Artist-educators
Karen Bailey
Karen’s experiences with clay started way back when she used to play outdoors in her backyard, using mud, sticks and pinecones to create animal sculptures living in a make-believe forest. As a Kindergarten and early Primary teacher, she noticed how her students loved to use their hands to create and mould materials, not just playdough or plasticene, but any gelatinous, malleable substance... sand, mud, paint, goop, dough, even glue... they all attracted children who liked to get their hands mucky! Because she, too, liked to work with her hands, this fascination lead her to join the Guild, and to do some “mucking about” of her own during a variety of handbuilding and wheel classes. Now, she enjoys sharing this opportunity with children of all ages, encouraging them, not only to create a variety of projects out of clay, but to discover the fun in“just mucking about”. Her motto: Playing with clay needs to be fun!
“The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see!”
Alexandra Trenfor
“The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see!”
Alexandra Trenfor
Brian Barry
Brian Edward Barry was born in Hampton Ontario on February 25,1958. He had a keen interest in the arts, especially using lead pencil and creating high realism drawings. he continued honing his drawing skills but felt that he needed more expertise.
After his marriage to Miriam in 1983, he began attending the Beal Secondary post graduate Art Program in London Ontario, that involved several studios of various mediums including pencil drawing, painting, fabric design, art history, and of course, work in clay.. affectionately called the ceramics class. He did not feel that he was an adaquate sculpter, which most of the students opted to do in the class. Brian convinced Bevin Ling that he should teach him how to use the potters wheel. Beven talked him through the process and Brian succeeded in making a cylinder. He continued to hone his skills in pottery and joined the London Potters guild when it was located at Banting High school.
Brian purchased his first potters wheel in 1985 and his first kiln from the Sisters of St Joseph. He set up his first studio on King St in an auto body shop and then moved the studio to Stacey's Schoolhouse in Dutton Ontario on a country road called Starvation St. which has since been changed to Pioneer Line. Brian's love for functional pottery has evolved through the years. He prides himself in being able to make a 'drip proof tea pot' from porcelain clay, his clay of choice, although he has used stone ware on a number of occasions. Brian's glazing evokes thoughts of scenery and landscape through the use of blues, reds, and greens. He has also used the white base of porcelain clay to create high realism drawings on his work.
Brian has participated in many guild exhibitions and sales. He has done work for Hutton House, Pinecroft Pottery, Toronto Galleries and one of a kind shows and commissions. Brian also uses his pottery skills in ministry work as an analogy of life and Biblical characters.
Brian is passionate about creating the best and most functional pottery. He is also passionate about teaching his students, giving them skills and an interest in an art form passionate to him.
After his marriage to Miriam in 1983, he began attending the Beal Secondary post graduate Art Program in London Ontario, that involved several studios of various mediums including pencil drawing, painting, fabric design, art history, and of course, work in clay.. affectionately called the ceramics class. He did not feel that he was an adaquate sculpter, which most of the students opted to do in the class. Brian convinced Bevin Ling that he should teach him how to use the potters wheel. Beven talked him through the process and Brian succeeded in making a cylinder. He continued to hone his skills in pottery and joined the London Potters guild when it was located at Banting High school.
Brian purchased his first potters wheel in 1985 and his first kiln from the Sisters of St Joseph. He set up his first studio on King St in an auto body shop and then moved the studio to Stacey's Schoolhouse in Dutton Ontario on a country road called Starvation St. which has since been changed to Pioneer Line. Brian's love for functional pottery has evolved through the years. He prides himself in being able to make a 'drip proof tea pot' from porcelain clay, his clay of choice, although he has used stone ware on a number of occasions. Brian's glazing evokes thoughts of scenery and landscape through the use of blues, reds, and greens. He has also used the white base of porcelain clay to create high realism drawings on his work.
Brian has participated in many guild exhibitions and sales. He has done work for Hutton House, Pinecroft Pottery, Toronto Galleries and one of a kind shows and commissions. Brian also uses his pottery skills in ministry work as an analogy of life and Biblical characters.
Brian is passionate about creating the best and most functional pottery. He is also passionate about teaching his students, giving them skills and an interest in an art form passionate to him.
