meet our artists, artisan, and makers
DICOVERY CERAMICS
I’m Brenda, the heart and hands behind Discovery Ceramics.
I’m a self taught ceramic artist living and creating on Vancouver Island, Canada.
I first encountered clay in 2018 and learning this craft has uncovered the joy of the creative process for me – I’m delighted that you are here to share that. What started as a hobby has led me on a path of exploration, challenge, and so much growth. Discovery ceramics was created along the way and my work exists to highlight beauty, simplicity, joy in the process and it’s an invitation to slow down and enjoy what is present.
My work is primarily wheel thrown and each piece is crafted thoughtfully, with care and creativity. The process of making things by hand reminds me to slow down and savour each moment and I invite you to do the same when you encounter my work. In a season where goods are mass produced and quickly discarded, hand thrown pottery feels like a rebellion, a thoughtful alternative that creates elegant, quality pieces designed to be part of everyday life.
In 2018 it was Ann Coleman who first introduced me to clay and influenced my attitude and approach through her own. I have continued my exploration of ceramics through a residency in 2019 under the mentorship of Brownyn Arundel. Both of these teachers have an significant influence on my work and I have much gratitude for them.
LUCY SCHAPPY
Lucy Schappy is a Vancouver Island artist who has been painting professionally for 20 years. After graduating as a Dentist and moving to BC she rediscovered her passion for painting. Eventually she traded in the drill for a paint brush and has been developing her artistic voice ever since.
Having an adventurous nature, her art path has been one of invention and exploration. As a painter Lucy is largely self-taught but has also studied drawing, painting, print making and sculpture through the Emily Carr Fine Art program as well as at other schools, studios and workshops locally and abroad. She is curious and loves the thrill of discovery which propels her to continue to reinvent herself, her style and her subjects which include figurative, flowers, landscapes, horses and pure abstract. She paints in many mediums but prefers oils for their richness, color and layering ability. Much of her work is developed over time, layer upon layer which adds depth, texture and history to the piece, as well as an element of mystery.
Lucy is known for her enthusiastic use of vibrant color which is joyful and optimistic. She is an award winning artist, has shown extensively in Canada and the United States and is represented by galleries across Canada. Her work is also in private collections around the world.
DOUGHERTY GLASSWORKS
“My work utilizes a mid-century modern aesthetic combined with a contemporary twist, and so is focused on making functional art pieces that make a statement. Hand-making each item with individual care and focus, I aim for our products to add a sophisticated and eye-catching polish to any space.”
BIOGRAPHY
The artist behind the designs at Dougherty Glassworks is Cameron Dougherty. As the founder and namesake, he has a true passion for glassblowing. Originally from California’s central valley, Cameron now lives and works in Vancouver BC with his wife and their dog.
Studying and working with glass has allowed Cameron to work in studios up and down the entire west coast of North America. However, the initial spark behind his lifelong journey with glass came over 12 years ago, while he was earning his degree in Business Information Systems at California State University Chico. After graduating he enrolled at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, followed by a 5 year apprenticeship in California.
Along with his own artistic development, Cameron is passionate about the growth and development of the glass blowing community. He enjoys training new students and apprentices and cultivating a love for glass in others.
TARA HIGGINS
“I have painted in some form or another all of my life. It is a process where I feel most at home and where my curiosity is always piqued.
In each painting I explore the evocation of mood through texture and colour. With blatant overlapping strokes and under mixed colours I aim to reflect the unrefined, richly textured landscape that is my backyard.”
BIOGRAPHY
Tara Higgins has a full background in the arts. At Clark University in the States she received her BA in theatre set design and scenic painting. She has had the privilege to study under K.B Hancock, a world-renowned landscape painter and to have been mentored by the reputed Canadian artist Angela Morgan.
Now residing in BC and Tara is strongly connected to the natural world around her; this connection is reflected deeply in her work. Her bold brush strokes and an intuitive sense of colour in her paintings become striking impressions of iconic Canadian Landscapes.
Tara Higgins’ work has appeared internationally in magazines, newspapers and television and is hung in private and corporate collections across the globe.
JULIANA REMPEL
“Growing up in Southern Alberta the influence of the Prairie landscape is strong within my work. Through sculpture, wall art and pottery my work focuses on the study of process and progression, exposing the accumulation of form and surface over time. My work is greatly influenced by the process of making within the discipline of ceramics.”
