Nicole Anderson
Nicole starting taking pottery classes at the Surrey Art Centre in 1996 where she learned the basics of throwing, hand building and glazing. Over the years her technique and understanding of the process has developed into a style that is both functional and beautiful. Nicole’s focus is on bowls, bakers, mugs and platters and likes simple glazes that enhance the look and style of each piece. Joining the Semiahmoo Potters in 2007, Nicole enjoys being a part of a group of like minded potters who share their knowledge and experience to help each other grow. Pottery is a hobby that she enjoys between work and family life and finds the process both relaxing and challenging.
email: nicoleandersonpottery@gmail.com
instragram: nicoleandersonpottery
Mary Ellis
Wheel Thrown and Hand Built Ceramics
2 year credit courses in Ceramics at Douglas College in the 70s, as well as a small studio in my home until the early 80s.
Classes at The Art School of Peterborough from Richard Hayman, the founder.
In 2009, joined the Semiahmoo Potter's Club in Surrey where I have enjoyed the offerings of a studio, educational and motivating workshops and the support and friendship of fellow potters.
John Elton
I started working with clay at the West Vancouver Rec centre in about 1987 when I decided I needed a hobby. (Yes I am old!) I am flattered, being listed under the category of ‘artist’ as I’m really not, but I do enjoy creating functional pieces that are nice to look at feel good in your hands and make a good house warming gift. I refer to my pottery as “Perfectly imperfect… just like you and me!” (I was in the advertising business for 50 years.) When I retired and moved to South Surrey I was delighted to join the Semiahmoo Potters where I found a wonderful community and studio. It’s a nice creative hobby with a fun group of people.
Febe Galvez-Voth
Simple, clean lines, these are words that describe my work. Come to think of it, they describe more than my pottery. I am drawn to a simple, clean aesthetic in most aspects of life. My upbringing in Sweden has likely left its imprint. The Nordic, minimalist design, I mean.
I work in fine porcelain in my little studio, which is just a stone’s throw away from beautiful Crescent Beach. Light pots that glow in the dark are one of my favourite things to make. There are many of these pots scattered in my home and I light them often to enjoy the cosy light they cast. There are so many things I want to make, but what I am drawn to the most is making vessels for candles and flowers (and a few serving boards), things that warm a home. Thanks for reading.
Follow me on my Instagram. You are also welcome to phone me at (604) 313-2380
Shawna Godler
My life’s work has been nursing but I've always had an artistic side. I remember as a child gathering clay from Manitoba lake beds and making "treasures".
As an adult I am drawn to the creative energy of artists, art spaces and all things handmade. The tactile nature and meditative qualities of clay appeal to me. My favorite maker process is wheel throwing then altering the form by hand. I gravitate towards rustic simplicity, textures, uneven glazes, and "deliberate imperfections" in my pottery. I love everything "clay" from functional pieces to unique quirky sculptures.
Wabi Sabi means finding beauty in the imperfections of people and "things". Celebrating the wrinkles, lines and scars that time, weather, love and life leave behind.
This is my creative mantra!
Enhance your home and table with my simply imperfect home made pottery. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do creating it. Thanks for looking!
My Instagram site is @cottageclayworks, or email me at gcottageclayworks@gmail.com
Teresa Hotel
I have been potting for over 20 years.
I build my pots by hand, using a number of different techniques. I make molds from found objects and also use commercial molds.
I also love pinterest for ideas and find interesting templates there that I use for cups and bowls.
What I love about handbuilding is that I can make anything at all, I feel that I have so much freedom with this technique. Lately I am making very large coil pots, this is such fun seeing how far I can take an object.
I love color so my pots are full of it, just like my garden. Most of my painting is free hand tho I am always finding new and lovely ways to add decoration. Usually my pots are “one of a kind”.
Susan Johnston
Susan was born and raised in Vancouver British Columbia. She showed an early aptitude in visual art which lead her into future studies at the Vancouver School of Art (now Emily Carr), receiving the Helen Pitt Fund scholarship for first year students.
Susan continued her studies at Langara College finishing the two year Fine Arts diploma program and then attended UBC receiving her Bachelors degree in Art Education. Susan has always been involved in showing and selling her work in various shows and is a long time active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists based at Granville Island. She has recently become a member of the B.C. Potters Guild and the Semiahmoo Potters Society returning to her love of three dimensional work through pottery and sculpture.
Susan lives in South Surrey with her husband and has three adult children. Over the past thirty years Susan taught art at the high school level. She ran an after school clay club program for grade 8-12.
Now in retirement she finds time and energy for the development of a body of work exploring combination functional and sculptural pieces using pottery antiquities and Canadiana as her inspiration. Susan has participated in four shows in the last year featuring her ceramic sculptural work in south surrey and in downtown Vancouver and is looking forward to exploring the possibilities of this versatile medium.
