My first experience with clay was at a summer camp at the Nepean Visual Arts Centre (NVAC) in Ottawa. I was probably 9-10 years old and pottery was just one of many crafts we did. I guess I liked it enough to keep doing it, because I kept taking that camp until I was too old.

To be completely honest, I don’t have much recollection of this inbetween part, but I know that through the beginning of high school I took some pottery courses at the NVAC. I’m not entirely sure why, but eventually I abandoned pottery completely — more than likely due to the stress of school.

My Ceramic Renaissance: 2022

When I graduated from my McMaster University and moved back to Ottawa, I had one summer between my recently finished degree and my soon to be started degree. I used this time to spend with friends and catch up on old hobbies. One of these was pottery! Somewhat poetically, I ended up taking a beginners pottery class at the NVAC with the same exact teacher from my camp days. Her name is Meagan Pethick and she is a lovely human being. In this class, I remembered how much I truly love the process of ceramics and how it reflects the world around us.

Newfound Pottery Obsession: 2023-2024

Once I moved to London, Ontario for my Master’s, I decided to keep myself sane I would need some sort of hobby. Since pottery had worked so well the last few months, I stuck to that and enrolled for an advanced class at the London Clay Arts Centre (now known as Clayworx London). My instructor, Chris Snedden, is also a lovely human being and was the best teacher I could have had for that period in time. He was able to push my limits and allow me to break patterns that did not serve my pieces. At the end of the last two courses, Chris invited us to his house to do some raku firings, which were such a blast.

From Fall 2022 to Spring 2023, I took 3 courses with Chris and some other great people at Clayworx. They made it so fun and it felt nice to see some familiar faces every week. By the end of my last course, Chris proposed the idea that I pursue a studio membership at Clayworx so that I could really put in the time to practice and hone in on my skills. I became interested in the idea that I would have as much time as I needed each week, while operating on my own schedule, to come into the studio and practice.

Studio Practice: 2023-2024

That summer, I started my studio membership at Clayworx. This was the best honestly. So many awesome people there, from technicians (shoutout to Jenny) to studio members who were so kind and understanding. I learned so much from these people and feel forever indebted to the knowledge they gave me. I would go to the studio at least 2 times per week, if not more. The community-aspect of the studio might be what made it my favourite. Everyone was always looking to help and always felt approachable. Lots of failures and victories here, and my first ever market (pictured below). I also took a wheel bootcamp with Kerri Jerome and was able to really push myself to my limits at the time.

I really miss this studio, the people, and its flexibility — and most importantly, my favourite glaze from that studio—as pictured on the right side of the middle row—Maggy’s Blue :'(

Relocating to Ottawa: 2024-Present

When I moved back home after finishing my Master’s, I was eager to find a new studio that I could work out of. I was expecting Ottawa to have more options for studio practice, but was met with the sad reality that there were only a few studios that offered membership practice. Luckily, by November I was able to find a home at LOAM Clay Studio. For the past few months, I’ve been finding my footing at this new studio.

Ceramics is SO humbling especially when you’re trying new things and eventually fail. I think we learn the biggest life lessons from these moments, but it doesn’t make it feel any better in the process. It is so frustrating and discouraging and there are periods where I literally don’t want to go back to the studio because everything is just flopping so hard. But I still go back. Pottery can put me into a flow state, but just as easily anger me or bore me.

I guess it applies to all skills, but this feels the most relevant to me. Anyways, if you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading all this! If people are interested in this, I’d love to elaborate on my process for making, even reflecting on some pieces I’ve made, or even talking about the history of ceramics and other peoples’ work :)

love,

anvi