It’s autumn and the trees are changing into a showcase of bright red, orange and yellow. It’s the perfect backdrop for the Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour, intentionally held in the fall so visitors will experience the beauty of the autumn colours in Muskoka while driving to see the artists at work in their studios.
Rhoni Clarke is new to the tour this year. The potter and her husband moved to Muskoka almost four years ago with plans to start a family and build a garage that included space for a potter’s studio and showroom as well as a daycare area for their future children. She is now mom to a three-year-old and a new baby born this past April, and is able to continue with her love of creating beautiful, functional white stoneware.
The multi-step process of throwing clay on the wheel and hand-drawing patterns, both before and after firing the pieces, is very precise.
Her newest works feature a birch tree pattern with whimsical leaves highlighted with bright and soft colour glazes on a white background. Clarke said this new design was created after she moved here and was inspired by living in Muskoka.
Living in Muskoka means deep breaths of fresh air and a gorgeous view out my window. I’ve always found Birch trees compelling and now they’ve snuck their way into my mind and onto my pots…
Rhoni Clarke, on her website
Rhoni Clarke at work in her studio (supplied)
Clarke is excited to join the tour this year. The Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour presents only the finest professional artists and craftspeople working within Muskoka. Artists wishing to join the tour are asked to apply to join and are judged by their peers on the quality of their work before they receive an invitation.
The Clarke Ceramics studio (supplied)
Clarke is planning to work as if it were a normal studio day during the tour. You’ll find the Clarke Ceramics studio and showroom at 1930 Lone Pine Drive in Port Sydney. The easiest way to get there from Hwy 11 is to take Stevenson Road 2 to Lone Pine Drive.
To learn more about Rhoni Clarke, visit clarkeceramics.com.
This year’s tour—the 41st annual—starts this weekend, September 28 and 29, and continues next weekend, October 5-6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
For a map of all of the artists’ studios participating in this year’s Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour, visit muskokaautumnstudiotour.com.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
How very beautiful. Talented lady. Welcome to Muskoka