About me:
Hi! I’m Sarah. I’m a 29-year-old budding potter originally from Ireland who’s been living in British Columbia, Canada since 2018. I am grateful to have called the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples my home for the past four years. My journey as a potter began when, as a child growing up in Ireland, I got my first potter’s wheel and would dig up wild clay from my Dad’s farm to fossilize insects. But I really began to focus on pottery in 2019 when I took my first class in Vancouver. I wasn’t “hooked at first touch” like some people. I found it frustrating that it didn’t click with me right away, but my own stubbornness ensured I carried on. Since then, making pots has brought fulfillment that I’ve only ever experienced before when I worked at horse stables as a teen. I’ve gotten to meet some incredible potters, including Vin Arora who is a huge source of inspiration and has never stopped pushing me to expand my skills and follow my dreams. I have a background in zoology and marine biology and am fascinated by the ocean and our planet. I hope to bring aspects of that into my work as I embark on this sure-to-be-amazing adventure with two incredible potters, Mary Fox and Cathi Jefferson.
Week 1 – A Winter Welcome!
May 2021: Over a year into a pandemic and feeling a little like Bill Murray trapped in Groundhog Day, I decided it was time to take back some sort of control over my life (even if recent events have taught me that seeking control is a somewhat futile endeavour). Without fully thinking through what I was about to say or even what the purpose of the call was, I dialed Mary Fox’s number and waited nervously as the phone rang. I had previously stumbled across Mary’s work and her legacy project while searching for pottery development opportunities and was immediately struck by the beauty of her planetary and oceanic-inspired pieces in particular.
She answered! What now? I clumsily asked whether she needed an assistant, to which Mary replied that she already had one. Well, that was that! We ended the short but pleasant call and I got up to brush it off, take a breath and make some tea. I headed back to my desk where, to my surprise, a voicemail from none other than Ms. Fox was waiting for me, requesting that I send some photos of my work.
Low and behold the stars aligned and…cut to January 6th, 2022. I find myself sitting in a snow-covered cabin on Cathi Jefferson’s property and can hardly believe my luck! Not only am I starting a two-year pottery apprenticeship program with Mary Fox, but I also get to share my time with the incredible Cathi Jefferson, known for her nature-inspired soda fired work. Added bonus… I get to live in a secluded cabin beside the Cowichan River on Vancouver Island with my two cats Soup and Bella.
My first week brings to mind the Yiddish proverb “We plan, God laughs” (although I prefer to think about “God” not in the traditional sense, but rather as Mother Nature). There has been unusually heavy snow for B.C., preventing me from getting to Ladysmith to begin potting with Mary, and the new Omicron Covid variant has been sweeping through and appearing to target those who have managed to stay free of the virus thus far. But I haven’t been sitting idle! I’ve spent my time helping Cathi shovel snow from the quaint paths that wind through her presently hidden native garden, mix glazes at her community studio project, The Clay Hub, and drive cats up and down the countryside for vet visits. My suitcase remains unpacked, and apparently I will do anything to avoid putting away clothes, including writing this blog! Cathi has shown me immense kindness since my arrival, has ensured my nutritional needs are met, and introduced me to the neighbourhood. My heart feels full, and I think I might find the community here, after all, that I’ve been searching for in the city.
That’s all for now, An eager young potter praying for the snow (beautiful as it is) to melt
