Hundreds of shoppers attended the Brantford Potters Guild’s annual fall sale at the Woodman Community Centre over the weekend, from Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3, 2023.
The fall sale, previously known as the Christmas sale, has been running for over 20 years and is an opportunity for attendees to support their favourite potters, and discover a host of new-to-them ceramists.
With 41 artists set up around the centre’s gymnasium, there was plenty to browse and buy for the holiday season.
Buyers from both in town and out of town, took advantage of the sale to touch and feel the pieces they have been looking at on social media.
Many shoppers picked up mugs, bowls and serving ware for themselves, while others picked up holiday themed trinkets for family and friends.
Ginny Fawcet, a County of Brant resident, said that she tries to make it out to pottery sales whenever she sees them. The resident even turned her car around when she discovered that the fall sale was up and running.
“I found some good scores today,” she laughed. “I bought a little ring holder, a mug, and a musical themed plate for my sister.”
The shopper said that it’s the art of pottery that makes it special.
“Everything is so unique, and each piece is always a little bit different. It’s just a natural and beautiful kind of art,” she said. “When you think of the way people make these pieces and the time behind it, there’s a thoughtful process to it. I’ve also been getting back into trying to support local. Ever since the pandemic, I think people are trying to remember just how important it is to shop locally.”
On top of the many items being sold, for nearly 20 years members of the Potters Guild have also created a variety of “Empty Bowls” to sell at the fall sale.
“Our potters make and donate the ‘Empty Bowls,’ and they get sold for $30 a piece,” said Mary McDonald, a member of the guild. “The total funds from the bowls go to the Food Bank and once the sale is done, we get to bring the Food Bank a lovely cheque.
Louise Harvey, this sale’s featured artist, said that she was happy with this year’s turnout.
“On opening day, we even had a large line up of people at the register and it was snaking through the gymnasium,” she laughed. “It’s just been great and we’ve had a lot of people come through.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
