Throwing demo with Sharon Fiske

As part of our trial mentorship program we were fortunate to spend an afternoon with our throwing mentor, Sharon Fiske hosted by Darren Rowles at Cymraeg Ceramics studio. As Sharon chatted and threw a variety of forms, our group learned from and laughed with one of Nova Scotia’s most accomplished potters.

If you haven’t had the good fortune to meet Sharon Fiske, here’s a bit more about her.

Sharon has been with the Nova Scotia Potters Guild since its formation in 1991, but her love of clay began when she was in grade 7 and her mother bought her a wheel for $5!

Sharon’s art education began at Acadia University, moved along to the Hand Craft Training Centre in PEI, then on to Holland College School of Visual Arts and finally onto Gospell St Pottery, Rye, England where she trained to be a production potter.

From Sharon:

“I started The Little Potter Studio in 1980 and changed the name in 1983 to Clayworks Pottery. My goal was to be a Production Potter so I could make a living but have all the infrastructure ready when I wanted to do any particular art pieces or personal works.   

I loved being my own boss!

I could have up to 10 or less, people hired at any given time. Potter‘s, decorators, and store staff.

Many students were hired from NSCAD and went on to set up studio’s of their own.

I loved my life!

And we all learned from each other.

Never stop learning.”