On October 4th, a beautiful, sunny fall Sunday, approximately 3,000 pottery enthusiasts descended on Mahone Bay for the inaugural Nova Scotia Pottery Market, which was free to attend and held during the 30th annual Scarecrow Festival. The event was the first of its kind in the province: a juried market dedicated exclusively to ceramics. More than 75 artists applied last winter, with a jury selecting 28 potters from across the Maritimes to participate.
We had no idea how many people would show up, but at around 9 am, an hour before the market opened, a line began forming outside the Mahone Bay Centre gymnasium. The line continued to grow, wrapping around Maple Street toward the Baptist Church, and lasted throughout the day.
For many of the participating potters, it was their best single day of sales ever. The turnout was a powerful reminder of just how much Nova Scotians value supporting local makers and buying handmade. For pottery collectors, we have always believed that potters are rockstars. For the potters themselves, it was a chance to feel just how much their work is valued.
One of my favourite parts of the day was seeing people purchase a handmade pottery mug and immediately use it to enjoy complimentary coffee or tea from local businesses Sunday Silence Coffee Co. and Spill the Tea Mahone Bay. There is something particularly meaningful for a maker about seeing your work being used and enjoyed. Throughout the day, live wheel-throwing demonstrations on stage also gave visitors a chance to watch skilled potters transform a ball of clay into a finished form, offering a glimpse into the time and talent behind each piece.
To everyone who waited in line, came through the doors, supported a potter, or helped make this first market possible, thank you.
We have big plans for next year and are already looking at ways to make the experience better and ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the market.
Follow @nspotterymarket on Instagram and Facebook for updates. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Mahone Bay next fall!
Morgan Sheppard
Organizer, Nova Scotia Pottery Market
