F.A.Q.
Q: Where is the studio?
A: 1688 Queen Street West Toronto Ontario
Q: Will you fire my work for me?
A: Our kilns are so full of our members and class work that we are currently unable to firing services
Q: Do you teach mostly wheel throwing?
A: We teach wheel throwing and hand building and we have enough wheels and table space for all students during class and open studio!
Q: Do you have Intermediate/Advanced Classes?
A: We Have a wide variety of classes at our Pottery Studio. Please check our class listings to see what we offer
Q: How can I reserve a private event at Parkdale Pottery?
A: Simply reach out to us by email. We will respond to your inquiry as promptly as possible! In your email, please include the following details:
- Preferred date and time
- Number of people attending
- Age range of attendees
- Workshop preference: Hand-building or Wheel Throwing (If the group exceeds 10 people, we will be doing both activities)
Q: What options are available if I miss a class?
A: If you are unable to attend a class, you have the opportunity to make it up by joining another class. You can choose to attend a class either the week before or after the missed session, or even within the same week if scheduling permits. It is important to note that the makeup class should be within the same session for which you have originally signed up.
Q: What should I bring with me to class?
A: You don't need to worry about bringing much as clay and tools are already provided! However, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing that you don't mind getting clay on. Additionally, please wear closed toe, non slippy shoes for the studio environment.
Q: I'm disappointed with the outcome of my pottery piece. Who can I reach out to?
A: We understand how disheartening it can be when things don't go as planned. Please know that we're here to help and support you. Pottery making involves numerous learning curves, and glazing, in particular, can be quite challenging. Remember to keep a record of your decorating process, so you can reflect on what worked and what didn't. We're here to assist you every step of the way.
Q: Why Are Pottery Classes so expensive?
A: Creating pottery requires a studio to invest in a lot equipment (kiln, electric wheels, tools, glazes, education and a skilled teachers time. Some may think lessons are expensive, while others will think the price of lessons are quite reasonable for what they get in return. Our equipment requires regular upkeep to ensure our studio runs smoothly.
Creating pottery requires a studio to invest in a lot equipment (kiln, electric wheels, tools, glazes, education and time. Some may think lessons are expensive, while others will think the price of lessons are quite reasonable for what they get in return.
Q: Is Pottery Good for your Mental Health?
A: Working with clay offers a unique sensory experience that can relieve stress and promote relaxation. Molding clay into desired shapes is therapeutic, providing a break from daily responsibilities and allowing for a moment of calm.
Founder and Instructor
Dana Dallal
Dana, the Founder of Parkdale Pottery, is an accomplished ceramic artist working in both handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques. Her expertise lies in surface design, where she seamlessly incorporates her fashion and textile design background. Her work is characterized by layered florals and botanicals, creating unique and captivating ceramic pieces.
Administrative and Marketing Coordinator
Alassandra Rojo
From a young age, Alassandra has always been captivated by the arts and would frequently find herself dabbling in a diverse array of crafts and hobbies. Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Craft and Design, specializing in ceramics at Sheridan College, was a natural choice for her. Crafting mark-making tools is her joy and she often uses handcrafted stamps to create floral compositions and blooming patterns on all her work, producing detailed, embossed surface design. No matter where she goes, Alassandra will always intertwine her love for the arts within her day-to-day life.
Instructor
Mariana Bolaños-Inclan
I am a Mexican sculptor based in Tkaronto. My body of work is based on the stories of where I come from and who I am as a woman and as an immigrant. I use references to pre-hispanic symbols and Mexican popular culture to represent these stories in figurative sculptures. Focusing on art with a social purpose, I work as a facilitator in community programs with children, women and newcomers around Tkaronto and the GTA.
Instructor
Emma Bickers
Emma Bickers seamlessly melds illustrations with substantial earthenware vessels, crafting poignant visual narratives. Initially drawn to illustration, she serendipitously discovered ceramics through an introductory course. Today, a recent graduate in ceramics from Sheridan College's Craft and Design program, Emma thrives as a full-time resident artist at Harbourfront Centre.
Instructor
Valentina Guevara
Valentina moved from Toluca, Mexico over a decade ago, however she still maintains a deep connection to her Mexican roots. She has earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Concordia University (2006) in Montreal, specializing in painting and ceramics. Valentina went on to further develop her skills while working at Mosaika Art & Design. After working for 15 years in Montreal and more than 9 years doing ceramics in public art, Valentina decided to move to Toronto, to work on her passion in a fresh new environment. She is currently working as a pottery instructor and studio technician, for several studios located in Toronto.
Instructor
Darren Cross
Years after graduating from OCAD University and earning a degree in Philosophy at the University of Toronto, Darren rediscovered his passion for the visual arts in the form of pottery. Darren’s earnestness and enthusiasm is evident in the style of his instruction and his desire to help foster a community of potters. As for Darren’s playfulness, he strives to embody an old adage: “maturity consists in having reacquired the seriousness one had as a child, at play”.
Darren currently teaches 2 hour wheel throwing classes and multi-week wheel throwing classes