This page shows how a group in Canada made tiles for The International Potters' Path in Criccieth, North Wales, UK please use back on your browser to return to the previous page

Newfoundland and Labrador
In the winter 1999-2000, Al Sather (second from left, wearing green in the top photo) was in conversation with potters and clay artists around the world via Clayart, a Ceramic Discussion List on the internet.

When Al realised there were no tiles from or representing Canada in The Path, he contacted his local Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador.

That kicked off a whole train of events...

Laura Sheppard, at the Craft Council in St. John's, arranged a tile making workshop, where participants made four tiles each.

One was destined for The Path, one was sold to raise funds, like the cost of postage, one was kept to help the renovation of the studio and students could take one home.

Laura also arranged a Mother's Day workshop at the Craft Council Clay Studio at the Devon House Craft Gallery, where the public could buy tiles, decorate their own tiles and see what the project was all about.

The images on this page show the work making the tiles under the auspices of the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador in Devon House and these are the names of the participants who made a tile to represent their country:

Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Path Makers:
1116 Debbie Collingwood, 1117 Joan Harris,
1118 Al Sather, 1119 Rachel Dragland,
1120 Gillian Whittle, 1121 Verda Russell,
1122 Ann Breen 1123 Audrey Hurley,
1124 Christine Bull, 1125 Staci Barron,
1126 Jill Mercer, 1127 Sandra Furneaux,
1128 Darcie Cohen, 1129 Elizabeth Pratt,
1130 Kathy Burford, 1131 Margaret O'Dea,
1132 Bonnie Leyton, 1133 Martina White,
1134 Sonja Curnew, 1135 Isabella St. John
and 1136 Toby Rabinowitz

All the tiles arrived safely and are included in The Path.

The four single tiles shown here left were chosen randomly from the selection, but can also be seen in the tile mural made in the Clay Studio in St. John's.

When Laura sent this photo of the mural at the Clay Studio left it was a wonderful surprise to see Criccieth Castle had been the source of inspiration for a whole panel of tiles! May the Path Makers at The Clay Studio in St. John's think of The Path and all their work whenever they look at their Criccieth Castle on the wall!

Those who walk The Path will certainly be intrigued by the St. John's tiles here! And may you all be able to visit Criccieth to see the original Castle as well as walk The Path in person one day. If not the original Path Makers, their children and children's children!

Grateful thanks to everyone involved and especially to Laura for arranging all this creative activity!