Submitted by Trish Weatherall

Special to the Record

Part road trip, part art show, part treasure hunt, the 34th Annual Denman Island Pottery Studio Tour is an adventure for pottery lovers and supporters of the arts.

This free, self-guided tour will get you behind the scenes where the art happens, giving you an opportunity to meet the artists and learn about their techniques and processes, and to explore beautiful Denman Island.

You will encounter a variety of work, from one-of-a-kind wheel-thrown, hand-built and sculptural work to tableware, to classic and funky décor and even some museum-quality pieces. Each potter has their own unique style, so you’re sure to find pieces to love.

This year features six studio locations and seven potters. Several well-known Denman potters on the tour list have been a part of the tour since its beginnings, 36 years ago, and for Bentley Le Baron, master potter, sculptor and painter, this will be his last tour before he retires.

• Bentley Le Baron’s whimsical and mythical creatures, classic functional pieces, and decorative creations can be found both in an enchanted forest outdoor space and several indoor galleries – a delight for adults and children alike. Don’t miss this final opportunity to visit Le Baron Studio.

• Gordon Hutchens, award-winning master potter, has been creating, teaching and mentoring for almost 50 years. Gordon’s work features museum-quality pieces as well as functional pots, vases, plates and mugs, some of which have been fired in his wood-fired Tozan-style Anagama kiln.

• Tom Dennis’ studio is on idyllic Lake Farm where he creates his signature square plates and platters, and mugs and vases.

• Shirley Phillips works out of the picturesque Lilac Sun Pottery Studio, located on the ferry hill in downtown Denman. Shirley’s work includes functional ware as well as nature-inspired textured pieces, from tiny pots and chopstick rests to vases and wall torsos.

• Jeanie Rogers works out of the Gilded Petunia Pottery studio (right around the corner from the Denman general store) where she creates an eclectic mix of earthenware and stoneware pottery, always experimenting with textures and colourful glazes.

• Patty Osborne will also display her work at Gilded Petunia Pottery. Patty works in porcelain and her lively functional pottery features textures and colourful glazes.

• Sandra Shaffer’s pottery features simple stoneware dishes, mugs, vases, bottles and teapots in muted shades. Sandy’s historic studio was once part of one of the oldest settler homes on Denman Island.

To take in more of the Denman vibe, we recommend these unique spots:

• The Earth Club Factory Bistro & Guesthouse for coffee, snacks or lunch

• Abraxas Books, for books, gifts, coffee and sandwiches

• Corlan Vineyard for wine, charcuterie boxes or salads

• TakeOut Near You for poutine, burgers or pizza

• The Saturday Farmers’ Market for a chance to mix with the locals from 9:30 to 12:30

• Fillongley Provincial Park, a great spot for a picnic and a beach walk

Schedule a day or the whole weekend for this art adventure, May 20 and 21, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Denman Island is just a 10-minute ferry ride from Buckley Bay, between Qualicum and Courtenay on the seaside route, or Exit 101 from the Inland Highway 19. Pick up your Pottery Studio Tour map from the Buckley Bay ferry booth, Abraxas Books, Gifts & Coffee Shop, the Denman Craft Shop or the Denman Island General Store.

Visit denmanislandpotterystudiotour.com to learn more about each artist and their work and to download the Denman Island Pottery Studio Tour Map.

Follow the Facebook and Instagram pages @denmanislandpotterytour for regular updates and glimpses into the Denman Island pottery world.