AX Ceramics Conference
Sustainable Practices
In 2021, AX conducted a survey of potters, ceramists, and other industry professionals in the Atlantic Canada region. The results were clear: a need for a tighter, stronger ceramics community. In response, AX is offering the only ceramics conference in Atlantic Canada.
Join us from October 3-6, 2024 for the second biennial AX Ceramics Conference: Sustainable Practices, featuring speakers Elizabeth Demerson, Tanya Doody, Jenn Houghtaling, Jim Kitts, Andrew McCullough, Nancy Oakley, Peter Powning, Elsa Valinas, and Michael Wood.
Your conference registration pass includes a welcome kit and activities associated with the October 3-6 event, including discussions, presentations, games, a Powning Designs studio tour, networking opportunities, and a live music concert. We will also provide a light breakfast and a lunch on both Saturday and Sunday. There will also be an optional sculpture workshop with Melissa Kennedy and a Fundy coast bus tour. Both of these events come with an additional cost.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, October 3
9:00am – 5:30pm
Optional Bus Trip $115
Studio Tours along the Fundy coast:
- Albert County Clay Company owned by artist Judy Tait
- Fundy Mud Pottery owned by artist Jim Kitts
- Tim Isaac Pottery owned by artist Tim Isaac
Lunch in the beautiful coastal village of Alma (Not provided, but a reservation has been made at Tipsy Tales for all interested)
Fundy National Park:
- A Park interpreter will take guests on Bay of Fundy beaches to look for clay deposits and minerals that can be used in glazing and discuss geology unique to the area.
Friday,
October 4
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Registration open all day
- Participating ceramists are asked to bring a handmade mug for a “mug swap.” Mugs will be used throughout the conference in lieu of disposable cups
- Staff will hold guided tours of the AX Ceramics Centre and sustainable ceramics group exhibition in the AX Gallery—Ceramics at Hand: Foraged and Formed
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Melissa Kennedy optional sculptural workshop
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Introduction to Conference with Peter Powning
- Panel Discussion: The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down with New Brunswick contestants Andrew McCullough, Elsa Valinas and Michael Wood
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Social time at Sussex Aleworks Craft Brewery
Saturday, October 5
8:00 am
Yoga for Ceramists
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Continental Breakfast
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Speaker – Elizabeth Demerson
11:00 am – 11:30 am
Speaker – Jim Kitts
11:45 am – 12:45 am
Speaker – Michael Wood
12:45 am – 1:45 pm
Lunch (provided)
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Speaker – Nancy Oakley
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Speaker – Peter Powning
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Speaker – Jenn Houghtaling
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Speaker – Tanya Doody
5:00 – 10:00pm
Rising Tides music event in partnership with AX and Sussex Ale Works at Leonard’s Gate
Sunday,
October 6
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Continental breakfast
10:00 am – 11:45 am
Ceramics fun! Group handbuilding competition
11:45 am – 12:00 pm
Closing Remarks
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch (provided)
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Optional visit/studio tour of Powning Designs Studio
Guest Speakers
Elizabeth Demerson
Saturday, October 5th – 10am-11am
“Flux Alumina Glassformer Feldspar Fritt, ceramics theory actually isn’t that complicated, there are just so many materials to remember! Now throw in the unknown of finding your own materials? I am going to talk about how to start searching for ceramic materials in your local environment, process them, and figure out how they fit into our theory and begin testing so you can create clay bodies and glazes to suit your needs.”
Elizabeth Demerson is the Studio Coordinator for the Ceramics Diploma program at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. She has brought advanced glazing technologies into the Ceramics curriculum, including glazes created with natural materials like rock and ash, as well as incorporating techniques like mold-making and decals.
Prior to being Studio Coordinator in Ceramics, she was the Studio Coordinator for Indigenous Visual Arts (now Wabanaki Visual Arts), and she started at NBCCD as a teacher in Foundation Visual Arts program. In the past she has taught in the public school system in New Brunswick and Alberta, at Keyano College and in the Fort McMurray Potters’ Guild.
Jim Kitts
Saturday, October 5th – 11am-1130am
“Embrace and sell the imperfection of sustainable local materials!
A look at ‘art’ pottery process, methods, and our final succession.”
