The clay-filled hands of Edmonton’s artisans are making a difference this weekend as the annual Edmonton Pottery Fair transforms the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre into a hub of creativity and community support.
Now in its 15th year, the 2025 Edmonton Pottery Fair has drawn record crowds, with over 800 visitors passing through the doors by Saturday afternoon. The three-day event features work from 52 local potters—ranging from established artists to emerging talents from local studios and community colleges.
“This isn’t just about selling beautiful pottery,” explains Miriam Choudhary, the event’s organizer and a 20-year veteran of Edmonton’s pottery scene. “Every purchase helps stock the shelves at Edmonton’s Food Bank during their highest-need season.”
The fair’s innovative approach requires visitors to either pay a $5 entrance fee or donate a non-perishable food item. Based on Saturday’s collection bins, most are choosing to give generously, with many bringing full bags of donations.
Walking through the venue, you’ll find everything from practical everyday dishware to whimsical sculptural pieces. Third-time exhibitor Jamie Lau stands proudly beside a display of earthy, wheel-thrown mugs with distinctive blue ash glazes that have become his signature.
“People connect with handmade pottery in ways they don’t with mass-produced items,” Lau tells me as he wraps a mug for a customer. “There’s something deeply human about drinking your morning coffee from something created by someone in your community.”
According to statistics from Edmonton’s Food Bank, November and December typically see a 30% increase in demand for services. Last year’s pottery fair contributed nearly 1,800 pounds of food and raised over $12,000 through a combination of entrance donations and a percentage of sales.
Susan Ramirez, community partnerships coordinator for the Food Bank, describes the pottery fair as “a perfect example of how Edmonton’s creative community steps up when needed most.”
The fair’s impact extends beyond immediate food donations. Several potters, including veteran exhibitor Eleanor Thomson, offer “pay-it-forward” pieces where customers can purchase items that are then donated to families transitioning out of homelessness through local support programs.
“When you’ve gone through hard times and finally secure housing, having beautiful things that make it feel like home matters,” Thomson explains, carefully arranging her collection of deep blue serving bowls. “It’s about dignity as much as necessity.”
What strikes me as I move through the crowded aisles is how the event bridges Edmonton’s diverse communities. Conversations flow easily between strangers admiring the same piece, and potters eagerly share techniques with curious visitors.
MacEwan University’s pottery program has a prominent booth staffed by students and their instructor, Dr. Eileen Chen. “Many people don’t realize pottery is both art and science,” Chen explains while demonstrating a glazing technique to a captivated audience. “The chemistry involved in creating these colors and textures is incredibly complex.”
The fair has evolved significantly since its humble beginnings in a community league basement in 2010. City Councillor Hannah Williams, who stopped by Saturday morning, notes that the event exemplifies Edmonton’s growing reputation as a centre for arts and culture.
“Events like this strengthen our social fabric,” Williams said. “They create spaces where commerce, creativity, and compassion intersect.”
Not all visitors come to buy. Retired teacher Martin Ouellet has attended the fair for five years running, not to purchase pottery, but to observe techniques. “I’m still learning,” he laughs, notebook in hand. “Someday I hope to have my own booth here.”
The weather has cooperated this year, unlike last year’s event when an early November snowstorm reduced attendance by nearly 40%. According to Environment Canada, Sunday’s forecast calls for mild temperatures, which organizers hope will bring another strong day of attendance.
For those concerned about parking, the Old Strathcona Business Association has arranged for additional spaces at the nearby farmers’ market lot, with a free shuttle running every 15 minutes.
The pottery fair continues Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a special demonstration by award-winning ceramicist Raven Swiftriver at noon. If you’re planning to attend, organizers suggest coming early—the most popular items sell quickly, and the food donation bins are aiming to overflow by closing time.
In a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions and mass production, there’s something profoundly reassuring about an event that celebrates handcrafted items while addressing immediate community needs. The Edmonton Pottery Fair reminds us that creativity and compassion remain deeply intertwined in the fabric of our city.
And if you can’t make it to the fair but still want to support Edmonton’s Food Bank, online donations can be made through their website, with each dollar providing three meals to Edmontonians in need.
