The Potters Place Gallery & Shop

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The Potters Place Gallery & Shop We have the largest selection of HAND MADE POTTERY on Vancouver Island, Comox Valley, Courtenay, Bri

We are a collective of local potters featuring 27 artists displaying a variety of hand-built and wheel thrown pottery. You will find a variety of firing techniques including high and mid-range functional ware, raku, pit fired, crystaline glazes, salt firing and ash glazes. Parking is available in a parking lot behind the Potters Place - entrance via the front door.

10/03/2026

We are so in love with these gorgeous pieces by Charlotte Schaufelbuhl, who is our Feature Artist for October! Pop into the shop to check them out for yourselves! ❤️

10/03/2026

Eeeee! How gorgeous is this display! Come check out
Kaitlin West’s Guest Spot at The Potters Place throughout October! 😍

✨ Guest Artist ✨We are thrilled to announce that our October Guest Artist is Kaitlin West! Kaitlin West Kaitlin West is ...
10/01/2026

✨ Guest Artist ✨
We are thrilled to announce that our October Guest Artist is Kaitlin West! Kaitlin West

Kaitlin West is a ceramic artist based in Parksville, BC, creating both pottery and sculpture from her home studio on her family farm. A lifelong creator, Kaitlin has been drawing since she could hold a crayon and sculpting with whatever medium she could get her hands on. Over the years, her creative journey has spanned digital sculpture, animation, painting, children’s book illustration, and the study of motion, gesture, and animal anatomy. Her deep connection to animals also led her to work in the veterinary field before receiving a Canada Arts Council Research and Creation Grant in 2025 for raku firing wildlife sculpture, which allowed her to transition into full-time ceramics.

Inspired by Vancouver Island’s wildlife, ocean, and landscapes, Kaitlin focuses on the individuality and character of animals, exploring the ways they reflect something human and familiar. In her pottery, her background in illustration comes alive through various relief carving techniques. Her work ranges from bold sgraffito using black glaze on white clay, to soft bas-relief designs carved into porcelain. She also brings carved linework to life by precision glazing detailed color directly into each section with fine-tip applicators. These tactile, drawn marks give every functional piece its own distinct narrative, warmth, and sense of life.

Kaitlin’s work will be featured at The Potters Place Gallery throughout October 2026.

✨ Feature Artist ✨We are excited that our October Feature Artist is the wonderful Charlotte Schaufelbuhl! Charlotte Scha...
10/01/2026

✨ Feature Artist ✨
We are excited that our October Feature Artist is the wonderful Charlotte Schaufelbuhl!

Charlotte Schaufelbuhl began her creative career in Switzerland studying folk art. She moved to Canada in 1969 and she started exploring clay in 1976 at the Surrey Arts Center, and later at the Vancouver Community Center. In 1983 she moved to the Comox Valley with her husband and began taking a variety of art courses at North Island College with emphasis on pottery. After a short break to raise her children she continued her art studies. She has studied pottery under John Paulson, Alan Burgess, Gordon Hutchens, Greg Daly and Robin Hopper.

Charlotte’s work is strongly influenced by her folk art studies and has a European flavour. She is constantly testing new ground. Prefers to sacrifice rigid design and controlled firings for the erratic and surprising results that reduction gas firings offer. She creates a product that is unique and a treasured find for even the eclectic collector.

Charlotte has built her own kiln and has her studio in Black Creek. She also belongs to the Comox Valley Potters Club and continues to frequent workshops with guest artists.

Charlotte’s work will be featured at The Potters Place Gallery throughout October 2026.

A friendly reminder The Potters Place Gallery will be closed Wednesday September 30th in observance for the National Day...
09/28/2026

A friendly reminder The Potters Place Gallery will be closed Wednesday September 30th in observance for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We will reopen Thursday October 1st from 10am to 4pm. 🧡

09/26/2026

Feature Artist Jane Murray-Smith’s pottery is so mesmerizing! We could stare at it all day! Come check out the last week of her exhibition at The Potters Place Gallery! Jane Murray-Smith Ceramics

09/26/2026

Last weekend of Leah Rosehill’s Feature at The Potters Place Gallery! Don’t worry, she’s a full time member of the gallery so her pots will always be available! But this window display is magical! Leah Rosehill

We are open today from 10-4 and closed Sunday. 🍄

🍂 Winter Hours 🍂We will be transitioning to our Winter Hours as of October 1st. Please stay tuned for adjusted Holiday H...
09/25/2026

🍂 Winter Hours 🍂
We will be transitioning to our Winter Hours as of October 1st. Please stay tuned for adjusted Holiday Hours for December.

Gentle reminder we will be closed tomorrow Monday September 7th for Labour Day. We will resume regular business hours Tu...
09/06/2026

Gentle reminder we will be closed tomorrow Monday September 7th for Labour Day. We will resume regular business hours Tuesday from 10am to 4pm. We hope everyone has a fabulous long weekend! ☀️

✨ Guest Artist ✨We are excited to share that our September Guest Artist is the one and only, Jane Murray-Smith! Jane Mur...
09/01/2026

✨ Guest Artist ✨
We are excited to share that our September Guest Artist is the one and only, Jane Murray-Smith! Jane Murray-Smith Ceramics

A few words from Jane:
Although I had taken two courses through the Nanaimo Pottery Co-op in the 1990s, my pottery journey began in ernest in with courses at the Arrowsmith Potter’s Guild in Parksville, where the encouragement and support of Algis Bubnys and Linda Reid gave me the confidence to leave my day job and fully commit to life as an artist.

In 2003, I joined a group of local potters—including Algis—to co-found Pyromania Pottery in Coombs. The gallery’s energy and success pushed me to expand my creative expression, experimenting with multiple styles and techniques. During this time, and for several years afterward, I also participated in exhibitions and sales through the Comox Valley Potter’s Club, as well as various winter and summer craft shows.

Today, my work focuses on three distinct approaches. Two are decorative techniques—Horsehair and Feather, and Saggar firing—which embrace spontaneity and the beautiful unpredictability of the firing process. My functional pieces are hand-painted, a practice I find deeply engaging and joyful. This direction feels like the beginning of a new creative chapter.

I am continually inspired by my husband and fellow artist, Christopher M. Smith of Glaskrafter Art Glass. We share both our home and Phoenix Gallery in Lantzville, BC, a space that reflects our shared commitments to craftsmanship, creativity, and artistic exploration.

We also share our lives with our joyful companion, Charlie, who ensures we all enjoy forest baths and rain showers on this beautiful island.

Address

180B 5th Street
Courtenay, BC
V9N1J4

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+12503344613

Website

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