… a bit about me:
came to ceramics as a second career. Having basically just graduated
from a bachelor degree that I had no interest in pursuing any further, I
was very hesitant to enroll in an academic ceramics program. So I
looked for training in practice, and was disappointed to find so little
in this regard in Canada.
So, I did go to school. First Fleming College, and then Sheridan. But I
also had the fortune of working for other potters (Thomas Aitken,
Gleason Brook Pottery). Without dismissing my ceramic college
experience, I think I learned just as much (if not more) by working at a
real pottery studio.
that my studio has been in operation for a few years, it is time for me
to think about growing a little , but also about giving back. I am
hoping that this apprenticeship experience will offer what I was looking
for when I was first getting started: an opportunity to see the real
workings of a functioning studio, that would provide a safe and
nourishing environment in which to continue learning.
In exchange for 32 hours a week of labour (May/August), I offer facilities, materials, room & board, and a stipend.
The apprentice
does not do any throwing for me. The idea behind the 32 hour week, is
that there is enough time left to make their own work, and hone their
making skills (whatever they may be) while focusing on developing and
clarifying their own voice.
I work in porcelain and fire a bourry box wood kiln regularly. This
means that a large portion of the studio tasks centre around wood prep
and kiln maintenance, and of course firing. Other studio tasks would
include preparing work for glaze firing (bisque firing, glazing,
wadding), mixing glazes, clay preparation, gallery up-keep, basic book
keeping, inventory tracking, social media management, etc.
The successful
applicant will be responsible, hardworking, fired up and hungry to learn
(with me) about wood firing, and running a small studio. They should
also be able and willing to do physically demanding work, and (learn how
to) use power tools.
