The Dish, 2025
Message from the Presedent
Reflecting on My First Year and Looking Toward the Future
Dear Members of the Nova Scotia Potters Guild. As I reflect on my first year as President of this incredible guild, I am filled with gratitude for the trust you placed in me when I stepped into this role in April 2024. Over the past 8 months, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside passionate artists, makers, and advocates who breathe life into our craft and contribute to the thriving ceramics community in Nova Scotia.
This past year, we celebrated a truly unique event with our Triumphs in Clay Exhibition that showcased the extraordinary talent within our guild that brought us closer as a community; the energy and creativity you’ve shared have been truly inspiring. I’m particularly proud of the strides we’ve made in supporting emerging potters and expanding our public outreach initiatives through this show.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the dedication of the TIC committee and tireless efforts of our board. To each of you who contributed your time, expertise, and ideas, thank you. Your commitment to this guild is what makes it so special.
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, there is much to be excited about. Plans are already in-place or underway for some of this years events, including new opportunities for professional development, collaborations with local artists and art organizations and an exciting new mentorship program to support those just beginning their journey with clay. We also aim to expand our digital presence, providing more ways for members to connect, learn, and share their work with a wider audience.
Looking further into the future, I envision the Nova Scotia Potters Guild as a leader in the Canadian ceramics community—a guild that not only nurtures its members but also inspires the broader public to appreciate and engage with pottery as both an art form and a tradition deeply rooted in our culture.
Thank you for your ongoing support, creativity, and enthusiasm. I am honored to serve as your President, and I look forward to continuing this journey together as we shape the next chapter of our guild’s history.
Enjoy life in clay
Darren Rowles
President, Nova Scotia Potters Guild
Its time to renew your membership!
With new social events and workshops coming up in 2025, this is your reminder that it’s time to renew your membership. You can also take advantage of the Guild’s “Member’s Profile” pages by emailing in a picture of yourself, some recent pictures of your pottery, and (if you have one) your website address. Keep in mind, this is a great resource to help people discover you and to improve your own website’s SEO in search engines.
Introducing The First 3 Regional Representatives,
and their Ceramic Socials Events
The regional representatives will be the Guild’s “point of contact” in that area of Nova Scotia. Feel free to reach out to them about venues or studios that the Guild can use for workshops. Let them know if you would like to host a workshop or Ceramic Socials event with the Guild. Send them a message and ask how you can become more connected with other potters in your community! If you would like to become a Regional Representative please reach out to Amy at amyderrah@gmail.com
Ceramic Socials:
The Guild is happy to present regional events for you to attend and become more connected with other pottery lovers in your area! We have changed the name from “Mud Mixers”, mentioned in a 2024 newsletter, to Ceramic Socials. These are casual events that are for Guild members to get out and socialize, find support, and build their pottery community.
Morgan Sheppard, Halifax area
Morgan is the mastermind of Wave Ceramics Studio and has stepped up to be the regional representative for the Halifax area. If you are in the Halifax area and are looking to connect with potters or want to get involved with events, reach out to Morgan!
Ceramic Socials event:
Pot Swap & 2025 Goal Setting, Feb.15th
Bring a mug (or any pot) you created to swap at this fun social event! Enjoy some hot coffee/tea with other potters in the new pottery store, Best Kind Mud Shop. This supportive group of potters will help discuss what your 2025 pottery goals could be and brainstorm ideas on how to achieve them.
Details: At Best Kind Mud Store, 945 Cole Harbour Road, Dartmouth. On Saturday, February 15th, 10-11am. Free for NSPG members, a registration fee of $25 for non-members (that includes a NSPG membership). Currently sold out, but we are working on creating a few extra spots, email Morgan to be placed on a waitlist at waveceramicsns@gmail.com
Janet Doble, Parrsboro & area
Janet, a previous president of the NSPG, has stepped up to be a regional representative in the Parrsboro area. She has a great wealth of knowledge of pottery, teaches clay workshops, and is a member of Parrsboro Creative (an art society in Parrsboro). So reach out to her to learn about what’s happening in the greater Parrsboro area and how you can get connected! Connect with Janet via her email: janetdoble64@gmail.com
Ceramic Socials: Artist Talk and Potluck, March 30th
“Wild clay and restaurant pottery”
Sarah, owner of the Wild Carraway Restaurant, will be giving an artist talk about harvesting wild clay, making pottery for her restaurant, and running the Wild Carraway. The event will be on Sunday, March 30th, from 11am to 3pm, with a potluck lunch at 1pm. Bring a dish to eat from and enjoy a lunch time social, discussing your pot with the other attendees. Price is to be determined and more details will come in another email with the location in Parrsboro, so mark your calendars!
Monica DeCampo, Digby & area
Monica has been a member of the Guild for 5 years now and has a proficient 50 year career as a potter all over Canada. She currently sells at local markets and teaches a variety of classes in her well equipped studio, Monicats Studio, in Digby.
