ABOUT
Proudly producing pottery in the countryside of western Quebec since 2014
Founded on the pursuit of authentic connection, our goal is to communicate through the natural forces involved in creating ceramics. The process of creating pottery requires the four elements interacting to create a tangible piece that can illustrate the cosmos, the ocean, a volcano or even vegetation. Our work strives to emphasize the beauty & elegance of the natural world.
Marie Drolet (Founder)
From a very young age, Marie was introduced to ceramics by her father, himself a ceramist. She continued her artistic explorations and studies in visual arts in ceramic studios in Ontario and the United States (Chandler Swain, Antoinette Badenhorst). She learned Korean ceramic techniques from Master Lee Kang-Hyo at Alfred University in New York.
In 2014, she launched Muraï Céramique, a community-centered Quebec workshop (Wakefield, Outaouais), which creates colorful functional pottery, and offers a wide variety of classes. The workshop brings together more than 25 amateur and professional ceramists, in a dynamic artistic community.
Since 2018, she has been interested in working with translucent porcelain, a material that she had the chance to explore during artist residencies in New Brunswick (Saint John Arts Centre), Gatineau (Maison Scott Fairview), as well as during research and creation projects funded by CALQ, SODEC and Culture Outaouais. In 2023, she founded L'atelier de l'Aube, a workshop manufacturing lighting and sculptural works in translucent porcelain, with her partner, Oleksandr Polishchuk, who arrived from Ukraine in 2022.
In her works, Marie is particularly interested in the intersection between spirituality and the act of creation, as well as the dialogue between intuition and intellect. Drawing on metaphysical philosophical reflection, theology and certain mathematical and scientific concepts, it questions the origins of nature, humans, their place in the universe and their interaction with it. The mysterious miracle of the manifestation of life, renewed every moment, is expressed through the magic of the ceramic manufacturing process, an alchemical transformation par excellence.
Hélène Sharp Co-Owner
Coming from a diverse lineage of artists, Hélène Sharp was predestined to pursue her own artistic path. From skipping school to visit the National Art Gallery, to first exhibiting her work at age 19, art has been the undercurrent in her life—and one that has carried her through each new endeavour.
While pursuing her degree in Photography at Concordia University, Hélène took part in multiple student-run arts organizations and worked as Gallery Coordinator at the VAV Gallery. Upon graduating she moved to the Yukon, where she animated both photography and pottery workshops at KIAC & Robert Service School. Under the guidance of Patrick Royle (Raven Pottery), her interest in pottery flourished and she began to develop her own style. And thus, Yarrow Ceramics was born.
Shortly after moving back down south to the region she grew up in, Hélène was presented the opportunity to continue honing her craft by the deft hands of Marie Drolet (Murai Ceramique).
Beginning as a teacher for the atelier and growing into the position of studio manager, she has drawn on her wide-ranging experience and her dedication to community engagement to fulfill her new role as co-owner of Muraï Ceramique.
TEACHERS
Véronique Caron-Bossé
Instructor
Introduced to pottery at a studio in Ottawa, most of Veronique’s progress was self-taught on her wheel at home. She now pursues her passion with Muraï Céramique, where she teaches a variety of courses across the Outaouais region.
Fascinated by the beauty and harmony of nature, outside of human control, she is dedicated to representing just that in her pieces. We therefore find the aspects of control in her work (trimming, sgraffito and glazes) harmonizing with the uncontrollable force of firing fluid-colored glazes.
Over the years, Véronique has become a leader in glaze production for Muraï Céramique. She is also the co-owner of the CHA YI tea house and has immersed herself in a variety of Asian cultures for several years. Japanese, Chinese and Indian aesthetics have played a key role in inspiring her work.
You can see her creations here.
Maude Levasseur Poirier
Instructor
A 2024 recruit to the magnificent Muraï Céramique team, Maude has developed skills over the last two years both in hand-building techniques and those formed by using the wheel.
Innovative, intellectual and passionate, Maude has proven that you can have both great manual skills and your nose in a book! Not to mention that above all she appreciates the inner journey that pottery forces us to take.
She looks forward to taking you on this journey
Ysabel Jetté
Instructor
Originally from Acton Vale and a resident of Cantley for over twenty years, Ysabel has rediscovered pottery in recent years under the guidance of Carolyn Pynn-Trudeau.
She creates in small batches with a meticulous approach, valuing the “perfectly imperfect” that makes each piece unique. Her practice is deeply inspired by the surrounding nature, integrating these elements into her shapes, patterns and colours.
With a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction, Ysabel has participated in over thirty solo and group exhibitions. Her passion and creativity bring charm and authenticity to her work and teaching, promising to inspire her students in their own exploration of pottery.
You can see her creations here: @atelier_potterysa