Living And Sharing The Potter's Dream On Long Lake

Jul 25, 2013

One visit to Water's Edge Pottery studio on Long Lake near Parham is all it takes to know that Sharon Matthews and Tracy Bamford are living the potter's dream.

The pottery studio they built on the shore of Long Lake was designed after they visited numerous potters in the area to find out exactly what makes an ideal studio. The result speaks for itself. The two-storey 600 sq.ft. studio, which is nestled on the shore of Long Lake, offers up gorgeous lake views and ample natural light from numerous windows and skylights. It houses all of the cutting edge pottery tools any beginner or experienced potter may need. A hot kiln is firing off in the kiln room and in the main work space are two electric wheels, a slab roller and loads of table space where creators can spread out and work independently.

The couple recently retired from their busy lives in Ottawa; Matthews as the former vice president of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Bamford as a hospital volunteer. They had the Water's Edge studio built in 2009 and moved into their four-season home beside the studio in 2011. Long before the move, both pursued pottery as a hobby for years while still in Ottawa, taking numerous courses at the Art Centre in Nepean where they honed their skills.

Tracy Bamford insists that they are not “art school-trained professionals”, but one look at the extensive line of wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery for sale in their immaculate showroom demonstrates that they are well versed in the art of functional pottery making.

“I like simple, elegant pottery that people can touch and use every day,” Sharon Matthews said as we were touring the showroom, which we accessed via a very cool spiral staircase from the upstairs studio. The work is microwave oven and food safe and includes large serving bowls, hand-built lanterns, mugs, cheese platters and many other items that are both highly functional and affordable, ranging in price from $5-$100.

The pieces come in a wide range of glaze colors that include a pale green “Kermit” glaze, an earthy “Randy's Red” glaze, and a “mysterious” blue that varies from a deep blue to a metallic greeny/brown. Other more graphic pieces like the bowls boasting inlaid maple leafs are painted onto a creamy white background glaze.

The couple also run various classes and workshops that last anywhere from a few hours to a full week in length. For the longer workshops there is room for students to sleep on-site, either in a two-bed bunkie located across from the studio or in a second lodging located off the showroom. Up to four students at a time can be accommodated and those looking for a creative holiday on the waterfront are also encouraged to take advantage of the gorgeous natural surroundings that include huge shady trees, a sandy beach and a dock on which are tied several canoes and kayaks.

On the day that I visited, I had in tow my nine-year-old niece and her friend, whom Tracy promptly set up at a table with two generous lumps of smooth white clay and numerous tools that kept them engaged for the duration of our interview.

Sharon was just wrapping up a week-long workshop for two local gals who were busy finishing up their own self-directed projects. Lindy was putting the finishing touches on her decorative “peace pipes” and Louise was sanding her garlic pots, which she made for her home-grown garlic.

Lucky for wannabee potters or for those just looking for a chance to work in clay, a big part of Sharon and Tracy’s newly found dream life is to share their little piece of potter’s heaven with other creative types by offering up workshops and classes at very affordable prices. For more information visit www.watersedgepottery.ca . To peruse their wide range of hand-made gift items visit their showroom by chance at 1004 C Public Beach Road or call 613-375-8343 to make an appointment.