Art helps local potter keep things in focus
Karina Bates originally started creating pottery in high school, but didn’t do it again for more than 20 years until a friend invited her over to use her studio.
“My friend then brought me to a meeting of the Kawartha Potters Guild where I met my future teacher and mentor, Darlene Malcolm-Moran,” says Bates. “That was 17 years ago and I’ve been potting ever since.”
Bates throws her creations on the wheel and enjoys making functional, modern and medieval reproduction work.
When asked why she likes to create pottery, Bates says, “Moving clay on a wheel is a very Zen experience. There have been a number of studies now suggesting that working with one’s hands and practising arts such as knitting, pottery, woodturning and other activities are good for the mind. Especially while doing woodturning and pottery, you really do need to be mindful of what you’re doing in the moment. You can’t focus on what you forgot because, on the wheel, you’ll likely lose what you’re working on. The creative aspect is in there, too.”
In addition to being a potter, Bates is the volunteer webmaster for the Kawartha Potters Guild, helps with the summer camp, and was the first administrator for the guild. She is also a talented musician, singer, knitter, and gardener and says she would also like to learn to weave one day. She graduated from Trent University and was part owner of an independent internet service provider as well as working in other business and retail ventures.
Bates grew up outside of Unionville, Ont., with a single mother who was an antique dealer, who was herself the daughter of an antique dealer and master cabinetmaker in Toronto.
“We lived in the country and I grew up working on the neighbouring farm for most of my childhood, which allowed me the privilege of working with their horses and dairy cows,” she says. “After living in Peterborough to attend Trent University, then working, my husband and I moved outside of town to the countryside. We grow as much of our own food as possible.”
Bates’ advice for budding potters is to “take as many courses from as many different potters as you can. Every teacher will show you something different or will do it in a different manner. Learn about the health and safety aspects of the craft you want to pursue. Give yourself time to get better — it does take practice.”
A fundraising campaign has started featuring the Ontario trillium, building on the guild’s previous Vimy Ridge tribute project. Functional, food-safe bowls and plates in the shapes of trilliums created by local potters are available for sale at $29 apiece.
They would be perfect gifts for housewarmings, hosts, showers, weddings, birthdays or other keepsakes. Sales of the trillium pottery raise money for the guild so that it can continue to offer classes to the public, encourage members’ skills, and to keep the pottery shop open.
To order, please contact administrator@kawarthapottersguild and be sure to include TRILLIUM in the subject line. Please indicate whether you wish a plate or a bowl (and how many).
The store sells a range of creations by members of the guild as well as those by members of the Artisans Centre. The range of items includes bowls, pitchers, platters, mugs, vases, teapots, plates, ornaments and more. It is open from Tuesday to Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. with three people in at a time (studio members and customers). Hours will be expanded as restrictions allow and visitors can call ahead to pre-book an appointment.
The guild is located at 993 Talwood Dr. For more information, please call 705-742-4979 or visit kawarthapottersguild.com.