Shelley Boa
Shelley Boa is a potter with 21 years’ experience behind her. She has recently moved to London from Guelph where she started her pottery career with master potter Goldie Sherman. Upon moving to Guelph she was given an opportunity to learn how to make pottery and has never looked back. She fell in love with the whole process of working with clay. From the early days of struggling to center a lump of clay on a wheel, she now creates high quality functional works of art from goblets to dinnerware and teapots,
She throws and glazes her own forms from high fire brown stoneware clays. I use various decorating techniques giving a flavour of years gone by and of nature, techniques range from burnishing (the earliest form of compacting the clay with polished river stones), wax resist design, carving and various sculptural techniques both on her pottery and as solo pieces.
Shelley has also taught pottery classes for the past 16 years to people of all ages and enjoys sharing her creative process with her students and assisting them in discovering their own creativity.
"I have taken pottery with Shelley Boa for about 7 years. She always encouraged me to go with my inspiration, to try things and enjoy the experience of creating. She is one of the most patient people I've ever met, never gets flapped and never criticizes. She has helped me learn her craft (although I could never be as gifted as she is) and has shown me how to save pieces that I thought were hopeless. I love pottery and I believe that is because I had such a wonderful teacher." Jackie Clark
These days it is a magical feeling to be able to work in such an ancient medium, producing handcrafted pieces that enhances people’s everyday lives with a little more soul and remind people in this high-tech society that not everything has to come off an assembly line.
SheBoa Pottery Facebook and Instagram @sheboapottery
She throws and glazes her own forms from high fire brown stoneware clays. I use various decorating techniques giving a flavour of years gone by and of nature, techniques range from burnishing (the earliest form of compacting the clay with polished river stones), wax resist design, carving and various sculptural techniques both on her pottery and as solo pieces.
Shelley has also taught pottery classes for the past 16 years to people of all ages and enjoys sharing her creative process with her students and assisting them in discovering their own creativity.
"I have taken pottery with Shelley Boa for about 7 years. She always encouraged me to go with my inspiration, to try things and enjoy the experience of creating. She is one of the most patient people I've ever met, never gets flapped and never criticizes. She has helped me learn her craft (although I could never be as gifted as she is) and has shown me how to save pieces that I thought were hopeless. I love pottery and I believe that is because I had such a wonderful teacher." Jackie Clark
These days it is a magical feeling to be able to work in such an ancient medium, producing handcrafted pieces that enhances people’s everyday lives with a little more soul and remind people in this high-tech society that not everything has to come off an assembly line.
SheBoa Pottery Facebook and Instagram @sheboapottery
Nancy Marshall
Nancy was born and raised in London, Ontario. Studying art in Fanshawe College, Johannesburg Art Foundation and Nippissing University allowed here to be introduced to a wide variety of art forms and practices. Upon Nancy's return to London, Ontario she “rediscovered” her original love for pottery, one of her earliest artistic pursuits. She joined the Potters’ Guild in 2006 and loves working in such a dynamic community of artistic energy. Nancy is currently enjoying an exploration of varied techniques used to alter standard forms.
Elly Pakalnis
Elly’s interest in pottery began with collecting ceramic pots. Since she enjoyed creating “things”, she thought “why not try pottery”?
Although not an initial “natural potter”, Elly is most attracted to the infinite possibilities of the clay medium and the challenges of the various decorating techniques. The focus of Elly’s work is functional ware with a flare focussing on simple forms and colorful decorative surfaces. Elly’s pottery education includes having taken numerous classes and workshops with potters whose techniques she admires. In 2019, Elly had opportunities to go to Korea and China, original centres of clay production centuries ago, and the inspiration from these trips will trickle into her future work.
Elly has sold her work for several years by participating in the London Potter’s Guild spring and fall sales, as well as participating for numerous years at the London Artist Studio Tour. Currently her work is sold through the London Clay Art Centre Store.
Although not an initial “natural potter”, Elly is most attracted to the infinite possibilities of the clay medium and the challenges of the various decorating techniques. The focus of Elly’s work is functional ware with a flare focussing on simple forms and colorful decorative surfaces. Elly’s pottery education includes having taken numerous classes and workshops with potters whose techniques she admires. In 2019, Elly had opportunities to go to Korea and China, original centres of clay production centuries ago, and the inspiration from these trips will trickle into her future work.
Elly has sold her work for several years by participating in the London Potter’s Guild spring and fall sales, as well as participating for numerous years at the London Artist Studio Tour. Currently her work is sold through the London Clay Art Centre Store.
