The Wheel Works Community Pottery Studio in Guelph is ‘fired’ up.
Celebrating the grand opening on Saturday at the location at 226 Speedvale Ave. W. is a dream come true for owner and ceramic artist Sheena Thompson, who is thrilled to share her passion of pottery with the community.
“The Wheel Works is about giving back to my community, to provide a safe space for adults to come have some fun and play with clay,” Thompson said.
“I think it will be a hopping place once people know I’m here, which is why I am really excited about the grand opening.”
Thompson began making pottery 10 years ago.
"My son is the fifth generation to live on Mercer St. When he’s old enough, he will be the fourth generation to go to Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute,” Thompson said.
“When he was young, it was the worst winter that I can remember. It was cold with so much snow. My husband knows that I am a very social person, so he told me to sign up for a pottery class."
And so, Thompson did.
“I met some amazing potters and six of us got together and formed Potter’s Space Collective in downtown Guelph. We shared a studio together in 2017,” Thompson said.
But when the pandemic hit, Thompson had to switch gears.
“My son was young and I had to stay home with him. And it was difficult getting around downtown with COVID-19. So, I established my studio at home and I started getting wholesale customers,” Thompson said.
“People have found me through social media, wanting to order my pieces.”
Thompson says she enjoys making 'functional' pottery.
“If I can make a piece of pottery that has a dual function, I will, just like my garlic graders. Those are one of my top sellers,” Thompson said.
“I have a chef’s background so that helps solidify what I would like a dinner set to look like. Functionality is key for me. But now, I am starting to get into the artistic and more sculptural side of things.”
Today, Thompson has her pottery pieces in galleries and various businesses across the province.
“I renovated my garage in November 2021 and by 2022, I outgrew it. So, I needed to think about what I wanted and how I was going to grow with my business,” Thompson said.
With 14 pottery wheels, two oversized worktables, an assortment of tools, a commercial sized slab roller, extruder and a rainbow of glaze choices, Thompson says there is variety for those looking for a fun and educational experience.
“When people come here, they can relax, and play with clay. It is more of a skill-based place here. We have pottery wheels, firings and glazings, all included in the studio membership fee. I offer Wednesday night workshops too, and those are really starting to pick up,” Thompson said.
“I’ve received a great response so far with people coming in who say that Wheel Works is a nice warm space. It’s very welcoming, and that’s what I was really going for.”
There was fun and games at the opening, a ribbon cutting with Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie, and a ‘pottery throw down’ with potter contestants and judging.
With a focus on community, Thompson has made Wheel Works a reality.
“This is my community. I just want to listen to my customers wants and needs. They keep coming back, telling me that they love the space. It’s a fun and happy place.” Thompson said.
The art of pottery is often described as therapeutic and relaxing.
“It’s Zen. That is the word for it. If you’re having a bad day, you can come in and have a moment of peace and make some pottery. It’s extremely soothing. It’s actually one of the top 10 best stress relieving hobbies out there,” Thompson said.
Thompson says she enjoys welcoming new moms and dads to her studio and would really like to see some seniors join in as well.
“This was always a dream of mine, to bring people together. I love clay and want to share it.”
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