Canadian Clay Symposium

Canadian Clay Symposium The Canadian Clay Symposium provides an educational forum for artists focused in Ceramic Arts.

Join us this March, 21st 2026 for live demonstrations and lectures by professional artists who share their process.

Thanks to everyone to attended or followed along with the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? in Mar...
06/06/2026

Thanks to everyone to attended or followed along with the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? 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 ๐Ÿ

Vin Arora and Lael Chmelyk demonstrated alongside each other in Studio 103 for the10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ...
06/06/2026

Vin Arora and Lael Chmelyk demonstrated alongside each other in Studio 103 for the10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? 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 ๐Ÿฆ›

Working with clay is a full body workout ๐Ÿ’ช Grace Han and Jai Sallay-Carrington both demonstrated this as the scale of th...
06/04/2026

Working with clay is a full body workout ๐Ÿ’ช 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 ๐Ÿฆ†

The vibes were good! Thank you to everyone who attended the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? on M...
06/04/2026

The vibes were good! Thank you to everyone who attended the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? 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 โ€œSur La Table;โ€ 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 ๐Ÿ›

Lael Chmelyk and Vin Arora packed Studio 103 to the brim for the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ?...
06/04/2026

Lael Chmelyk and Vin Arora packed Studio 103 to the brim for the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? 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 ๐ŸŽ

Jai Sallay-Carrington and Grace Han demonstrated their signature techniques in the Studio Theatre for the 10th Canadian ...
06/03/2026

Jai Sallay-Carrington and Grace Han demonstrated their signature techniques in the Studio Theatre for the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? 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 ๐Ÿ”ฅ

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

Sharon Reay and Linda Doherty were announced as the honourees of the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ...
06/02/2026

Sharon Reay and Linda Doherty were announced as the honourees of the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? 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 ๐ŸŒž

A look back at the keynote event that kicked off the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? Jesse Birch...
06/02/2026

A look back at the keynote event that kicked off the 10th Canadian Clay Symposium, ๐“’๐“ต๐“ช๐”‚: ๐“—๐“ธ๐”€ ๐“—๐“ช๐“ป๐“ญ ๐“’๐“ช๐“ท ๐“˜๐“ฝ ๐“‘๐“ฎ? Jesse Birchโ€™s talk, โ€œWhere Do Pots Belong? On Exhibiting Useful Ceramics,โ€ was preceded by a memorable welcome by Willie Lewis; an in memoriam slideshow of the friends and colleagues that we have lost; Debra Sloan presenting the first Sally Michener Award to Julie York; the announcement of honourees Sharon Reay & Linda Doherty (more about that in another post!); and an update about by Robin and Eden DuPont.

Thank you to Emily Carr University and for hosting, and for sponsoring the talk. Thank also to the students, .ceramics and that organized a brilliant exhibition outside of the Reliance Theatre.

Photographs by . Thanks to Louise Reimer for assisting with selection โ˜˜๏ธ

Share widely! If you liked spending time at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and you work with clay, please consider app...
03/22/2026

Share widely! If you liked spending time at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and you work with clay, please consider applying for the 2027 Deer Lake Artist Residency by March 31 ๐ŸŒž The facilities are particularly well-suited to early-career and mid-career ceramic artists and potters with an interest in high-fire ceramics and atmospheric firings. Artists from outside of Burnaby may also apply to stay in one of the guest heritage houses on Deer Lake, Baldwin House or Eagles Estate. This photo is of the Pottery Studio in Mathers House, which is the main space for creating, but artists also get access to the Kiln Shed, Steam Plant, and Place of Dust (Glaze Lab).

There is no fee to apply to . The Ceramic Arts residency window is August 3-September 11, 2027. Visit burnaby.ca/air for more information & application.

The artists for 2025 were Coral Patola (), Malina Sintnicolaas (), Gloria Jue-Youn Han (), Mitra Mahmoodi (), and Brianne Siu (). Photo by

Update! The owner has been located! Is this stunning mug yours? It was left behind! Contact us so that we ca reunite yo...
03/22/2026

Update! The owner has been located! Is this stunning mug yours? It was left behind! Contact us so that we ca reunite you ๐Ÿค [email protected] or DM

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6450 Deer Lake Avenue
Burnaby, BC
V5G2J3

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+1 604-291-6864

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