50th Anniversary
2023 was the Guild's 50th Anniversary Year and included special activities to complement the Guild's annual events and celebrate our important milestone. We have been an important part of the pottery community in Ottawa since 1973. Our 50th Anniversary committee was co-chaired by Monica Rosenthal and Amy Bell, with Kirstin Davidson, Barbara Minish, and Natalie Gosselin.
A special logo was developed for the 50th and was used throughout the year.
The Guild's 50th year included these great events for potters and pottery lovers:
50th Anniversary Scholarship Program
The Ottawa Guild of Potters is pleased to announce the winners of its 50th Anniversary Scholarship! This community outreach project, a series of ten, $500 scholarships, provides funding for anyone wishing to further their education in clay during the Guild’s 50th year. Applicants from across our creative city impressed the jury with their work and their future plans for the use of this special scholarship. We thank all those who took the time to submit an application, who thought big and who dreamed even bigger. We look forward to seeing where this wonderful opportunity takes you!
The Process:
This Scholarship was open to people of all ages living in Ottawa during the OGP’s 50th anniversary year in 2023, or who were members in good standing of The Ottawa Guild of Potters at the time of application. Applicants applied under the following categories: Youth 18 and under, University/College student in a ceramics program, Adult working in clay currently, Adult seeking to work in clay and Senior 65+.
The Jury:
Hilde Lambrechts: Curator of Figureworks, Designer of Populace and Compass, notable juror, curator, and panel member in the Ottawa Visual Arts community, award-winning ceramic artist.
Kim Lulashnyk: Owner and Creative Director of Stone Manor Studios, award-winning Ceramic Artist specializing in creative contemporary sculpture and functional ware, past Communications Director for the Ottawa Guild of Potters, Director of Outreach and Communications for Populace and Compass. kimlulashnyk.com
Kirstin Davidson: Former President of the Ottawa Guild of Potters, Director of Populace and Compass, functional potter. kirstindavidson.blogspot.com
50th Anniversary Retrospective Video
January - February 2023: 50th Anniversary Scholarships: 10 awards of $500 each, juried by the Directors of Populace.
March 2023: Great Bowls of Fire 2023, raising funds for the Ottawa Food Bank
May 2023: Spring Pottery Festival and the 2023 Annual Juried Exhibition. Our Spring Sale, Annual Juried Exhibition, Pottery Demonstrations, a Throwdown, and more.
Fall 2023: 50 Pots in 50 Spots, a participatory event highlighting pots displayed around the city.
November 2023: Capital Creates, a curated Exhibition at the Ottawa Art Gallery.
December 2023: Holiday Sale and our closing event.
50th Anniversary Exhibition
Capital Creates is a celebration of the place/places we inhabit. What inspires us about where we live, work and create? Our communities, landscape, and meaningful spaces both physical and metaphysical will be our inspiration.
The exhibition took place November 2 to 12, 2023 at the Ottawa Art Gallery: Capital Creates