Katherine Jordens
About 55 years ago, I made my first clay pot from clay my sister and I found on our farm in Saskatchewan. Fast forward to 2000 - when I finally took a pottery class and I've been hooked ever since! When on the wheel, I use porcelain....seduced by it's buttery-soft fine grain. My wheel made 'open' bowls, usually end up with random carved interiors. I prefer carving the 'inside' because the pattern is visible without picking up the bowl, and it invites one to touch/caress the piece.
Four years ago, I 'flew' off my bicycle and injured both arms and hands. For two months I had a nanny 24/7, and became severely depressed. Not knowing if I would be able to work on the wheel again, I bought a slab roller, made my own 'stencils' and started making tiles from a terra cotta clay. I now have over 200 patterns - including animals, horoscope signs, birds, and buildings. I often say that I can 'put' almost anything on a tile!! My tiles are thin, straight and can be used in customizing backsplashes, fireplace 'center pieces', etc.
This past year I took several mosaic classes, making hangings from random snapped glass tiles. I am currently making thin sheets of textured clay and plan to make mosaic pictures from my own 'snapped' tiles. My work has 'found homes' in most of the provinces, about 15 states, the Philippines, New Zealand, England, South Africa and a few European countries.
My motto: "There is beauty in imperfection" - Unknown
My mother kept the pinch pot I had made as a child...and now, I proudly display it as my 'profile portrait'.
contact - kjordensclay@gmail.com
Sherrin Kovach, BFA, Blue Poppy Pottery
I few years ago I decided to take a clay class at Semiahmoo Arts. It was time I learned something new. To my happy surprise not only did I learn a new skill, I found an entire new community. Working in a studio again with others brought me back to making more and more art. In my clay life I love to make useful one of a kind pieces you wont find from a factory. Something that will bring you joy each time you use it.
Follow my Instagram, shop my Square Store or e-mail me.
Karen L. Kroeker
Working with clay is an opportunity to take a meaningless lump of mush and form it into something fun or functional or both. For me it’s a tactile evolving process and my hope is that the outcome makes someone smile. I make Garden art and home-use items like luminaries and bowls and unique mugs. Follow me on Instagram, or you can contact me by email or phone me 604-817-3479.
Linda Langton
Threw my first pot in grade 7 but didn’t touch clay again till grade 12 when I started teaching a night school class for the Burnaby Arts Centre. I was hooked after that. I attended Langara College in 1975 and studied with Don Hutchison. I put my pottery on hold shortly there after to work and raise a family. In January 2014 I went back to Langara to ignite my creative spark again and studied with Alwyn O’Brien for 3 years. I moved to South Surrey in 2018 and now work out of the South Surrey Arts and Rec centre and the Semiahmoo Potters Society.
My main focus in pottery is functional pieces with a twist. I enjoy sculptural forms and exploring the limits of clay and glaze materials.
Sharon Lightstone
Many (many) moons ago I made a carrot with clay. I was five and I was hooked. Before I retired I was able to share my passion for art with my many students in my primary classes and after school clubs in both Alberta and B.C. I was fortunate to produce a few popular art instructional videos for children. My favourite was titled “Clay Fun”. I continue to have fun with clay and I hope that some of my creations might make others smile as well!
Diane Petersen
I enjoy making functional ceramics people find useful, but I’m also drawn to the freedom of creating sculptures and jewelry. My love of forests, beaches and gardening influences my glaze choices and organic shapes. It’s an all-consuming passion of endless possibilities.
I'm still discovering new styles and contours and colour combinations. There’s magic in crafting clay into tangible art or purposeful pieces.
The alchemy of ceramics is addictive. After introductory pottery lessons at Surrey Douglas College in the ‘70s, I was too busy with family and work to continue. But I was definitely hooked! Pottery classes through WR Recreation reignited my passion, so after retiring from teaching I took ceramic courses at the Surrey Art Centre and the Shadbolt studios. Joining Semiahmoo Potters in 2008 has enriched my craftsmanship. The “hands on” experience in glazing and firing techniques, plus the club’s goal to “connect through clay” have enhanced my sense of style and expanded my circle of pottery pals. It’s wonderful to interact with others who feel equally compelled to create with clay.
Contact me: dpeterse2@gmail.com View more pottery on Instagram
Cindy Sandboe
Pottery started for me in 1980 when I took my first class and bought my beginner set of pottery tools. I was going to be making beautiful pieces in a few weeks. Well, we all know how naive and unrealistic my ambitions were. That said, I knew I was hooked. Work, family and life would halt my illustrious career as a ‘Master Potter’ for the next 20 years, but I knew one day I would try again.
