I was desperate for something new and creative. Something that would get me out of my head, and out of my house. Port Hope is not too far away and, after a bit of online research, I found it. Time to hit the road! I came up over a hill and, to my delight, a sign at the crest pointed me right, leading me around the corner to a small garage tucked in between two red brick homes. The bright sign read “Clay Commons.” I smiled and hopped out of the car. Nicki and Amanda came out of the door smiling and waving. I was so excited.
An Invitation to Wander
As I stepped into the studio, the bright colours and open space instantly infused me with creativity. Ideas were bouncing around my head freely. As I wandered around taking in every corner. Amanda and Nicki introduced themselves and told me their story. I admired their journey of friendship, passion, and community. As much as small-town life is magical and peaceful, it is true that they often lack the “third spaces” necessary to foster deep community and keep us creative and inspired. However, Clay Commons offers all those missing pieces; it is a place to let your mind wander and your creativity run free.
The First Lesson in Forgiveness
“Clay is very forgiving,” was the first lesson I was taught before a slab of dense grey clay was plunked in front of me. It was a cube and, at that moment, it almost looked impenetrable – four sturdy walls with their clean, smooth edges. It stared at me. However, I looked over to my right and there was Amanda, breaking through the walls and letting the clay fill up her palms, tossing it lightly back and forth as she introduced our first project: the foundational pinch pot. She guided me through the first method with patience. My hands were now wrapped around the clay as well, mimicking exactly what she was doing. Roll the ball, poke a hole, pinch down the edges… and voila, a bowl! The clay absorbed my fingerprints and outlined my grip as my nails filled up with clay and the soft sound of piano and chattering birds melted through the studio. Slowly, her voice faded and my hands took over; the clay was familiar now, warm, pliable, and just as she said, forgiving.
Me and My Tomato Pot
The three of us sat around the long, sturdy table that filled the centre of the studio, talking lightly and slowly. Our eyes stayed fixed on our clay. Pinch by pinch, I acquainted myself more with this new creation, that was completely mine. I learned its cracks and bumps; I forgave its subtle imperfections, and I trusted that no matter how tight I pinched or how hard I pushed, it would forgive me. As my clay formed into a tomato pot, Amanda and Nicki were nothing but supportive. We giggled and gazed at one another’s pieces (I was amazed at their talent). I slowly fell into a trance, smoothing and adjusting, painting and squinting. It was one of those times when the rest of the world fell silent; it was just me and my little clay tomato. It laid perfectly in the palm of my hand as I chose the brightest red to glaze it with and smothered the smooth, rounded walls.
Get Your Hands Dirty
I got a picture with my tomato pot before saying goodbye so it could be fired up! Then I also said goodbye to Amanda and Nicki, the sweetest hosts who provided me with the perfect first experience in hand building clay sculptures. Not only did their creativity shine through their space and their work, but it also came through brilliantly in their approach to teaching and their welcoming spirit. Clay Commons was such an awesome space and experience. If you’re also looking for a way to get out of your head, out of your house, and into something creative, I highly recommend making time to visit. It is exactly the kind of creative sanctuary our community needs, a place to disconnect from the busy world, get your hands dirty, and walk away with something uniquely your own.