Disabled are Empowered by Practising Art

The holiday season is not that far away and these artists are rushing to complete their work. There is an exceptional and unique organization in New Westminster called PotteryWorks. Adults with disabilities learn to make quality pottery, paintings, and photography under the tutelage of professional artists and other helpers at a well setup studio. Their pieces are not second-rate, although there is a learning curve over the years for each of them. As the fall season approaches, a time when local markets pop up across the Lower Mainland, the artists at PotteryWorks have stepped up their pace a bit to get ready. There are craft markets, art markets and other venues where their work is shown and bought by many. For these artists, it is welcome supplementary income as many live on disability income, which provides a living well below the poverty line. As well, the organization has a small store at River Market downtown that is open several days a week throughout the year. Some of the artists get some retail experience by attending at the store. As well, they have an online store. This organization is funded by the Community Living Society and directed under the passionate and caring hand of Deidre Blackmore, who was the impetus behind the program 24 years ago. In this program, you will hear from her. You will also briefly meet two professional artists working there at the moment. A well-known Canadian ceramicist, Arlynn Nobel, whose personal studio is on Lake Superior and a visiting Gambian artist, Liman Saine, who comes from a lineage of potters in his home country. PotteryWorks has well-developed social media and several websites. Many of these artists are followed by people worldwide. By: Susan Millar, LJI Journalist Volunteer Interviewer, Sita Sahasrabudhe