BIOGRAPHY
Juliana Rempel is a graduate of Emily Carr University in Vancouver where she received her Bachelor in Visual Arts degree. Following this, she attended Cardiff School of Art and Design in Wales, UK where she completed her Master of Arts degree in Ceramics. Juliana has had the opportunity to attend art residencies such as the International Ceramic Studio in Hungary, Fourwinds Arts Residency in France as well as here in Canada at Medalta International Ceramic Residency in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She has exhibited her work both nationally and internationally.
Juliana resides and maintains a studio practice in Bragg Creek Alberta and is currently teaching as sessional faculty at AUarts.
ERIN STELMASCHUK BIEGEL
“I have loved making these pieces, taking the fish that my family has caught, and making art from them! Each print is an original, and the fish were caught in Southern Alberta.”
BIOGRAPHY
Since childhood Erin has concentrated most of her time on creating art. Nature acts as inspiration for Erin’s artwork, travel fuels it. Subject matter remains strongly attached to her surroundings, what ever they may be at the time. Erin grew up in the lush environment of rural northern Alberta, and this is where her motivation has its roots. Now, having been in southern Alberta for the past 13 years, where the dry landscape is dramatically different she has grown to appreciate the term ‘big sky’ and the vastness of the prairies.
Erin has adopted the ancient Japanese art form, Gyotaku, originally fisherman used this technique to record their catches. A fresh fish is inked and rice paper is applied to it to reveal a fascinating print.
SOWHERE PROJECT
BIOGRAPHY
HILLFOLK POTTERY
“Ever experimental in my art, I strive to push the boundaries of my skills and inspirations to bring you a series of bespoke, functional and timeless wares that compliment our modern lives, while paying homage to the stories and imaginations of those that came before us.”
BIOGRAPHY
Kaitlin has been playing with clay in various forms over the past decade, first finding her love of working with the earth through her career as an archaeologist, before pursuing her passion for ceramics in 2017. Primarily self taught, her work is influenced by the historical patterns, forms and techniques seen throughout Europe before the dawn of modern ceramic production.
Her preference for darker, more textured and unrefined clay references the raw simplicity of pottery seen in the archaeological record, from prehistory through to the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. While the use of brighter glazes and images inspired by nature, archaeology and the human form bring a sense of modernity to her work.
UMBRA & LUX
“We believe that being surrounded by beauty is vital to our well being and that nature’s spectacle is an ideal source of artistic inspiration. We aim to create beautiful objects that respect our planet by using upcycled materials and the latest low energy LED technologies. We thus hope that generations to come can continue to admire nature’s beauty.”
BIOGRAPHY
The years Jean spent traveling across Africa, South America, South East Asia, and sailing around the Atlantic have helped him develop a deep consciousness of our fragile planet’s limited resources and sparked his passion for sustainability.
Claudine is what one would call a classic “Renaissance” artist in the sense that she likes to experiment with many mediums and is always looking to learning new techniques to expand her artistic vocabulary.
Claudine & Jean had the good fortune of meeting Hariomsinh, a creative and passionate electronics engineer. Hari brings a very wide range of technical skills and an insatiable desire to improve our designs.
The team members are artists, environmentalists and light engineers.
KERRI HOLMES
“I love the endless challenge that clay and everything to do with pottery provides. Clay is the medium through which I reach out to community and inwards, to create peace.”
BIOGRAPHY
Red stoneware reminds Kerri of the Nova Scotia mudflats were her family reunited every summer. It’s a warm and earthy reminder of humble beginnings. Kerri alters weel thrown shapes. Her signature white glaze is rich in titanium that responds well to surface textures.
She studies ceramics at Kootenay School of the Arts and Alberta College of Art and Design. She teaches worshops for adults and children as well as volunteering at the Fernie Arts Station in their pottery studio.
Kerri’s pots are for everyday service. They may be put in the dishwasher or microwave.
ZUZANA RIHA
“My love for art and nature have been two intertwined pathways throughout my life.”
BIOGRAPHY
As an artist trained at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and living in Revelstoke, BC, Zuzana is inspired by the amazing landscapes and wildlife within British Columbia, and tries to create connections between people and nature.
Zuzana is constantly challenging herself to create with new mediums. Found, discarded, and recycled objects are often the start of ideas for her creations.
Examples of Zuzana’s work can be found on Instagram @zuzi11_ or on her website, zuzanariha.art.