Kawartha Potters Guild marking quarter-century milestone
This year, the Kawartha Potters Guild is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
In the mid-1990s, a small group of potters met once a month at one of their homes to connect with fellow artists and share ideas. Since then, the guild has grown and moved meeting locations numerous times.
In 2012, an opportunity arose to set up a permanent facility where potters could teach, work and sell their pottery at 993 Talwood Dr., in the city’s former recreation centre, and the guild had finally found its home.
Margrit Beesley was one of the founding members. She was born and educated in Switzerland where she graduated with a degree in social work. She went on to become an occupational therapist specializing in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy.
Immigrating to Canada in 1969, she worked for 20 years at a children’s rehabilitation centre in Toronto. She married a Canadian and together they were involved in many hobbies.
Beesley started making pottery after her retirement. At Cider Ridge Creative Art Centre in Scarborough, she took classes in woodcarving, folk art painting and pottery. Her teacher suggested that she should take a three-year pottery course at Sheridan College in Oakville. After finishing that course, she moved to Ennismore and opened her own studio as she loved creating objects out of clay.
“Around 1993 I saw a notice in the newspaper that some potters would like to get together,” Beesley said. “I was interested in meeting others who shared my passion for pottery and together we discussed forming a guild. Our longer-term goal was to find a permanent place in which to meet and work.”
Beesley helped out newer members when they had a problem and would often invite them out to her home to demonstrate techniques or how to fire a kiln. She often fired others’ pieces in her own kiln. Later she gave demonstrations and workshops at the guild.
“With pottery, I like the feeling of the clay and also, while being creative, my pieces can be functional as well to bring joy to people,” she said.
“Pottery is a complex craft — you have to learn not only how to work on the wheel, but also to learn about glazing and the process of firing a piece. There is nothing more rewarding than opening a kiln and seeing your new creation.”
Initially she made large bowls on the wheel, decorating them in the majolica technique of painting coloured flower motifs in glazes on top of a white glaze. This technique was very popular at the time, but fashion and tastes changed. She then became interested in making sculptures, so she attended a summer class to learn that technique.
“There are many opportunities for beginning pottery students to learn and improve their craft,” she said.
“Normally, our guild offers many classes, as does the Peterborough Art School and Fleming College’s Haliburton School of Art + Design. Another way for pottery students to learn more is to order instructional DVDs from the Ceramic Arts Network which features the works of several artists. That’s where I learned hand-building techniques.”
Beesley remains active in the guild and, pre-pandemic, worked with the clay club on Saturday mornings. She lives in a local retirement home where she helps other residents make jewelry.
During regular times, the group hosts pottery sales twice a year, holds classes for adults and children and operates a retail store. Until activities resume, gift certificates are available by emailing Administrator@Kawarthapottersguild.com.