Zara Gardner, an emerging, Barbados-born artist says, “London Clay Art Centre (LCAC) provides so many opportunities for emerging and established artists; it helped to launch my career in ceramics.”
Frequenting her mother’s art gallery as a child, Zara always knew she wanted to be an artist. In 2000, she moved to Canada and, in 2010, completed a Bachelor of Fine Art degree at the University of Guelph. She followed it up with a certificate in ceramics from the Haliburton School of Art and Design. Says Zara, “Ceramics was really eye-opening for me. I can combine so many techniques like drawing, painting, printing and sculpting. There are unlimited possibilities.”
Before beginning her certificate course in ceramics, Zara briefly encountered the LCAC family, and was amazed at the organization’s multiple offerings. “Their retail space is excellent and as an emerging ceramic artist, it certainly helps to have a store front where your work can be displayed.” She adds, “In terms of promoting my work, LCAC’s numerous exhibitions have greatly helped me showcase my work at a local and national level. It has really been advantageous in getting my name out there.”

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Passionate about the natural environment, Zara infuses the mesmerizing beauty of the Caribbean into her pieces. She aims to bring environmental awareness through her art. The impact of climate change on coral bleaching, as well as plastic pollution, are issues on which she focuses. Having recently moved to Toronto, Zara laments the lack of available work space at nearby guilds. “LCAC has such a large, well equipped studio that I love and plan to keep using despite now living in Toronto. The studio here has everything a ceramic artist needs, and membership is very affordable.”
Zara also loves the fact that LCAC is inclusive and heavily involved in community projects. She says, “They give so much in terms of education. There is a variety of classes and workshops for all age groups. The public can access not just the physical facility and resources, but the LCAC community, which is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. It‘s a great place to work creatively!”