YELLOWKNIFE GUILD OF ARTS AND CRAFTS
Meetings of the directors of the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts are held on the first Monday of each month. In the event of the first Monday falling on a holiday, the meeting is deferred to the following Monday.
Scheduled pottery open studio sessions operate on Wednesday afternoons from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm, Thursday evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Each session is hosted by an experienced studio potter who is available to answer questions, ensure that equipment is used safely, and supervise studio chores.
Participants are expected to contribute approximately 15 minutes of volunteer time to cleaning and other studio chores during each visit to the studio.
The fee for scheduled open studio access is $40 per month and must be paid online at the beginning of each month. Students enrolled in a pottery class may attend scheduled open studio sessions for free until completion of the class.
Scheduled open studio sessions may be cancelled during holiday periods or if a studio host is unavailable and usually do not run during the summer months.
MANDATORY PREREQUISITES APPLY
This hands-on decoration workshop with Beth Harden focuses on transferring images onto leather hard forms and working with Diamond Core carvers to create distinctive surface textures. The workshop will cover various techniques, including different methods for transferring images to your work, which can be used as templates for detailed carving or painting techniques.
The workshop will include a demonstration on how Beth takes freshly carved pieces to completion. As everyone may not finish their pieces during the workshop, Beth will also review how she manages pieces between carving sessions.
One lucky participant will be selected to receive a care package from Beth's favorite supplier, which will include samples of Chrysanthos Color Underglazes and Ceramica Transfers!
Instructor: Beth Harden (Beth Harden Ceramics)
Prerequisites: Current full studio or scheduled open studio privileges. Ability to independently make and trim pots prior to workshop. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: $130 (tools, clay and images not included; participants must bring their own carving tools or purchase Diamond Core carvers through Beth at an additional cost of $65 to $80 per tool)
Registration Opens: June 7, 2025 @ 9:00 amRegistration Closes: June 12, 2025
Are you a studio potter looking for a way to expand your skill-set at the studio? Come out and learn the basic recipes behind the creation of some of the Guild's most beloved glazes. You will learn about safe handling of the glaze materials and important steps to follow in preparing glazes at the studio.
Instructor: Olivia Hee
Prerequisites: Active scheduled open studio potter or full studio potter. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: Free as volunteer training for active scheduled open studio potters and full studio potters.
Registration Closes: July 4, 2025
Mandatory pottery studio orientation is required for all new and former studio potters requesting access to the pottery studio during scheduled open studio or full studio hours. The purpose of this orientation is to review Guild operations to ensure that potters are able to safely use the studio without supervision and are aware of the roles and responsibilities of studio potters such as clean-up and volunteer duties. All potters approved for scheduled open studio or full studio access must complete an orientation session before commencing studio access.
Instructor: Janet Diveky
Prerequisites: Approval from pottery representative after completion of Guild pottery class or assessment of prior pottery studio experience. Age 16 or older. Adult full membership.
Cost: Free for approved scheduled open studio and full studio potters. All other registrations will be cancelled.
This 2-evening advanced hands-on workshop is intended to help you push the boundaries and scale up your pots on the wheel in a guided and supportive environment.
The first session will focus on throwing techniques for centering large pieces of clay and making it into the form you want. You will be encouraged to throw more than one piece in the first class. Due to size of your pieces, a full week will be needed for drying before trimming.
The second session will focus on trimming large pieces and may include surface decorating techniques.
Instructor: Garry Singer
Prerequisites: Proficiency in throwing at least 2 to 3 pounds of clay on the wheel. Experienced full studio potters and pottery instructors only. Priority will be given to current Guild pottery instructors. Current full adult membership. Age 16 or older.
Cost: $75 (clay not included; must be purchased through Guild website)
Registration Opens: July 3, 2025 (pottery instructors) and July 9, 2025 (full studio potters)
Registration Closes: July 16, 2025
Are you a studio potter looking for a way to expand your skill-set at the studio? Come out and learn the ins and outs of clay recycling! You will be introduced to all of the steps involved in processing used clay and turning it back into useable material for more fabulous creations. This will include the safe operation of the pug-mill.
Instructor: Melanie Desjardins
Cost: Free for active scheduled open studio potters and full studio potters.
Registration Closes: August 1, 2025