Invited Guest

Pam Birdsall

Pam Birdsall

Mahone Bay, NS

Artist Statement

In 1972, Lantz clay got under my fingernails, stained my clothes and changed my life. Using clay straight from the clay pit, with a little silica sand added to reduce the shrinkage, is like working with silk. It’s so plastic, that you can almost tie a knot with a coil of clay and it won’t break. This magnificent earthenware has taught me so much over the 47 years I’ve been using it. I understand its nuances and demands very well. Like all important relationships, I know how to prepare it, how far I can push its limits and when I’ve gone too far and it either cracks or explodes in the kiln. I have learned to dance the “Lantz Dance” and no other partner will do.

In the spring of 2025, Birdsall-Worthington Pottery will be stepping off the dance floor. It’s been an incredible career. Tim Worthington and I will have spent 48 years together in our studio exploring our own versions of slip decorating. I loved the intricate lines I could create, drawing with liquid clays and the precision required to do it. I’m proud that Tim and I were able to create a beautiful shop on Mahone Bay’s Main Street, that became a destination for so many people over the years. Creating many custom pieces such as my birth plates and our wedding, anniversary and graduation plates, has been the backbone of our business. These plates have become cherished family heirlooms for people all around the world. Clay has taught me so much and helped me grow as a person. I’ve learned patience, finding my limits, moving beyond them and finding the humour in kiln disasters. Being a potter has been my great joy and I don’t regret a minute of it.

October 2024

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia