New Beginnings: Embarking on a Pottery Apprenticeship

This year has been a whirlwind, with the most exciting news being chosen for Mary’s 2024 apprenticeship! The year started off slow, just returning to my office job after surgery. I was gifted a membership to The Clay Warehouse from my partner for Christmas which I was eager to use after several years of not working with the medium. It was like riding a bike, I quickly picked up where I left off years ago and hit the ground running.

Not too long after this, I was offered a teaching position and the studio quickly became my second home. After teaching for a short period, my mom returned from a trip to the island and said she had an early birthday present for me. She had visited Mary Fox and brought me back one of her mugs and a copy of her book. My mom raved about her time there, Mary’s apprenticeship program and excitedly told me to apply. It sounded too good to be true, so much so I almost didn’t apply! Over the next two weeks it was all I could think about, I went back and forth as to whether I should reach out. After sitting on it for two long weeks, and some encouragement from my partner I finally worked up the courage to send Mary an email, after all what did I have to lose! 

I was nervous writing my email, not wanting to waste Mary’s time. What if I wasn’t qualified enough? What if she never replied? I spent the next few weeks thinking this was the case, my nerves started to fade as I settled into the idea that I wasn’t a good fit. It had been almost three weeks. I was still checking my email multiple times a day, which is not something I was in the habit of doing, so a small part of me must have still been holding out hope. 

Mary had replied! I was overwhelmed with emotion. After composing myself, I prepared a reference and compiled some photos of my work. She was prompt to get back to me and asked to schedule an in person interview in Ladysmith. I spent the next long month not so patiently waiting to visit Mary, telling only a few people who needed to know about my interview trying to limit my excitement and contain my doubt.

All of my worries quickly dissipated when I met Mary and her apprentice Sarah. They put me at ease as we spent the next few hours talking about what the following few years would look like if I were to be accepted. We discussed the things I’d get to learn, the commitment it would take, and the reality of me moving to the island. The conversation was coming to a close and I was just thinking about how happy I was to have gotten an interview when Mary uttered the words: “So, I’d like to offer you the apprenticeship.” I couldn’t tell you the words that preceded that or the ones that followed as I blankly stared at Mary. It took everything in me not to cry or ask are you sure? I was beside myself and lost for words, I had prepared myself for every outcome except this one. I was filled with joy and I couldn’t wait to tell my family and friends my news. This came as a surprise to most but was met with nothing but excitement and support. 

This opportunity is something 10 year old me could have never imagined when making my first pinch pot. My journey as a potter began at a young age learning the basics of hand building quickly followed by my first throwing class, where I instantly fell in love. Like Mary, most of my experience was through highschool. Followed by a few classes at the local art gallery after I graduated. From my first teachers Clive Tucker and Mike McElgunn to the newer ones, the learning will never end and it’s the reason the pottery community is so unique. The support from potters like Courtney Brewer, Scott Pierce and Anisa Etemadi (among other greats), continues to add to my confidence as I navigate through this vast industry.

This year has brought about so much change and I can’t wait to see what the next few years has to offer, eager to take in every minute I spend learning from Mary. Developing a style, creating a cohesive line of work, and experimenting with glazes are a few, of a long list of things I am looking forward to. For now, finishing her book, watching her videos and taking advantage of my last little bit of studio time is all I can do to prepare! I have butterflies writing this as it’s becoming more real. The next few months will go by in a heartbeat and very soon I will be a small island potter giving you an update on her crazy two years.