Co-op Highlight: Ella Mordaunt

We’ve had the great fortune to welcome our first co-op student to the Clay Studio Collective this past school term, Ella Mordaunt! Ella has been with us since February of this year, working alongside our Facility Committee keeping our studio running smoothly with studio tech, classes, public events, and children-outreach programs. 

Not only that - Ella’s fierce creativity has also had a huge impact in the studio! With the end of their program coming to a close, we wanted to chat with Ella and hear all about the projects they completed here, along with what’s coming next in their creative career!

Sarah: What has your experience been like since starting at the CSC and working with clay?

Ella: I knew very little about working with clay coming into this co-op, so have learned a lot in only a few months. My favourite part is glazing, excluding the fear of dropping my piece into the glaze and not being able to get it out. It is so exciting to come in and see my pieces have come out of the kiln. To be honest, out of all the pieces I have made, only two have come out looking how I expected them!

S: What various projects have you completed (or are currently working on) in the studio during your time here? 

E: I have made ten personal pieces, and I helped underglaze seven pots/vases for Plant Kindness. The one I am most proud of is the pot with all the flowers I made for Plant Kindness. My favourite thing to paint and draw are florals. I do it all the time at home, so it was cool to apply some of my old art to pottery, a form of art that is still very new to me.

S: You also made our studio custom aprons! What did you take into consideration when designing them?

The biggest goal was to create an apron that would cover potters' legs while they sit at the wheel. Some of the people here showed me their aprons with split legs, so I implemented that. It was tricky to figure out where exactly to the place the pocket, but after some helpful advice from Robin I found the best place to sew it. I am so proud because this is the first project I have made for people other than my immediate family and the first project I have put a tag with my name on!

S: Do you have a favourite or fun experience during your time here?

E: I really enjoyed talking to different people about how they make pottery. What glaze do use? What things have they made? It has been such a fun and interesting way to learn. I was homeschooled for most of my life, so this is how I have always learned. Talking to people, asking questions, and trying things myself. I enjoy it so much more than sitting in class and listening.

S: What other art mediums do you work in? Do you have a preference?

E: I love sketching, more than anything else. My favourite subjects are characters of my own invention and flowers. I average around 2-3 sketchbooks around a year, depending on how many pages there are. I love fantasy art more than anything. I also love photography. I have taken some incredible photos in recent months! I am also really into sewing and costume art. While not a physical art medium, I also love drama and music. I have played the violin the the past seven years!

S: What’s next for you in your creative journey?

I would like to do costume design in the film making industry. I have made so many costumes for my family and myself. Most recently, I made a costume for the Renaissance fair and I made my prom dress. If I could make costumes for anything, I would love to make costumes for a movie adaptation of the books, The Hero’s Guide series. Lucky for me, there is not a movie adaptation as of yet, so maybe one day! I don’t see myself making pottery professionally, but I want to make sure I can keep it as a good hobby.

Thank you, Ella, for sharing your creativity, enthusiasm and talents with us in our studio and wider community. We wish you all the best in your future creative endeavors!

-

In addition to their work in the studio, Ella also worked closely with the Athens and Area Heritage Museum to uncover local achieves, stories, and legends. Some which even have ties to our historic studio location, Athens United Church.

Read more about her Heritage Museum project here:

Brockville, Athens students join forces to preserve history | Brockville Recorder & Times

ATHENS MUSEUM | Athens/BCI History Website

Researched and written by Ella Mordaunt.