Since failing retirement, I’ve been playing with Fundy Mud Pottery seven years, selling art pots at a farmers Market I helped put together; playing shakuhachi and rav handpan with passing children. Foreseeing I would retire again, I co-directed a youtube music video on processing Fundy Mud Pottery clay to help potters who may come in my place. Showed with the Conservation Council as a project artist, particularly enjoy playing music at art openings. I’m ending my public pottery to build new kilns, equipment to test local ceramic materials – returning to my prospecting and construction days and ways. (Still hope to make one good tea bowl.)
Michael Wood
Saturday, October 5th – 1145am-1245pm
“Michael Wood will explore the intrinsic connection between ceramics and geology, highlighting the origins of our materials, the rock cycle, and various rock types and mineral compositions. He will discuss the geological sources of ceramic materials and how to identify common minerals. This session will emphasize the importance of geological knowledge in promoting sustainable and informed ceramic practices.”
Michael Wood is a passionate ceramist whose work integrates both human and physical geography, producing functional and sculptural pieces. His gestural style often showcases local geology, using a palette of black, white, and ecru to explore themes of humanity, nature, and connection. Michael has exhibited at renowned institutions such as the Gardiner Museum and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and gained national recognition through his participation in CBC’s “The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down.” He holds a certificate in visual arts and a diploma in ceramics, and he is currently pursuing a BFA in sculpture and painting at Mount Allison University.
Michael’s dedication to sustainable ceramics practices is evident in his ongoing project, funded by ARTSNB and the Canada Council for the Arts, where he collaborates with a geologist to deepen his understanding of New Brunswick’s geology. This research aims to help ceramists utilize local geological resources more sustainably. Michael’s expertise in glaze chemistry further enhances his ability to create eco-friendly and locally sourced ceramic material.
Nancy Oakley
Saturday, October 5th – 145pm-245pm
Nancy E. Oakley is a first nations artist of Wampanoag and Mi’kmaq descent living and working on the Eskasoni First Nation reserve in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. She is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she studied photography and pottery.
After graduating, she moved to Nova Scotia and studied for a year at the Nova Scotia School of Art and Design, taking courses in photography, ceramics, weaving and jewelry making. Through softly curved pottery forms created by hand and on the wheel, Nancy creates culturally significant pieces that imbue her spiritual and traditional knowledge and honour her role as a mother. Her process is a collaboration with the land. Clay is harvested from mother earth and shaped by hand. Pieces are stone polished and smoke fired outdoors with fir tips, seaweed and sawdust, imprinting beautiful smokey finishes. Her pots are then adorned with traditional Mi’kmaq embellishments such as black ash basketry, beadwork, carved and or painted hieroglyphics and braided sweetgrass.
Peter Powning
Saturday, October 5th – 245pm-315pm
Peter has been active in arts and culture organizations for more than forty years. His work has been exhibited on six continents and he has an active studio practice producing public art commissions and gallery exhibitions. Peter is a founding director of AX, was on the founding board and vice president of ArtsLink (Arts Association of New Brunswick) from 2008 – 2012, on the Advisory Council of the NB College of Craft and Design from 2011 – 2015, as well as the New Brunswick Arts Board as vice-chair 1990 – 1991 and the Premier’s Advisory Committee for the Arts, 1987 – 88.
Peter is the recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for High Achievement in the Arts, in 2017, the 2006 Bronfman Governor General’s Award, and an honorary doctorate from UNB in 2014.
Jenn Houghtaling
Saturday, October 5th – 330pm-4pm
“In many ways Jenn Houghtaling follows a “Do less better” and “Use what you have” philosophy in sustainability within her craft by choosing to limit waste and use renewable energy, she will also speak on what sustainability means for her own wellbeing. “
Sustainability for Jenn Houghtaling came from her being raised in the deep woods of Northern B.C. where imagination is possibly the most important piece of life in that setting. When there is nothing for days, and all you have is your imagination, you tend to get very creative and the root of this creativity, “use what you have” has become a part of her moral compass.
A lover of all of nature, she has an often overwhelming awareness of the environment and the current state of our earth and has found many ways to address this within her own work. The pottery studio is straw bale construction, and through the net metering program, solar has been incorporated to offset all energy requirements within the pottery studio (and residence) including her plug-in hybrid car that is charged from the panels, and transports pottery to and from markets and galleries.
