It's that time of year again to announce Tara & her pots will be coming to the big city. Mark it on your calendars so you don't forget. Monday November 28th 1pm - 8pm & Tuesday November 29th 1pm - 8pm.

A few weekends ago I was invited to participate in a raku firing being held at a friends place. I have watched many videos and seen lots of raku work but this was my first hands on experience. It was glorious. I think the process of raku is right up my alley because there is SO much left to chance. The surprise of lifting the lid of the metal bucket after firing is such a thrill. I also enjoyed it because of the social aspect to the day. It started by carefully lowering the lid of the homemade kiln cover, lighting the burner, placing a pyrometer in the air vent to gauge temperature and then waiting about 1.5 hours until the pots reached temperature. During this time of waiting there were many questions to the experienced raku folks, glazing pots & putting them out in the full sun to dry, swimming in the lake and generally enjoying each others company with this shared passion of creating. After the pots reached temperature,(about 1650) different people were designated a job to make the transfer of pots .  With tongs each orange hot pot was lifted and placed onto areas on the ground where woodchips, straw, pine needles and other combustable materials lay.  Placing more combustibles on top and then quickly covering the burning pots with a metal bucket. This created a reduced oxygen atmosphere and effects the outcome of the glazes in many surprising and happy ways. I can't wait to try it again soon. Thank you SO much to those who made this incredible day possible.  

The sun was blistering hot this past weekend in Bracebridge while participating in the 49th Annual Muskoka Art and Crafts Summer Show. Luckily I had a shady spot like usual and many friends stopped by to seek refuge from the sun and entertain me. Thanks to everyone who came out and all the great artists I got to catch up with. See you next summer!

A few weekends ago I built this lake out of old plywood to bring to 11th annual Children's Festival in Minett.  This event featured hands-on arts workshops, performances by youth and professional artists, clowns, buskers, storytelling, face painting, etc. It was held under the Big Top at Minett Landing, beside Wallace Marina.  I participated in this event 2 summers ago and thought it was so fun I needed to return.  Kids sculpted things you might find in & around our lakes and left them for a collaberative project to be put on display later at Muskoka Place Gallery.  What a great way to kick off the summer! 

There has been lots of changes and upgrades to the Chetolah space lately. The newest edition is an eye catching sign up over the gallery doors.  Just wanted to brag a little cause I think it looks grand along with the freshly painted gallery doors. Other projects include a new coffee bar station with sink that was built from old dump finds & a lot of imagination. Come & check it out next time you're in Dorset. Iced coffee is in the works now too! I've been testing and retesting recipes to make the most amazing iced coffee for those hot summer days. I have an incredible feeling about this summer. Yipeeeee!

THURSDAY  1 - 4      Paint your own piece of Tara's pottery. Show up and choose from a variety of pieces including cups, bowls & plates.  Lots of inspiration is provided.
Ages 14 + Up

FRIDAY 10 - 12    Every week is a unique handbuilding project.
Ages 6 - 13

SATURDAY  10 - 12      Paint your own piece of Tara's pottery.
Ages 6 - 13

Contact Tara for more information about prices & private group offers.

This spring I got to work with some amazingly talented grade 7 split classes to create a project inspired by 'Images of Muskoka's Past'.  We went on a walking tour of parts of Gravenhurst including the Grace & Speed Boat Museum. Learning photography & photoshop skills and capturing images of Gravenhurst's history we then created clay relief sculptural tiles. Kaleidoscope organized funding and coordinated the artists, the teachers at GPS and the students themselves. As always....I learned lots & had a great time.  A more detailed documentation of the project is posted on the Kaleidoscope Arts in Education Programs website. What a great thing to be able to bring more art into the classrooms!    You can also check out an article in the local paper about the event here.

The wait is finally over and after almost 5 years of renovations......'All The Best Fine Food' is operating out of the amazing new space. Exciting news is that amongst the displays of gourmet food you will find Tara's pottery.  The only location in Toronto selling her fun + useful pots. Check out the great write up in Toronto Life Magazine!

An amazing turn out of beautiful people to the Holiday Home Show. Thanks to all that made it such a great success. If you are interested in joining in the fun next year, please send me an email to add you to the mailing list.