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Hintonburg & Wellington Village
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FIND a place that sparks joy and clears the mind

Hintonburg Pottery and earthen vessels clay studio has been a growing community hub since 2012. Local potters and students are effusive in their praise for this welcoming little haven, and they’re not the only ones. In fact, a 2017 New York Times travel article called ’36 Hours in Ottawa’ highlighted this studio and shop as a place well worth visiting on Wellington West, which it dubbed ‘Ottawa’s “it” neighbourhood’.

Befitting its address of 1242 ½ Wellington West – cue the Harry Potter references here – Hintonburg Pottery is infused with a magical spirit that is sure to open your mind and inspire your own ideas.  Venture in to admire the pieces for sale, created by over 25 local potters. Enjoy the invitation to linger and watch potters at work, savouring their infectious delight.  Better yet, sign up for a workshop or class; they have them for all ages and abilities, and you can even book your own private pottery workshop too!

All are welcome at the spring’s open house on April 28. Birds are the theme this year and you’ll find all the info on the shop’s website. All donations will be given to the Youth Services Bureau.

With fantastic lighting, almost a dozen wheels, a slab roller and a dedicated glaze room, it’s easy to see why Hintonburg Pottery is attracting new people to ceramics each week. “We often hear that time stands still in here,” says Ginger McCoy, the talented potter who owns the studio. “As we gather to practice the time-honoured tradition of making beautiful objects out of clay, there is a pleasing rhythm that happily takes over and blocks out the outside world.” As Ginger likes to say, “This is the sandbox! Climb in, get dirty, create, and energize”

One of the guiding principles at Hintonburg Pottery is to create a welcoming space for all, making the space open to the community in as much as possible.

“We are honoured to offer special customized workshops for many members of the community who face various challenges where access to a studio might not be an option.  Clay is a malleable and forgiving medium to create with, it allows for self-discovery, perhaps healing. There is a joy that surfaces, a moment of pure satisfaction with self, peppered with laughter among supporting friends,” notes Ginger. “There is something very magical happening in here; it waits for us to enter and surrender to the joy of creating.”

For more fresh FINDs from Wellington West, check back here every Tuesday!

Keyword tags: WWBIA, Wellington West, Ottawa, craft, clay, pottery, studio, earthen vessels, creativity, community, handmade, gallery, classes, workshops