“I discovered there is a healthy demand for creative clay classes in the area and several new potters with the desire to set up hobby studios. This put me in the favorable position to represent the Guild and steer them in the right direction to source materials and meet other potters.” ~ Monica
Reach out to Monica if you’d like more information about connecting with potters in the Digby area, or if you want to host an event at your studio. Email her at: pierodecampo@yahoo.com or visit her website: Monicats Studio
Creamic Socials: A Day in the Studio With Monica DeCampo,
Saturday, May 24th
Come join Monica at Monicats Studio, in Digby, and spend time discussing how to set up a home studio. Pick her brain about tips and tricks, what to avoid when setting up your studio, and how to source clay/materials all the way out in rural Nova Scotia. Meet other pottery enthusiasts in your area and become inspired to begin making clay in your own home! Free for NSPG members, or a $25 fee (and membership) for non-members. More details to follow a month before the event with time and registration information, so mark your calendars and get ready to register.
Mentorship Program
The Guild is excited to announce a trial mentorship program for 2025-2026! This program will involve 4-6 mentors and mentees, who are willing to test out being a mentor (and mentored) with the guild . We know there is a great amount of talented potters with the heart of a teacher, and who are at a phase in their lives where they are ready to give back and guide someone else in their pottery journey. Likewise, we know there are a lot of newer potters out there who are looking to grow their skill and career in a more serious way and who would love some guidance. Stay tuned for a more detailed email about this program, and consider if you are one of those potential mentors (and mentees) who could sign up to help us test and develop this program. In the follow-up email with more information, there will be a call to apply for the trial program with a form to fill out and email in.
THANK YOU CAROL!
Carol will be stepping down as Treasurer at this year’s AGM, and we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks for her many years of dedicated service to the Guild. She has truly been a treasure to us all, skillfully managing our finances and keeping everything organized behind the scenes.
Serving on the Board is more than just a role—it’s about becoming part of a close-knit Pottery family. Carol has exemplified that spirit, and we are so grateful for the friendship and commitment she has shared with us. We wish her nothing but the best in health, happiness, and all her future endeavors. Thank you, Carol!
Could this be you?
The Nova Scotia Potters Guild is seeking a dedicated and organized individual to step into the role of Treasurer. This vital position involves managing the Guild's finances, overseeing budgets, and helping to ensure our continued growth and success. As Treasurer, you’ll be at the heart of our operations, working alongside a passionate and supportive Board while contributing to the sustainability of our ceramics community.
This is a wonderful opportunity to bring your financial skills to a creative and collaborative environment. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or simply eager to get involved and learn, we’d love to hear from you! If you have a love for pottery and an interest in supporting the Guild’s mission, please reach out to Darren for more information. Join us in shaping the future of the Nova Scotia Potters Guild
Could this be you?
The Nova Scotia Potters Guild is seeking a passionate and organized Events Coordinator to help bring our vision to life. This role involves planning and executing a variety of events, from exhibitions and workshops to community outreach programs. As the Events Coordinator, you’ll play a vital role in celebrating the art of pottery, fostering connections within our community, and ensuring every event is a memorable experience for participants and attendees alike.
We’re looking for someone with excellent organizational skills, a creative spark, and a love for the arts. Experience in event planning and strong communication abilities are key. This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with artists, support local craftsmanship, and be part of a thriving artistic community. Join us in shaping events that inspire and connect people through the art of ceramics!
A Triumphant Tribute to the Triumphs Show!
Many thanks to our group of volunteers who worked so hard to make this show a reality! Many congratulations to the artists who won the awards! We had 3 of the invited artists select their favorite from the exhibiting artists for “Best in Show” awards. The winners were Susan Davar, Kirsten Nichols, and Kate Grey. We also had the public vote on their favorite piece (including both invited artists and the exhibiting artists) and Toni Losey won the People’s Choice award. If you missed seeing the show in person, all the pictures are online (click the button below), and you can also see many videos of the show on our Instagram/Facebook page.
First Clay Group Order:
March 10th - Tuckers Pottery. More details to follow as well as a full schedule of group orders in an additional email.
An Exciting New Pottery Store is in Dartmouth
Best Kind Mud Shop opened it’s doors in December and has begun to supply the area with clay, tools, & glazes, as well as studio space! We’re very hopeful that Nova Scotia will finally have a ceramic supply store to rely on. As a Pottery Guild, we would like to encourage you to support Lisa and her store. Go check it out at: https://bestkindmudshop.com/
Annual General Meeting
The annual general meeting has always been a great time to reconnect with the Guild and other potters. We bring food! Come hear about the plans we have for the upcoming year and contribute your own ideas and requests.
You are invited to join us for the Guild’s AGM in April. More details to follow soon.