NOVA SCOTIA POTTERS GUILD HISTORY • 1991—PRESENT

The Nova Scotia Potters Guild has been a vibrant and valued part of our provincial arts community since 1991. The Guild was formed by an enthusiastic group of potters who wanted to learn and teach and enjoy one another’s company. We are all about education and support for anyone in the province working in clay. The Guild supports work from production to one-of-a-kind; covers topics from artistic and technical support to business operation; and opens the channels for sharing information. Our members, now 95 in number, cover a wide range of profiles from internationally recognized ceramic artists to those who are just beginning to work with clay. We share our news and skills through meetings, workshops and our newsletter, The Dish.

PROJECTS

Throughout our history, we have initiated exhibitions throughout the province in all categories – open, juried and curated. They have been presented in public, private and commercial galleries, including the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and our public gallery for craft, the Mary E. Black Gallery. Shaping Space, a celebration of Lantz Clay was presented in 2009 at the Mary E. Black Gallery and a catalogue was produced to document the project. The Guild Show - Work by the NS Potters Guild was displayed at the Craig Gallery in Dartmouth in 2005. Lieutenant-Governor Myra Freeman hosted the Guild’s Crowning Achievements exhibit at Government House in 2004–2005. In 1996, The Year of Earth and Fire, the Guild organized numerous displays, sales, public hands-on workshops and clay related events in collaboration with business, government and other organizations. Exhibitions included: From the Ground Up (opened at Mary E. Black Gallery and travelled around the Province); Metre2: The Art of Tile (Dartmouth Heritage Museum); An Invitation to Dinner – Contemporary Nova Scotia Dinnerware (Dartmouth Heritage Museum); and Potters of Our Past (Art Gallery of Nova Scotia). Ceramics Monthly Magazine covered these shows at the Dartmouth Heritage Museum.

WORKSHOPS

Excellent workshops have been presented by Guild members who have generously shared their expertise. The Guild has also worked with the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University’s Ceramics Department to bring nationally and internationally known ceramists to Halifax. Our workshops have dealt with raku, gas, wood and smoke firings, mould making, big pots, photographing techniques and health concerns. Some of the well recognized artists who have instructed the Guild are: Les Manning, Jim Robison, Robin Hopper, Cathi Jefferson, Randy Brodnax and Joan Bruneau.

LOOKING FORWARD

The Guild continues to encourage the creation of fine ceramic work, to build awareness among the public of the value of this work, and to offer clay artists resources to strengthen their art form and to grow as artists.

The Executive Council 

The elected leaders of the Nova Scotia Potters Guild

Sheri White - President

I am excited to be working with such a wonderful board and I look forward to helping our guild continue to thrive as we have for the last 30 years.

Email: sheri@urnsongpottery.com

Carol Morrow - Treasurer

As Treasurer, I keep track of the Guild’s funds, and make payments as required. I prepare year-end financial statements to present to the membership at the Annual General Meeting.

As acting Secretary, I am responsible for various administrative functions, most importantly producing minutes and keeping track of Guild records.

Address: Box 731, Lunenburg, NS B0J 2C0 Email: nspgtreasurer@gmail.com Phone:  902-634-3977

Susan Guppy - Secretary

I felt I should become involved in the Guild, having used the group ordering system so often. I am retired, so I have some time available.

Email: susan.guppy@dal.ca

France Arruda - Membership Coordinator

Bringing together potters and paperwork, processing memberships, and ensuring your confidentially.

Email: membership.nspg@gmail.com

Kirsten Nichols - NSCAD representative

I was asked to serve as the NSCAD representative as I am studying here.  My hope is to keep the Guild informed about what is happening, as best I can, at NSCAD and let folks at NSCAD know more about the Guild and our ongoing projects.

Email: Kirstennichols@nscad.ca  Dartmouth, NS

Madeline Tweel - Social Media Coordinator

I'm excited to be the NSPG social media coordinator and engage with a wonder group of creators. I’m looking forward to highlighting members and their work on social media platforms.

Email: mtt.pottery@gmail.com Social Media: @mttpottery

Natalie Burns - supply coordinator

I’m delighted to be a member of the NSPG board and being the Supply Coordinator. As the Supply Coordinator it is my responsibility to ensure our group orders run smoothly.

Email: nataliecburns@hotmail.com

Our Mentors

Carol Smeraldo - Mentor

Email: smeraldocarol@gmail.com

Phone: 902-434-1336

Judy Gordon - Mentor/Past President

As Past President of the Guild, I work with the Board to assist our members in any way I can to further the clay arts in Nova Scotia.

As clay artists, we work mostly in isolation, and we benefit from connection with each other through our love of clay. Community building through workshops, firings, shows, food or just having an opportunity to talk pots and share our passion for clay.

I’m happy to share any knowledge I may have acquired over my 20 plus years working in clay.

Email: turnaroundpottery@gmail.com Cell: 902-430-8661

Sharon Fiske - Mentor/Past President

My passion in life was to become a self-employed production potter. This would allow me to have the equipment and materials I would need to make ART on the side! This is how I began, in 1980.

During my affiliation in the guild for the past 30 years I have talked with a vast amount of members about a myriad of ideas and topics. The lines for communication are always open.  Call, text, email about any questions or problems or ideas you may have. 

“We are all about the clay community.”  

Enthusiasm, knowledge and I still have the PASSION ! 

Email: sharonfiske@gmail.com Phone: 902-471-8429

Gerri Frager - mentor

"I serve as a community-based representative, a potter, a person with some skills and more opinions which I’m happy to offer to the collective, inclusive of brainstorming strategies"

Email: gernwp@gmail.com Phone: 902-802-1062