EXPAND A Peer Mentorship Program led by Emma Smith

The Guild will be starting a new mentorship program in September led by Emma Smith.

This 12-month Peer Mentorship program aims to provide a supportive environment for artistic development and dialogue. Participants will dedicate time to expand their ‘creative language’, challenging themselves to: use new materials, tools, or equipment – develop more complex forms or work in a larger scale – deepen their conceptual themes or speak more loudly through their work.
Participants will explore varying new directions with guidance, encouragement, and feedback. In group and one-on-one sessions, participants will discuss inspirations, ideas, intentions and strategies. They will offer and welcome feedback, gaining insight into their own and others’ unique creative processes. They will share responses to ‘works-in-progress’, participate in constructive critique, and strengthen the habit of talking about their art practice. At the end of this exploratory program, participants will have an additional six months to produce works specifically for an exhibition, in Spring 2028.

Emma Smith is an award-winning ceramic artist and creative educator, whose multidisciplinary art practice centers around celebration of place, environment, and body. Recognized as a leader in the international woodfiring community, she has been making and teaching ceramics for over 15 years. Her work is meant to be experienced quietly, encouraging moments of contemplation and reflection. In addition to her clay practice, she is an avid long distance hill walker, kiln builder, dancer, and writer. Her many loves and interests have made for a vibrant life that provides endless inspiration and opportunities for expression - be it through clowning, circus arts, photography, cold swimming, or spending all day making pierogies from scratch. Her teaching ethos is grounded in self discovery, play, and finding moments of stillness amidst the chaos of creation.

You must be a member in good standing. Application doesn’t guarantee acceptance.
Proficiency in throwing or building is expected; this is not for novice potters.

The mentees are expected to commit time to their independent research and studio practice, to attend scheduled meetings, to share their experiments, to be open to receiving and providing respectful feedback. After the exploratory phase participants will produce artwork for a group exhibition, curated with the mentor. All applications are reviewed by a committee, which includes the mentor. Please note: Over the summer the mentor will conduct interviews with prospective mentees to better understand their expectations and goals.
The peer mentorship program will have no more than 9 participants.

Participation Fee $445.00 (tax included) payable to the Hamilton Potters’ Guild before the first
meeting. Retreat fee of ~$250 per person to be paid at a later date.

Applications: Accepted from July 1 to Aug 10, 2026
For details download the information sheet.
One needs to complete the application form, submit 10-15 images, statement of intent and resume.
Zoom Interviews mid August, 2026 / Notice of Acceptance by Aug 20, 2026

You can download the mentorship application form HERE and the the mentorship information sheet HERE