Beyond this Jenn goes deeper into the goal of sustainability within her craft by choosing to not have running water in the studio. At first this was due to financial constraints, but after awhile she realized that her awareness of water use and use of recycled glazes that become her “limited edition colors” makes her work unique. As well she chooses to request old newspapers from the local library, finds other businesses who order shipments that include bubble wrap and reuses many cardboard boxes for shipping items. A common theme for Jenn is to “Do less better” and she continues to find other ways to encourage sustainability within her craft.
Tanya Doody
Saturday, October 5th – 4pm-5pm
“Tanya Doody will discuss her journey in clay, talking through her relationship with the medium and how it values empathy, reciprocity and connection by touching on projects that centre experiential ways of knowing.”
Tanya Doody is an interdisciplinary artist who works in ceramics, performance, sculpture and video. Her work proposes strategies of embodiment through performative acts, poetic gestures and object making. Drawing attention to our sense of touch and tactile experience is way to reconnect the body to itself, its environment and to others.
Tanya Doody holds an MFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University in Fine and Media Arts, a BFA from University of Victoria in Visual Arts, a Diploma from Sheridan College in Crafts and Design (Ceramics), and a Diploma of Fine Craft (Ceramics) from the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. She lives and works on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lunaapéewak and Chonnonton Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum.
Fundy Coastal Bus Tour Studio Hosts
Want to start the conference a day early? Join us for a fun and inspirational day trip along the Fundy Coast. We will stop for a visit at Albert County Clay Company (owned by artist Judy Tait), Fundy Mud Pottery (owned by artist Jim Kitts), and Tim Isaac Pottery (owned by artist Tim Isaac), have lunch in the lovely village of Alma, and spend some time at Fundy National Park, combing the beaches for clay deposits and glaze minerals with a Park Interpreter.
Jim Kitts
Judy Tait
Tim Isaac
Since failing retirement, I’ve been playing with Fundy Mud Pottery seven years, selling art pots at a farmers Market I helped put together; playing shakuhachi and rav handpan with passing children. Foreseeing I would retire again, I co-directed a youtube music video on processing Fundy Mud Pottery clay to help potters who may come in my place. Showed with the Conservation Council as a project artist, particularly enjoy playing music at art openings. I’m ending my public pottery to build new kilns, equipment to test local ceramic materials – returning to my prospecting and construction days and ways. (Still hope to make one good tea bowl.)
An Albert County potter Judy Tait started taking the local clay seriously 1998. After her experience studying in Stock on Trent England, she was influenced by the connection of pottery being made where the source of material was found. The abundance of clay located virtually on her door step she was her inspiration.
Judy was blessed to have a husband who helped and supported her dreams. She had her clay analyzed, bought a 160 year old Hall for her Studio / Gallery. After studying the different ways of preparing clay for producing successful workable clay and she set up a system to begin her pottery business.
In Judy’s mind Earthenware clay was as an important a medium in pottery history as any other. Judy has revisited it and successfully brought its beauty to the forefront in her own way.
Making pottery and raku firing have been the core of my life for almost 40 years. While I got my start in Winnipeg and had studios in Ontario for 6 years, it’s in rural New Brunswick I chose to root myself in 1992.
There’s no shortage of inspiration and freedom to live a creative life living on the Bay of Fundy! My artistic career in both clay and music has thrived here. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to flow easily between producing functional pottery, making raku wares and sculptural art and commissions, and most recently opening my studio for raku, pottery wheel, and mosaic
workshops. I also welcome student and fellow ceramicists to fire and collaborate with me
regularly.
New doors continue to open. These include creating large community mosaics with many
‘helping hands’ and taking both the pottery and mosaic experience to school classrooms and special events.
My studio space and practice is entwined with my home and yard. I’ve cobbled together a
place that functions well for me and is comfortable to visit. Nothing fancy, but a labyrinth of quirky rooms and sheds used for different steps of my creative process and storing my ‘aspirational clutter’. It’s the right place for me as I strive to lead an authentic and creative life.
