Celebrating 50 years as a guild!
The Norfolk Potters' Guild & Studio operates a co-operative studio in facilities at 60 First Ave. West in Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario. We offer eight electric wheels, three state-of-the-art computerized kilns, a slab roller and a clay extruder. Adult classes are offered to the public and members enjoy a variety of workshops. There is a small library of books, magazines and DVDs on site which members may sign out on meeting days.
Experienced potters may join by demonstrating or providing evidence of proficiency. Students may register to become studio members after completing at least one level 1 class. Studio members have 24/7 access to the Studio to come in and work as they please. Clay must be purchased from the Studio and members may use any of our selection of over 20 different shop glazes. We encourage members to participate on one of the committees if they are interested in learning more about firings and glaze mixing.
The Norfolk Potters' Guild & Studio also has monthly meetings to discuss Studio business and may showcase a visiting artist or feature videos. September through June, General meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm. There are no meetings in July and August.
Guild memberships are also available for professional potters in the area. A Guild membership allows individuals to take part in monthly meetings, sign up for workshops, vote and participate in our twice-yearly sales. It does not permit access to the Studio.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The Norfolk Potters Guild and Studio appreciates the amazing support for fifty plus years of Norfolk County residents. A number of years ago it was wholeheartedly agreed by our membership to donate a percentage of our spring and fall sales to local charities and social agencies. Beneficiaries of our donations in past years have included the Simcoe and District Humane Society, Norfolk Pregnancy & Family Resource Centre, in 2022 we are supporting Purrfect Companions of Norfolk and the Red Cross Ukrainian Relief Fund.
For ten years the guild donated over 300 bowls per year to the Soup Art fundraising event held by the Norfolk Arts Centre. Watch in the future for the Soup Art event to be reimagined as a fundraiser benefitting the guild’s own programming. Members also individually donate their work to many fundraising efforts.
In 2010 Norfolk Potters Guild created the The April Maxwell Visual Arts Bursary for a graduating Visual Arts student who will be studying in a Visual Art program at a post secondary school following graduation. The successful candidate must be an enrolled pupil in good standing of a Norfolk County secondary school and planning on further education in the arts. The award is presented to the successful applicant at their high school graduation. The current bursary amount is $1000.00 and interested students may contact their secondary school guidance counselor for application details.