Plan your visit to CLAY, offering a seasonal menu of fresh local fare in one of the city's most beautiful spaces. Try our newly-launched spring menu today!
Ai Weiwei is one of the world’s most influential artists and human rights activists, and one of China’s most formidable critics. Ai Weiwei: Unbroken features a selection of the artist's most iconic ceramics, and marks the international debut of new work. See it now!
SMASH: Nourish is a night of bold artwork, delicious cuisine, refreshing drinks, and invigorating experiences. The Gardiner Museum Young Patron Circle's annual art party sold out last year, so get your tickets early!
The Gardiner Museum is among the few museums in the world focused on ceramics, and is one of the most important specialty museums internationally. It houses approximately 4,000 objects, including European porcelain, ceramics from the Ancient Americas, Chinese porcelain, Japanese porcelain, and contemporary ceramics. Search the collection online!
Everyone can love clay! Become a Friend at one of the world’s great specialty museums and enjoy the benefits, including unlimited admission, invitations to exhibition previews and special events, discounts on lectures and clay classes, and more.
Ian Symons is a ceramic artist who has been called “one of the most gifted colourists working in Canada today.”
He studied painting and ceramics, receiving a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD), and an MFA from Alfred State University.
Ian has taught at Ohio State University, Penland School of Crafts, Sheridan College, and George Brown College. He has exhibited in Canada and internationally, including shows at Canada House Gallery (London, England), Prime Gallery (Toronto), The Clay Studio (Philadelphia), and Nancy Margolis (New York City). His work can also be found in several published catalogues and at the Museum of Civilization, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and the Gardiner Museum. Ian has received grants and awards in national and international shows.
One of the early leaders in the use of contemporary earthenware, he has a notable understanding and ability with clay. Ian is known for his striking forms and nuanced surfaces. His painted hand-built pottery draws influences from history yet is intensely personal. Using layered glazes and drawing, he addresses how surface interacts with form. Ian uses pottery forms, rich glazes, and fine drawings to entice one to touch the work and turn it to see how the form and decoration evolve.
Students have the option of exploring the techniques directly on pieces of pottery or working on experimental tiles, leading to surface treatments on future pieces.
Students have the option of exploring the techniques directly on pieces of pottery or working on experimental tiles, leading to surface treatments on future pieces. ...
Instructor: Ian Symons
Sold Out
Explore the world of planters, and make cacti planters, succulent logs, orchid pots, or herb planters.
Explore the world of planters, and make cacti planters, succulent logs, orchid pots, or herb planters....