Potter adds a hint of whimsy to her work
This is another in a series of potter profiles on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Kawartha Potters Guild.
Carolyn Cisco says that she was introduced to the “wonderful world of clay” during a sixweek evening class at Western University. She loved the process as much as the final product. It was, and still is, her best stress reliever. She would go to exams with clay splatters on her clothing.
“Turning mud into a useful, (and hopefully beautiful) item is very rewarding,” says Cisco. “I enjoy the challenge of throwing large pieces as well as creating functional pieces that make its owner smile.”
Cisco imbues her work with a sense of whimsy by creating frogs and turtles that reside in the bottom of her mugs. Her yarn bowls have faces and her sea turtles swim up the sides of plates and bowls.
“I layer my glazes to create depth and interest, and the colours and images I choose are inspired by nature,” she says.
Cisco taught Phys. Ed, dance and family studies at Kenner Collegiate, and has now turned to pottery full-time.
“My energy now is spent throwing, teaching and selling from the Kawartha Potters Guild and my home studio,” she says.
She welcomes inquires at carolyncisco@gmail.com and you can follow her on Instagram @ciscopottery.
Cisco spends considerable time at Kawartha Potters Guild teaching and last summer helped with the summer camp.
“After COVID-19 hit, the guild
divided up its big, sunny space into separate, safe quadrants,” she says. “Wheel classes continue and hand building classes have been developed for adults or children with no previous clay experience. In the twohour class, each student has fun creating three different projects which are professionally
glazed for them. Individuals or groups (at discounted rates) can sign up at kawarthapottersguild.com.”
Cisco recommends anyone who is interested should sign up for a beginner class. Even if you, like her, can’t draw, she says that pottery is very teachable.
The guild’s Christmas (Winter) show is happening this year with a bit of a twist. It will take place from Dec. 11 to 23 with 18 potters and the gallery open for shoppers. Visitors will need to sign up online for a half-hour spot and up to six people will be allowed into the gallery at a time. You can sign up at: https:// kawarthapottersguild.com/ news-an d-ev en ts/k pgsales/2020-sale-appointmentform/.
The guild has just launched an online store, with gifts under $30, kitchenware and holiday items. The pottery shop at 993 Talwood Dr., is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., with two people at a time inside, or you can email ad mini st rat or@ka war th a potter s guild for an appointment. More information is available at kawarthapotters.com.
Toy Drive
The 61st annual Salvation Army Pure Country 105/Energy 99.7 Toy Drive is on now with some changes due to the pandemic. It’s a rolling event with two drop off locations: the upper level of Lansdowne Place, and the Salvation Army office at 219 Simcoe St.
Toys are needed immediately to ensure that every child in need receives a gift this Christmas. Volunteers will be collecting donations from these locations every few days. All toys will go into a three-day quarantine before being handled by volunteers or clients.
“We are asking every business and organization that has been a drop off location in the past, to please still support with an inhouse collection, or monetary donation this year,” says Vince Bierworth, promotions co-ordinator and announcer, Bell Media Radio.
Financial donations so that the Salvation Army can address age specific gaps in donations can be made by going to SalvationArmyPTBO.org.
For more information, contact Bierworth at 705-742-8844 ext. 4457 or Vince.Bierworth@bellmedia.ca.