Today, I am a humble hobby potter and I still have that now rusted, dull, worn set of tools and I am still enthusiastically imagining all of the masterpieces I want to create.
The saying “clear as mud” means murky, obscure, anything but clear. Not for me.
I see that lump of mud very clearly and its endless possibilities for my creative spirit. Pottery is my therapy and it gives me the freedom to make things I love....that is why you will always find a ️ carved on every piece that my heart, hands and clay let me create.
Lori Standen
My pottery life began as a young child, playing in the dirt and mud and expanded when, on a family vacation to Windemere Lake we came upon some clay on the hillside and proceeded to form pots and bowls and whatever else, leaving them to dry in the sun. Then, in high school I had an opportunity to try my hand on the potter's wheel that the art teacher had. I was inspired! Growing up in Victoria, I remember many trips out to see Robin Hopper's work, in Metchosin. Such beautiful treasures. My own work began to develop about 10 years ago when I had the opportunity to join up with the Semiahmoo Potters. Mostly, I love the texture and feel of moving and forming the clay and exploring the multitude of glazing techniques. I continue to be inspired by many of the talented potters here in our own group and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a member, creating for the pleasure of creating, as the muse leads me along...
Daphne Tate
I grew up in England and the island of Malta in the Mediterranean, surrounded by history and art. This instilled in me a strong interest in sculpture and art. I work with animals, especially dogs, and this has influenced the ceramic work that I do.
Wendy Tse
I began taking pottery classes at the Surrey Art Center in the 1990’s. After taking a long break to raise my family while working full time, I returned to pottery in 2019. Nature and architecture are my inspirations. I love throwing round forms on the wheel, as well as handbuilding and sculpture. I love colour, but also have an appreciation for neutral palettes. Creativity feeds my soul. I consider myself a lifelong learner and a maker-of-pretty-cool-things. I joined Semiahmoo Potters in 2021, and have enjoyed meeting other creative minds, sharing knowledge, and making new friends. Instagram: wndytse
SPS Alumni
Ingrid Mayer
Ingrid started pottery as a retirement hobby 4 years ago. She has a home studio where she enjoys experimenting with glaze recipes and pottery techniques such as nerikomi, a Japanese coloured clay technique, crystalline glazes, hand building, wheel throwing and slip casting, and more recently segmented-mold abstract sculptures.
Nicole Mulligan
I started casually learning hand building first. Which is great staring point for beginners. Moved into finally learning wheel work. I’ve been potting for about 15 year now. Love having such a challenging hobby. Always learning new things.
Eve Rempel
Since 2016, a fresh bag of clay has represented the beginning of the creative process for me. Working with clay is so satisfying to my senses. The smell of it reminds me of rain on the earth. The feel of it reminds me of being a child. From that lump of clay – endless possibilities. My hands and heart seem to be drawn to creating mugs and bowls – something for everyday. I love simple forms and earthy tones. In this world where so much is mass fabricated, I hope my pieces can help you slow down for a moment and enjoy the simple things in life.
Rox
My name is Rox and my introduction to clay began at a beginner's pottery class that I attended at the Surrey Arts Centre in 2000. The pottery class was just a means to make new friends and, while I did make new friends unexpectedly, I ended up developing an obsessive relationship with clay. In the beginning, I had a love / hate relationship with pottery and, even now, I still find working with clay frustrating and challenging at times. However, just like a really good friend, working with clay has its rewards-its therapeutic. It allows me to express my inner self and to be creative. In spite of all the disappointments that I have experienced as a potter, I have also experienced many happy surprises where everything has turned out well or better than expected. I'm still learning and I am grateful for all the encouragement, instruction, and guidance that I have received from amazing pottery artists such as Murray Saunders, Darrel Hancock, Robert Shiozaki, Heather Northam, and Don Hutchinson. The aforementioned great pottery artists have all assisted with my development as a potter and they have inspired me in my pottery work.
In memoriam
Don Hutchinson
Surrey Civic Treasure, Don Hutchinson was an inspired ceramicist who delighted in sharing skills and his lifetime of knowledge as an enthusiastic and encouraging teacher. He began making pottery in 1964 and continued until his death in November 2018. He taught ceramics at Langara for 30 years; a Canadian icon and Canada Council Grant recipient, his skill with creating glazes from natural elements earned international respect. His main interest was functional table ware and whimsical sculpture, which impart the sense of joyfulness he felt when making something from clay. Museums and ceramic history were great passions for him. He greatly enjoyed talking to groups and doing workshops. Don’s participation in Semiahmoo Potters sales and events, and valuable contributions as a teacher and mentor continue to inspired club members. Crossroads, his final show in September 2018, was a mixed media art display of fibre arts, sculpture, ceramics, paintings and drawings. Don shared pop-up gallery space in the White Rock Central Plaza with three other artists.
