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INSTRUCTORS

Paul Stewart - Owner and Operator at The Pottery
PAUL STEWART

Paul Stewart began potting full time in 1985 following in his father’s footsteps. He has produced nearly a quarter of a million pots since then, ranging from small utilitarian pieces to large custom designed work. Paul makes pottery to sell at craft shows and a number of Ontario galleries and also produces work for interior designers, the movie and television industries, and many others.

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Paul began teaching in 1997 and has continued ever since. He instructs adults and children in his studio, in schools, in corporate and social service agency settings and has delivered advanced workshops for guilds across Southern Ontario.

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Paul Stewart is the owner and operator of The Pottery.

Beth Peart - Instructor at The Pottery
BETH PEART

Beth Peart has been potting since 1993 and has been a professional potter since 1995. She has instructed students using wheel and hand-building techniques at the Woodlawn Pottery Studio Cooperative, the Toronto District School Board General Interest night classes at Humber Heights; Western Technical School and Mimico Adult Learning Centre, and here, at the Pottery. Outside of the classroom her main clay interests are hand building and clay sculpture. Beth is originally from Welland Ontario; a graduate of the University of Guelph Fine Arts program and holds a Master's degree in Art History from U of T. She is also a maker of beaded regalia in Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean styles, and a maker and customizer of miniature horses and tack.

Karen Rushforth - Instructor at The Pottery
KAREN RUSHFORTH

For over 39 years, Karen has been involved with pottery as a studio potter and an instructor. During her time as a potter (1983-1992), Karen produced hand thrown, handbuilt and slip-cast ceramics in her studio on Dupont Street and sold and exhibited her work in various galleries, shops and shows.  As an instructor, Karen has run workshops at pottery guilds and schools in the GTA. Between 1984-2000, Karen was an instructor at George Brown College until the program was discontinued by the College. Since 2002, Karen has been an instructor at The Pottery.


Karen's inspiration has been consistent throughout her pottery career -the natural world of rocks, shells, driftwood and garden fauna. Texture is a large element in her work as well as carving, drawing and printmaking techniques. Her teaching philosophy  is focused on demonstrating and learning through hands on experience.


Karen holds an Bachelor of Fine Art (York University), a Bachelor of Education (University of Toronto) and a Commercial Ceramics Diploma (George Brown College).

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