Chris Snedden
Chris Snedden has been a potter for over 20 years in the London area, and has worked in almost every facet of the pottery business, from building electric kilns and teaching courses or workshops, to producing and distributing giftware for the international market. Chris’s work continues to be shown at festivals and galleries across Ontario. Chris continues to teach, give workshops, and develop his award winning work.
See Chris Shedden's website here.
See Chris Shedden's website here.
Kyle Thomson
Kyle attended the Sheridan College ceramics program. He was lucky enough to study under some of Canada's most respected potters.
He has been working as a production potter since 2007, having worked for Jackie Seaton of Perth, ON, Tim Smith of Wiarton, ON, and most recently Eric Lindgren of Huntsville, ON.
Kyle has been teaching clay to all ages at the London Potter's Guild since it moved to it's new location on Dundas Street in 2009.
He has been working as a production potter since 2007, having worked for Jackie Seaton of Perth, ON, Tim Smith of Wiarton, ON, and most recently Eric Lindgren of Huntsville, ON.
Kyle has been teaching clay to all ages at the London Potter's Guild since it moved to it's new location on Dundas Street in 2009.
Gene Timpany
Clay forms, decoration techniques and the joy of physically creating an object, based on an image in my mind’s eye, came from the influence of my mother. She became involved in ceramics during my late public school years and I learned as she did and continued to do so through high school and college.
I decided to take a wheel thrown pottery course to try to re-connect with the art of my past. In this medium, I found texture to add to the play of light, shadow and colour. I love to create three-dimensional objects that are both useful and beautiful. Clay has gotten under my nails. Light and shadow have become fire and smoke. The movement of colour frozen in an instant from glaze that has run down the side of a bowl is a snap shot depicting colour, depth and texture. In mastering control over form and glazing techniques, I am able to create beautiful functional pottery pieces that are also
pieces of art.
I joined the Potters Guild in September of 2005 and have not looked back. Last year I was the artist in residence for the Guild and I learned a lot about clay. I would like the opportunity to pass what I have learned on to you through the classes offered by the Guild.
Gene's website.
I decided to take a wheel thrown pottery course to try to re-connect with the art of my past. In this medium, I found texture to add to the play of light, shadow and colour. I love to create three-dimensional objects that are both useful and beautiful. Clay has gotten under my nails. Light and shadow have become fire and smoke. The movement of colour frozen in an instant from glaze that has run down the side of a bowl is a snap shot depicting colour, depth and texture. In mastering control over form and glazing techniques, I am able to create beautiful functional pottery pieces that are also
pieces of art.
I joined the Potters Guild in September of 2005 and have not looked back. Last year I was the artist in residence for the Guild and I learned a lot about clay. I would like the opportunity to pass what I have learned on to you through the classes offered by the Guild.
Gene's website.
Christine Torres
Christine’s journey with clay started as a passion for and collector of hand made ceramics. It wasn’t until 4 years ago that she decided to get her hands dirty. The moment she walked into her first class she was hooked. Clay is about self discovery, creativity, exploration, reflection, and down right fun. Christine loves to share her enthusiasm and to help others explore their path with clay.
Christine's website, and social media.
Christine's website, and social media.
Beth Turnbull Morrish
I have been an artist as long as I can remember, always drawing, painting and getting dirty.
I attended Beal Art in London as an interdisciplinary student and earned a Technological Studies Certificate in Vocational Art. Four years at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design resulted in a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Ceramics and a love of clay.
While in Halifax I worked as a potter’s assistant for two different potters. After graduation I joined the London Potters Guild as a studio member. I became Artist In Residence and later Studio Technician as well as beginning my teaching career with adults and kids courses, which I still enjoy teaching there. I am also teaching Ceramics at Lambton College in Sarnia.
Beth's website
I attended Beal Art in London as an interdisciplinary student and earned a Technological Studies Certificate in Vocational Art. Four years at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design resulted in a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Ceramics and a love of clay.
While in Halifax I worked as a potter’s assistant for two different potters. After graduation I joined the London Potters Guild as a studio member. I became Artist In Residence and later Studio Technician as well as beginning my teaching career with adults and kids courses, which I still enjoy teaching there. I am also teaching Ceramics at Lambton College in Sarnia.
Beth's website
Bev McNaughton
Bev had been practicing pottery for over 10 years. She is also a textile artist and practices mixing pottery and fibre arts.
Bev's website, and social media.
Bev's website, and social media.
