Crafted with Experience.
Crafted with Love.
Arbutus Pottery Studio is run by Aaron and Winnie Price, two formally-trained potters living and making art on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Their love for clay began decades ago as students at their respective art colleges. Aaron attended his art foundation year at Cheltenham Art College in England and Winnie was at Emily Carr College (now Emily Carr University) in Vancouver, Canada. Their paths collided when Winnie went on a student exchange to Cardiff Institute of Higher Education (now Cardiff University) in Wales and ended up in the same ceramic studio as Aaron. They fell in love over countless cups of tea and biscuits and participated in many crazy student adventures, which proved them to be soul mates. They graduated with degrees in 3D design and then their life’s path took them on a journey from England to Canada and from Vancouver to Salt Spring Island. They now share a house with Rosie, a rather large and sweet bullmastiff, and welcome frequent visits from their daughters and many friends and family.
Aaron’s ceramic style is reflective of his appreciation of architecture and functionality. This is evident in the striking forms of his lidded jars and tangine bowls and in the distinctive ribbing that decorates his pieces. There is a thoughtfulness in the development of his work, whether it be the playfulness of the Alice cups, which are assembled from three separate thrown pieces and decorated with pastel colours, or the simple and elegant rimmed bowls which are a merger of two pieces. Any one of Aaron’s ceramic pieces would be a beautiful addition to your home.
Winnie’s handbuilt pieces possess an organic style which is inspired by the nature of Salt Spring Island. The seasonal flowers in her garden, the hazelnut and fig trees, the walks with Rosie in the woods, hills and rugged beaches are all vibrant influences on her work. Each piece starts as a realistic drawing which is transposed into a clay image. This prototype piece will continue on a journey where it evolves further and further into an abstract form, where there always remains an essence of the original inspiration.
