.

Aneela Dias-D’Sousa established herself as a ceramic artist after graduating from the University of Mumbai (B.F.A Ceramics) India. Since immigrating to Canada, she continued her education at Sheridan College as a mature student. Aneela currently lives and works in Pickering, Ontario and has pursued residencies at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre and the International Ceramics Centre in Kecskemet Hungary.

Aneela’s studio practice includes curated and juried exhibitions, craft sales and commissions. Aneela enjoys teaching and giving back to her community through volunteer positions, currently holding the position of Past President with Toronto Potters and recently invited to join the Canadian collective of ceramic artists, Make and Do. 

For the last 21 years Aneela has been engaged by the magic of clay and is awed by the constant discoveries of this material. The concepts for Aneela’s work are based on personal experience; these describe passing thoughts, transient phases and fleeting emotions using a minimalist style.

https://www.aneeladceramics.ca

Members can attend by following the link on the Members Resources page.

GUILD SOCIAL: Tune in half an hour earlier at 7pm and join in the informal chat with fellow guild members. Catch up with friends!

At 7:30, BPG member, Nikola Wojewoda will discuss her exhibition of works in clay and paper collage from Feb 23 to Sept 05 at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, in Waterloo, along with her journey in both mediums.

In Garden of the Gods, Nikola Wojewoda takes us on a botanical journey into the world of powerful hallucinogens. Her decorative plates pay tribute to the ancient use of these sacred plants. Their psychoactive properties transport the mind into altered states of consciousness, where transformative encounters with the Divine provide insights into the nature of reality and the self. Wojewoda’s interests lie in considering how these prehistoric experiences have shaped religious and philosophical thought, and the understanding of our complex human nature. Her paper collages are of gods, some virtuous and some not, that we may encounter in hallucinogenic trance.

Check out her Instagram page: Nikola Wojewoda

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 848 4154 6806 Passcode: 422553

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION

Are you a new member? We are now holding monthly zoom meetings to discuss all thing BPG/Studio to help new members get a lay of the land. Held the 1st Thursday of every month, at 7-9pm, via ZOOM.

Next meeting May 6, 7pm.

If you would like to attend, the link can be found on the members resources page of this website.

Everyone is welcome, even if you are not a new member.

We will show a video of the studio and discuss equipment available for use, kiln use and training, soup bowl, volunteer hours, library, lockers and shelves and MUCH MORE!