Canadian Clay Symposium

09/04/2026

With immense excitement, we announce that the Canadian Clay Symposium is travelling to Saskatchewan in 2027. ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅᴡᴏʀᴋ will take place April 16-18, 2027 at Remai Modern in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 🔥 Save the date!

ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅᴡᴏʀᴋ takes its name from a deliberate double meaning: the Earth itself, and the foundational work of building something enduring. Saskatchewan’s relationship to clay runs deep and this conference draws on that history as both subject and starting point, ɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅᴡᴏʀᴋ is offered as a single event, but as a foundation — the first layer of an ongoing conversation between Saskatchewan’s ceramic community and the national field.

More details to come, including presenting partners and sponsors. Sign up for our e-newsletter by following the link in our bio or keep an eye on these socials. For immediate enquiries, or if you’re based in Saskatchewan and want to get involved, please email [email protected]

09/04/2026

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Canadian Clay Symposium Email Forms

06/06/2026

Thanks to everyone to attended or followed along with the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, 𝓒𝓵𝓪𝔂: 𝓗𝓸𝔀 𝓗𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓒𝓪𝓷 𝓘𝓽 𝓑𝓮? in March. In our final recap post (for now), we want to highlight the atmosphere of the symposium. It is a successful event because of the energy and enthusiasm that everyone brings, including the visiting artists, tradeshow vendors, guilds, and attendees. There are endless ways to approach working with clay, and it is an honour to facilitate a gathering where diverse perspectives and practices are so celebrated. See you in 2028/29!

Photographs 1-2, 4, 8-11, 13-14 by . Photographs 3, 5-7, 12 by Rebecca Nowosad (). Thanks to Louise Reimer for assisting with selection 🐝

06/06/2026

Vin Arora and Lael Chmelyk demonstrated alongside each other in Studio 103 for the10th Canadian Clay Symposium, 𝓒𝓵𝓪𝔂: 𝓗𝓸𝔀 𝓗𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓒𝓪𝓷 𝓘𝓽 𝓑𝓮? on March 20 at . Although their work is very different, both artists bring bold distinction to simple forms. Vin and Lael are talented at altering functional forms for comfort and aesthetic. Thanks to both of them for an incredibly generous day!

Photographs by Rebecca Nowosad (). Thanks to Louise Reimer for assisting with selection 🦛

06/04/2026

Working with clay is a full body workout 💪 Grace Han and Jai Sallay-Carrington both demonstrated this as the scale of their pieces grew during their symposium presentations. Using varied techniques to create very different types of work, both artists have a keen understanding of leveraging height and momentum, and identifying the tools and supports they need to go BIG!

Thank you Rebecca Nowosad () for the photographs. Thanks to Louise Reimer for assisting with selection 🦆

06/04/2026

The vibes were good! Thank you to everyone who attended the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, 𝓒𝓵𝓪𝔂: 𝓗𝓸𝔀 𝓗𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓒𝓪𝓷 𝓘𝓽 𝓑𝓮? on March 20 at . Here are some photos that capture the event outside of the artist demonstrations. Thank you to all the Trade Show vendors and participating guilds; to for “Sur La Table;” and Robin & Eden from .

Photographs 1-2, 5, 9-12 by Rebecca Nowosad (). Photographs 3-4, 6-8 by . Thanks to Louise Reimer for assisting with selection 🐛

06/04/2026

Lael Chmelyk and Vin Arora packed Studio 103 to the brim for the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, 𝓒𝓵𝓪𝔂: 𝓗𝓸𝔀 𝓗𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓒𝓪𝓷 𝓘𝓽 𝓑𝓮? on March 20 at . Alternating demonstrations, artist talks and slides, both artists showed techniques for levelling up on the wheel and altering forms.

Photographs 1, 5-11 by Rebecca Nowosad (). Photographs 2-4 by . Thanks to Louise Reimer for assisting with selection 🐎

06/03/2026

Jai Sallay-Carrington and Grace Han demonstrated their signature techniques in the Studio Theatre for the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, 𝓒𝓵𝓪𝔂: 𝓗𝓸𝔀 𝓗𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓒𝓪𝓷 𝓘𝓽 𝓑𝓮? on March 20 at . Both artists chose to work BIG to match the drama of the space. Here are some photographs of their pieces in progress, more coming soon 🔥

Photographs 1, 5-6, 8 by . Photographs 3-4, 7, 9-11 by Rebecca Nowosad (). Thanks to Louise Reimer for assisting with selection ✨

06/02/2026

Sharon Reay and Linda Doherty were announced as the honourees of the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, 𝓒𝓵𝓪𝔂: 𝓗𝓸𝔀 𝓗𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓒𝓪𝓷 𝓘𝓽 𝓑𝓮? during the keynote event on March 20. In addition to their individual and extensive ceramic practices, Sharon and Linda have collaborated on a number of sculptures over the years, and both worked to produce previous symposia in their former roles at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. Their championing of local ceramic artists and potters for 50+ years has been instrumental in establishing Burnaby as a major centre for atmospheric firing in Western Canada. Without them, there would be no Canadian Clay Symposium! As part of their recognition, their work was also on display at and collaborative pieces with Jay MacLennan were shown at .

Photographs by . Thanks to Louise Reimer for assisting with selection 🌞