Pottery conference takes shape in the Bay

Potter Robin Hopper demonstrates his technique for making a clay handle Sunday afternoon at Canadore College. (Photo by Bill Tremblay)

Canadore College fired up its kiln this weekend, to welcome pottery enthusiasts from all over Ontario.

Potters gathered at 100 College drive for the annual conference of Fusion, which is a provincial association formed for the makers of handmade clay and glass pottery.

“We are basically potters, glass blowers, some professionals, some hobbyists and some students,” Susan Card, Conference Organizer for Fusion explained.

“Fusion is a variety of people, everyone that is interested in making things, by hand, out of clay or glass.”

Card explained Fusion chose North Bay for their 2006 conference because Canadore College offered to be the Host. Also, Keith Campbell, a renowned potter in Canada, is a professor at Canadore.

“The College sponsored a wonderful group of aboriginal dancers and drummers for Saturday night’s entertainment,” Card said.

The conference also included over a dozen workshops on various techniques of pottery. As well, on Sunday afternoon, potter Robin Hopper held a demonstration in the Weaver Auditorium.

Card explained, that when it come to pottery, Hopper in the ace in the deck.

“He is definitely one of the top, if not the top potter in Canada,” Card said.

Hopper, who has pottery studios in both Canada and England, is known for setting up the Ceramics and Glass Department at Georgian College, in Barrie. He is also the first recipient of the Bronfman Award, Canada’s most prestigious annual award in the crafts.

Card explained that he is also known as an author, a maker of instructional videos, and is well known as a gardener.

“He is almost better known in the gardening community than he is in the pottery community,” Card said.

“So he is a very interesting person.”