Baltimore potters explore the various possibilities in clay
Both members of the Kawartha Potters Guild, Carole Bandurchin started creating pottery in 1979, while her husband John became fully involved in 2001. They work from their home in Baltimore, just north of Cobourg.
“I became hooked on ceramics while teaching elementary school,” says Carole. “There was a bag of clay in the art supply cupboard and I knew immediately that I wanted to explore its possibilities.”
Carole says that after she and John started their family, she left teaching and expanded her skills and knowledge through practice and workshops given by other potters as their children were growing up. When she became busier, John began helping her with shows, being the studio mechanic, electrician, plumber and more. After retiring from his career as a professional accountant, John found himself wanting to become directly involved in the creative process and he also now works full time in clay.
“We make pieces for use around the house, with attention to good design and craftsmanship. Our pieces are wheelthrown, slab-built or extruded, often using a combination of methods,” says John. “They are glazed with three or more blazes and fired in electric kilns. Our inspiration for designs comes from many things — the shapes of things we see, things in nature, and our own imagination.”
The Bandurchins take part in the Kawartha Potters Guild’s two annual sales, as well as displaying their work in the gallery there. In the past, they have participated in fine art and craft festivals in Toronto, Brighton, Guelph, Ottawa, Haliburton and elsewhere.
At this time, you can order items from the guild’s online store for pickup at 993 Talwood Dr. by appointment. For more information, please email administrator@kawarthpottersguild. More information is available at kawarthapotters.com.
Holiday Sale
The Kawartha Potters Guild had their best-ever sale in terms of participants versus total sales, according to Lillian Forester, chair of the sale planning committee.
“Despite the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, people still wanted to shop local for local artisan creations and as a result, the guild had the best sale ever,” says Forester. “We at the guild thank the public for all of their support.”
Forester says that with so many events cancelled, the common thread they heard from attendees throughout the 12 days of the sale was “thank you for going ahead with your sale.”
“All in all, we had about the same number of people attend as in previous years — around 400 people,” she continues. “Many called in for reservations, but as the sale progressed, we had mostly walk-ins, with many of our usual customers, but also a number of new people who dropped by.”
The main comments they heard from the public were about the way the guild organized a safe shopping environment with only six customers in the gallery at one time. And also, according to Forester, they heard many compliments that they took the initiative to actually proceed with a sale while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.
“Most people were just delighted to visit, sanitize, answer the three COVID questions and spend time browsing leisurely without a crowd around them,” she says.
Due to the provincewide lockdown, the guild and pottery shop are currently closed, with all classes postponed until after Jan. 23.
However, people can order items from their online shop for curbside pickup, with etransfers accepted for payment and times assigned for parking lot pick up. More updates and information are available at kawarthapottersguild.com.