The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown Panellists
Elsa Valinas
Andrew McCullough
Michael Wood
Born and raised in Mexico City, Elsa Valiñas is a multidisciplinary artist trained as an industrial and interior designer.
Her work reflects the lively and diverse essence of Mexican culture, blending ancient traditions with modern influences. Elsa sees design as a core part of her identity, and clay is her favorite medium. Clay’s willingness to be transformed makes it a perfect medium to express the way she perceives the world. Elsa recently competed on national TV for the title of Canada’s Best Potter, becoming one of the finalists on CBC’s show, The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown.
In 2017, Elsa made Canada her home where she studied Ceramics at The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. After graduating, she moved to PEI to gain experience in production pottery. Now back in Fredericton, with her own brand called Clay Corazon, she fulfills her lifelong dream of crafting exquisite, one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces that seamlessly blend functionality with aesthetic beauty. Because functional can also be decorative, unique, and memorable.
Originally from St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Andrew channels his creative energy into pottery, operating under the name NU Ceramics. With 11 years of experience, he draws inspiration from minimalist Japanese ceramics, mid-century modern design, Scandinavian aesthetics, and the arts and crafts movement.
Andrew’s journey into pottery began after he left university when a friend invited him to sit in on an art history class at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. Enchanted by the medium’s romanticism and creative possibilities, he enrolled in a foundation year, exploring various art forms before discovering his true passion in clay. He further showcased his talents as a contestant on season one of The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down on CBC Television.
Michael Wood is a passionate ceramist whose work integrates both human and physical geography, producing functional and sculptural pieces. His gestural style often showcases local geology, using a palette of black, white, and ecru to explore themes of humanity, nature, and connection. Michael has exhibited at renowned institutions such as the Gardiner Museum and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and gained national recognition through his participation in CBC’s “The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down.” He holds a certificate in visual arts and a diploma in ceramics, and he is currently pursuing a BFA in sculpture and painting at Mount Allison University.
Michael’s dedication to sustainable ceramics practices is evident in his ongoing project, funded by ARTSNB and the Canada Council for the Arts, where he collaborates with a geologist to deepen his understanding of New Brunswick’s geology. This research aims to help ceramists utilize local geological resources more sustainably. Michael’s expertise in glaze chemistry further enhances his ability to create eco-friendly and locally sourced ceramic material
The panel discussion is included in the general conference admission. If you are not attending the conference but would like to join us in the AX Gallery for this panel discussion, please purchase your ticket through the link below!
Realism Sculpting Workshop
with Melissa Kennedy
Friday, October 4 – 12pm-3pm
Join Melissa Kennedy for an engaging and comprehensive clay sculpting workshop. Under her expert guidance, participants will have the opportunity to create their own unique sculptures. Using photo references, Melissa will teach you the intricate art of sculpting, covering every step from setting up your workspace to the final preparations for firing. This workshop is designed to cater to all experience levels, ensuring everyone can enjoy and benefit from this creative process.
Melissa Kennedy is a visual artist and art instructor that lives and works in New Brunswick, Canada. Her career began as a student at the Florence Academy of Art, where she learned traditional methods of sculpture and drawing.
Exploration is a large part of her current art practice, which has led to experimentation with many different mediums and techniques in both drawing and sculpture. Melissa has also participated in many local opportunities such as residencies in both Fredericton and Campobello Island, as well as an internship at the Sculpture Symposium in Saint John. Her work has been included in exhibitions both locally, and internationally in cities such as London and Barcelona.
When she is not working, Melissa also enjoys snuggling with cats, loosely following recipes while cooking, going for walks in nature, and visiting art museums.
Accommodations
If you wish to stay overnight on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, we have secured a discounted group rate at All Seasons Inn & Restaurant, (506) 433-2220 . It will be $135 per night and single and double occupancy are available. A limited number of rooms are available at this rate. To receive the group rate, book under AX Ceramics Conference. Rooms must be booked by Friday, September 20th.
The weekend is all about fostering community, with opportunities for networking, professional development, and making connections with other artists in the field of ceramics. We look forward to hosting you for the AX Ceramics Conference: Sustainable Practices, October 3-6, 2024.
Contact Emily at marketing@axartscentre.ca if you have any questions, or call (506) 433-8351.
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
