WATERLOO POTTERS’ WORKSHOP :

40th ANNIVERSARY

After a successful Centennial Art Show held in the fall of 1967 in Waterloo Park, the City of Waterloo offered to rent what was formerly the Park Superintendent’s home to any Art or Craft group who might be interested. The building is the original Jacob Eby farm home located in Waterloo Park. Dreaming of a “ Pottery Workshop “, nine enterprising local potters , including Ann Roberts, Theresa Schiel, Winn Shantz, Dorothea Tutte, Evelyn Buckley, Helen Keeler, Elsa McKeller, and Don and Roma Middleton , acted quickly and with little money, borrowed wheels, and one kiln formed a group called the Potters’ Workshop. The Community Services Board of the City advertised and registered the first class in Jan. 1968. In 1969 the group became incorporated as a non- profit co- operative known as the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop.

Classes increased and the membership steadily grew. In 1973 the membership stood at over 200. A gas fired kiln was built and the twice yearly sales of members’ work continued to expand. Workshops with Canadian and International Artists were frequently held. Extensions to the house and improvements to the studio continued , financed by membership fees and sale revenues. And a library was established.

In 1976 the first annual juried exhibition of members’ work called Earthborn, was held at the K. W. Art Gallery. In 1998, Earthborn and a Retrospective of members’ work was held at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. As a special 30th. Anniversary project, the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop commissioned the local artist, Kathryn Forler to create a clay replica of the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop.

Now celebrating its 40th Anniversary, the Waterloo Potters’ Workshop continues as a not for profit co- operative, providing studio space and educational facilities. The aims and purposes remain the same as intended by those founding members….to encourage an interest in, and a knowledge of, the making of pottery.