for more information or to register contact Art Lab

email - click here telephone - 902-254-2972

instructor  - janet doble

Course cost - $285

Course fee includes all slips, glazes, and stains; the care of the tiles after they are finished; loading the kiln, firing the tiles, and packing them up ready for pick up in the weeks after the course.

class size - 7

experience level - Beginner to Novice

course description

In this 2 day course participants will explore a variety of clay related experiences: digging clay on the shores of The Bay of Fundy, near Diligent River, and then processing it to make decorative tiles. Instruction will be given on how to decorate the tiles using textures made from things found on the beach (sticks, wood, stones, shells, rope) and other decorating options, including stain, slip, and glaze possibilities.

 Please note this will be a somewhat physically demanding course, digging, hauling clay, and some hiking will be involved as we collect the clay and bring it back to the studio. Old clothes and sturdy footwear are advised. We will be getting dirty! Please bring plastic bags and buckets or backpack to carry your clay from the beach back to our cars. You can only bring back as much clay as you can carry for the approximately 1/2KM we will have to walk.

course details

Day 1
Meet at 9am at Art Lab to travel to Diligent River to the clay site on the shore of the Bay of Fundy. There we will dig clay collecting about 2 to 5 lbs per student. Bring a packed lunch to eat on the beach. In the afternoon we return to the studio to process the clay…wedging and removing any large stones or debris. This will be followed by a tea or coffee break and include a short discussion on tile making, and decorating to give participants some ideas to consider for their own tiles.

Day 2
Meet at 10am to spend the day in the studio creating tiles and decorating them. Tiles will be fired in the week following the end of the course. Participates will have to make arrangements to return and collect their finished, fired tiles. Tiles can only be held at Art Lab until the end of the Art Lab season.

supplies to bring

Rolling pin, paring knife, a ruler and or a square. Any interesting items with texture that you might want to use. All other tools will be provided and glazes will be provided

about the instructor

“I have been a potter for over 35 years. My work has won awards and has been shown in galleries and shops throughout Eastern Canada. Since retiring to Parrsboro in 2017, I have been working out of Art Lab Studios and Gallery and now here at my home studio. Here, I have been using clay that I dig from the banks of the Bay of Fundy, and in my work I have been exploring the rich textures and subtle colours that make up this dynamic and rugged coast line. While working as a potter in Halifax, I also taught pottery classes at the Nova Scotia Centre for Craft and Design and in the school systems through the PAINTS program.

 contact the artist email - click here

Cancellation Policy
If for any reason the participant wishes to cancel prior to two weeks before the commencement of the course, the full fee minus a 10% service fee will be refunded. Please note that there will be no refunds if the participant cancels within two weeks of the commencement of the course.