Charitable clay
Two mothers honour their daughters’ memories through pottery
Terrice Bassler believes a new pottery workshop at the Islaview Foundation in Deer Lake is a synchronicity that can only be explained as the work of a child who died three years ago, and another who died nearly two decades ago.
Bassler's friend, Sarah Short, formed the foundation two years ago with her husband, Mike Short, in memory of their daughter, Isla.
Isla died of cancer in 2017 when she was three and a half years old. Her parents wanted to help other families who had children with lifethreatening illnesses in the same way the Deer Lake community rallied around them.
The foundation's signature heart pins were created by Bassler, and over the years the foundation and the potter partnered on many fundraising initiatives. Bassler has created everything from earrings to mugs and bowls — usually with the foundation's signature hearts or rainbow motifs.
“The work of pottery in Isla's name grew right alongside the formation of the foundation,” explained Bassler.
The public now sees the pottery as part of the foundation's brand, but it was missing from its annual fundraiser a few weeks ago.
That's because Bassler moved to British Columbia in December, but before moving, she donated her pottery-making supplies to the foundation.
The Islaview Foundation now has everything it needs for a pottery studio — kiln, wheel, tools, shelving, stools, clay and glaze.
“I think my jaw dropped to the floor,” Sarah said, recalling the moment Bassler told her that she wanted to make the donation.
The Shorts plan to turn a section of the Islaview Studio at 6 Church St. in Deer — where the foundation is currently housed — into a pottery workshop.
Sarah hopes it will be something different for the community to enjoy. She envisions children's birthday parties making pottery, and girls' nights out, as well as joining the workshop with other wellness programs offered at the studio, such as yoga. All proceeds would go back into the foundation.
The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the opening of the workshop. Bassler had hoped to train a small group of locals on how to use the equipment, but she's stuck in British Columbia unable to fly to Newfoundland.
Now the foundation is hoping to partner with some west coast potters who can offer similar expertise. Meanwhile, Bassler is offering technical guidance virtually.
Sarah hopes the workshop will be open by this fall.
“I think Isla would be really excited because she loved anything when it came to art and making things, and drawing and painting,” said Sarah.
“She loved colours, and she just was very creative. And we always say, Terrice and I, that both of our girls are at it again because, of course, Terrice lost a daughter ... So, whenever these things happen, we always say, ‘Here goes Isla and Clea again — they're doing their work again.'”
Bassler's daughter, Clea, died before she turned a year old. She was born in October 2000 in Cape Town, South Africa, where Bassler was working in humanitarian development. She was born with a rare genetic disorder called Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, which compromised her immune system and made it difficult for her to eat.
“I did everything I could to give her the fullest life possible,” said Bassler on the phone with The Telegram from her new home on Vancouver Island.
“Her pediatrician came immediately when it was clear Clea was in trouble, but she already died at home before there could be any care. It changed my life. And I continued to do the humanitarian and the policy work and other things; I was just never the same.
“When you're a Mom, and you've lost a child, we just know that people who find the meaning in their child's life — even if it was as short as Isla's at about three years, and as short as Clea's at less than one year — if you find the meaning in that child's life, you will be OK.
“And not only will you be OK, but you have the courage and the fearlessness to do things you might never have done before. And so, that's what I see in Sarah and Mike.
“They were always amazing people, and Deer Lake was an amazing place, but Isla — who they call their superhero — has propelled and inspired them to do all of this.”
In a few short years, their foundation has already raised more than $130,000 and helped more than 40 families.
“The foundation is just so appreciative of all of what the community has done for the foundation that this is a way to kind of give back to the community, and offer something different in the community while still being able to help families — that's our goal,” said Sarah.
Potters interested in assisting the Islaview Pottery Workshop can email islaviewfoundation@gmail.com or visit islaviewfoundation.ca.