Legacy Studios

All good things come to an end. After much thought I have decided to end the apprenticeship program. The end of an era but the beginning of another!

I have a new project in the works that I have mentioned in a previous post which I think will be a great asset for the potters of today, and for many decades down the road. It is time to move my focus from the apprenticeship program to creating Legacy Studios. 

This is a huge project to take on, and to do it successfully I’ll need the help of the potters! My role will be to manage the upfront details, designing the space, overseeing the renovations, moving the kiln in, and so on. All the expenses for putting the space together will be covered by me. There will be three studios, a kiln room, and a gallery when it’s completed.

I am looking for 3 experienced potters with good web and social media presence that would like to be a part of creating Legacy Studios. 

The potters that are chosen will need to put together all that is needed to run the studios once the renovations are complete and we open, not a small job! 

I don’t plan on being involved in the running of the studios, the studios are to be my gift to the potters, my job is to create this amazing space and then step back and let the potters take it from there.

If you are interested in being part of this exciting project, please send me an email through the contact form.

I have to say that this is one very exciting project! It is going to be such an amazing space for the island potters with both studios, kilns and a gallery to sell their work. Presently we are beginning work on the renovation plans for the site which is home to the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce. The renovations will begin March 2027 when the Chamber vacates the premises to move to their new location at the historic train station on the waterfront. 

The Vision:

As you enter Legacy Studios, you will be greeted by a gallery showcasing the resident potter’s work. There will be three studios for the potters with one of them being visible from the gallery. The studios will not be open to the pubic but will add to the visitor’s experience of artisans at work. We envision a hive of creativity and an abundance of finely crafted original tableware as well as one-off pieces. 

Renovation work

The renovation of Legacy Studios will occur in two stages. The area that the Chamber of Commerce is in won’t be vacated till March 2027 but we can start work on the kiln room before then. The kiln room will house a Bailey gas kiln, model # FL DLX 34/22, that has been generously donated to the project by Harvey Abramson. We also plan to equip it with a, yet to be acquired, electric kiln and spray booth.

Gas kiln rentals

While the gas kiln will be primarily for the resident potters’ use, we plan on giving potters who are working full time at their craft the opportunity to rent the gas kiln so that they too have the option of firing in reduction. Gas kilns are costly and few potters have access to them; we are delighted to be able to expand the island potters’ creative ventures in this way. 

Clay sales

Purchasing clay here on the island is not always the easiest, and we want our potters to be able to source Canadian clays that aren’t readily available. To that end, we are in the process of becoming a distributer for  PSH clays and supplies.

Peter Pugger Pug mills

Aside from the renovations, we are also hoping to purchase two Peter Pugger Pug mills for the studio’s potters use.

Donations much appreciated

As you can imagine, this will be a costly project, and we would welcome donations. We will be setting up a go fund me campaign in a few months so that people can help us with the purchase of the pugmills and other equipment.

We will share our excitement with you and keep you up to date on the progression of things through our social media, stay tuned!

Potters helping potters, it’s a good thing!

Potterly yours,