By Angelica Ingram
Published Oct. 18 2016
Artist April Gates is looking forward to once again opening the doors of Blackbird Pottery Studio and partaking in her love of teaching.
The potter is offering fall workshops starting the week of Oct. 25 where students will learn a variety of things such as wheel throwing hand building and decorating techniques.
Following a successful summer series Gates said she’s offering this workshop session because she believes there’s always been a demand for regular hands-on pottery classes.
“The challenge has been having/creating the space” she said in an email. “Offering classes has long been part of the vision for Blackbird Pottery. With recent business expansion and a new space I can now share the experience of making with others.”
Located in Donald at 5843 Gelert Rd. Blackbird Pottery is open to beginners to participants with moderate experience.
The session will include an after school youth and family class on Tuesdays and an adult class on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and an afternoon class on Wednesdays.
Gates said if there is enough interest another afternoon class may be added to the schedule. Fees include cost of materials use of tools and firings.
The potter said students will learn many aspects of the art form before moving into more focused projects.
“Once they’ve gained some experience students typically stream into areas of interest and work away on self directed projects” she said.
So far Gates has received positive feedback from previous workshops she has taught and is looking forward to the fall session.
A potter for 14 years Gates has been doing the art form full-time for the past decade. She teaches at the Haliburton School of Art and Design and in the Arts Council’s Artist in the Schools program.
She is a member of the Haliburton County Studio Tour and of Make & Do a Canadian Ceramics Collective.
For more information on the workshops visit www.blackbirdpottery.ca.