In January 1969, through the inspiration of Barbara Irvine, a small group of Burlington potters gathered together in the home of Trudy Hewitt to form the Burlington Potters’ Guild. Under the very able and progressive leadership of the first president, Jeanette Plumb, membership in the Guild continued to grow. Meetings were held in the members’ homes. The Guild passed its first milestone when the first exhibit and sale was held in May 1969, in Helen Schlumpf’s recreation room.

By the fall of 1969, the Burlington Recreation Department provided the Guild with its first headquarters, the basement of “The Pines”. At this time, three second-hand wheels were purchased for members’ use, and classes for members and the general public were introduced.

By the fall of 1970, Guild membership had grown to fifty, and again with the help of the Recreation Department, the Guild was able to move into larger headquarters at “The Maples”. In 1972, there were 100 members in the Guild; two floors of the Maples were in use, and the Guild owned a considerable amount of equipment. In May, 1978, the Potters’ Guild moved into a grand new studio in the Burlington Cultural Centre, with the Weavers’ Guild, Sculptors’ Guild, Latow Photographers, Guild of Art, Rug Hookers’ Guild, and Guild of Fine Art.

In May 1979 the Potters’ Guild had 100 members, 18 wheels, 2 kilns, ran approximately 27 classes, 10 monthly workshops and meetings, a juried exhibition, two sales, occasional educational workshops and had a library of 30 books. The Guild also had a “Permanent Collection” of approximately 20 pieces voted on by
fellow members as “best in show” pieces from each juried show.

Currently, the guild has approximately 100 members and continues to hold 10 monthly meetings per year, usually with a guest speaker.  We have two juried exhibitions, two annual sales and a variety of workshops each year. The studio space has expanded to include the Mezzanine, on the second level of the Art Centre which is used for lectures and meetings. The guild is a firmly established and integral part of the Burlington Art Centre and continues to promote awareness and appreciation of ceramic arts in the community.