Sip and Pour event a success

Brenda Jones, left, and Cathy Kovacs pick out their mugs at the Station House Potters' first Sip and Shop event. The fundraiser was the group’s way of contributing to the Station Arts Centre. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

The Station House Potters first fundraising event is the group’s way of giving back.

Although the name Station House Potters might conjure up images of something out of the popular Harry Potter books and movies, this has nothing to do with Hogwarts, and is much more practical. Based at the Station Arts Centre, the potters are a group dedicated to pottery.

Held Feb. 7, the event ran from 5 to 9 p.m. For the $25 admission fee, attendees could choose a handcrafted mug, fill it with coffee donated by Tim Hortons franchise owners Christina and Mike Gazley, and then purchase pottery or other items from the Station Arts Centre.

“We wanted to give back,” said Karen Robinson, communications director for the Station House Potters. “The potters are grateful for the resources we have here in the centre.

The group has 48 potters. Kelly Ongena, who looked after the kiln, said all members tried to donate five mugs for the Sip and Pour.

The creation of a mug is no small task. To start, the mug must be shaped on the wheel in the basement of the red station. Then it has to dry, which can take one to two weeks. The mug then goes into the kiln. The potter decides how to decorate the mug, applies the glaze, and the mug goes back in the kiln for a second and final time. It can take three weeks to a month from start to the finished product.

Robinson said the group’s members were excited about the event and hope to hold it annually.

“It’s nice to bring the community to the Station Arts Centre because then they can see what they have to offer,” she said.