PRESS RELEASE 
July 22, 2024
​$20,200 Ontario Government Grant Shelters Clayworx: Ceramic Arts Learning Centre!

London, ON – On Saturday, London North Centre MPP Terence Kernaghan met with the team at Clayworx:  Ceramic Arts Learning Centre to hear more about the $20,200 Capital Grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to fund renovations to their heritage-designated Dundas street location. 
“I am pleased that Clayworx has received much-needed funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to keep this Old East Village icon safe, water-tight, and breathing easily in their beautiful heritage location,” said Terence Kernaghan, MPP for London North Centre. “The programming available at Clayworx is truly wonderful and accessible, building on historic, ancient techniques in a modern, inclusive, and meaningful way. Thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for recognizing the wonderful work happening at Clayworx!”
First awarded in September 2023, the $20,200 Capital grant funded much-needed renovations to Clayworx’s heritage-designated space on Dundas street. The funds allowed the organization to replace their aging building’s roof as well as adding a new HVAC system. These improvements will allow Clayworx to continue to provide child accessible ceramic arts programming across the London region and protect its historically significant facade and property.  
Clayworx is an educational arts facility located in a heritage designated property in London’s Old East Village. As a registered charity our mission is to provide accessible ceramic arts education to all.  Clayworx programming includes classes and workshops for adults and kids and a membership program for regional potters to connect with one another and to access the infrastructure required for the art. Clayworx is dedicated to the ongoing development of clay arts and artists in Southwestern Ontario and beyond. 

Clayworx aspires to give everyone access to exceptional educational, artistic, and community-building experiences with clay and ceramic art. They believe believe working with clay empowers people to embrace their inner creativity, transforming how they feel about themselves and the connection between art and community-building.
“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like Clayworx deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure they remain at the heart of the community for decades to come."
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Apr 1, 2023, London Free Press, ​"Inside London's reimagined clay arts studio"

​​The London Potters Guild and the London Clay Art Centre have consolidated  to form Clayworx, a charitable arts organization based at 664 Dundas St. that offers education programs in ceramic arts for all ages, an open clay studio for artists and community-building experiences with clay.

$115,800 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Grant to Build Resiliency

In 2022, we received a $115,800 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the OTF to support rebuilding and recovering from impacts of COVID-19. These funds were used to renovate instructional spaces and purchase audio-visual equipment to support an exceptional learning environment; the project was completed in October 2022.

​We used these funds for expanding classrooms to facilitate physical distancing and create plexiglass barriers between workstations, thereby reducing the indoor-gathering hesitancy we have encountered from artists/students.

​Funds also provided technological solutions for instructors to demonstrate without requiring students to gather shoulder-to-shoulder.

(above photo: before - right photo: after)

August 10, 2022, London Free Press, "Mural masterpiece at Old East affordable apartments"

A Dundas Street affordable housing development is getting a colourful makeover thanks to the work of more than 200 London artists.

June 3, 2022, ON Culture Days, "This National AccessAbility Week, we celebrate programming that's designed for inclusion"

Back when the London Clay Art Centre moved into a heritage building in the city's old east village, accessibility - a lift to the upper floor, larger washrooms - was incorporated into the renovation plans.

December 10, 2021, London Free Press, "Explore London's shops and markets to find the perfect gift" 
​Another shop worth checking out is the London Clay Art Centre on Dundas Street just east of Adelaide in the heart of Old East Village where I came across Elinore Jackson shopping for Christmas ornaments for family and friends.

December 05, 2020, London Free Press, "Buying gifts from local artisans and craftspeople a 'one-of-a-kind option" 
​This was supposed to be a big year for Amy Klinkhamer. She gave up her job as a barista to focus, full-time, on her pottery as the London Clay Art Centre's artist-in-residence, turning clay into mugs, bowls, plates and vases, each piece an expression of her talent...

November 13, 2020, London FUSE, "London Neighbourhood Histories: Old East Village's Artistic Roots Run Deep"
Defined by its historic roots and indomitable spirit, London, ON’s Old East Village exudes a unique and timeless charm.  
​A short distance east of the downtown core, Old East Village has cultivated a distinct “front porch” culture over the years based around its emphasis on buying local and the palpable sense of community pride.

October 18, 2019, CBC London, "Meet the artist who came all the way from Ireland to be..."
Daumante Stirbyte was the first international artist in residence at the London Clay Art Centre. Dauma is happiest when sitting in a room with a big pile of mud in front of her.

September 11, 2019, London Free Press, "Doors Open to reveal London's 'untold stories' on weekend"
The London Clay Art Centre will be open for tours of its heritage building and clay-making activities ahead of its 10th anniversary at its Dundas Street location.

July 3, 2019, ​The Londoner, "Summer learning experiences not just for kids"
In the summer of 2019, London Clay Art Centre piloted highly successful week-long clay camps for adults!

March 28, 2019, Put A Lid On It!, "Ceramic artists from across Canada featured at new exhibition"
​In the past, the exhibition was limited to potters from Southwestern Ontario but as London Clay Art Centre has become “more respected and nationally known in the ceramics community,” the decision was made to expand the call for submissions to include any potter residing in Canada, said organizer Peg Dunnem.

January 8, 2019, Ceramics Monthly Magazine, "A Cultural Mosaic"
Published in the most widely read ceramic arts magazine in the world, this article describes the impact of the involvement of 650 individuals from 25 community organizations and 80 volunteers in bringing LCAC's spectacular 900 square foot mosaic to life on the east wall of the Centre. It also describes the technical processes used by artists, Susan Day and Beth Turnbull Morrish, in the making of our cherished Canada 150 mosaic.

​November 13, 2018, The London Free Press, "Traditional skills get new life at fibre art, pottery sales"
Twice annually, local clay artists sell their work at our Potters Market. ..."the creations of more than 40 clay artists from the London Potters Guild will be on display at the Education Centre, from works of ceramic art to practical yet unique pieces of pottery such as pots, plates, cups and vases.

August 2018, CTV News, Mosaics installed in Old East Village for city's Neighbourhood Decision Making program
London Clay Art Centre received funding through the City of London's Neighbourhood Decision Making program. After the popularity of our Canada 150 mosaic project, the community voted for our proposal to create and install way-finding signs in the Old East Village using the same mosaic technique.