Artist-in-residence offers pottery workshops
Anna Goertzen Loeppky admits that the title of “artist-in-residence” falls slightly outside of her comfort zone. However, that is exactly what the pottery-creator became when she felt called to explore her creative gifts as a way to bring the community at saint benedict’s table together.
“When I first started attending at saint ben’s, I was really struck how communion was the centre of service,” Anna recalls. “In the last couple of years we have moved to being digital, and so taking communion at home got me thinking about…those lovely pottery bowls that we used to share communion from, and thinking that it would be neat to come together and make our own pottery bowls.”
Anna is one of the 2022 artists-in-residence at saint benedict’s table, and she is set to lead two different pottery-making workshops for the church community this month. On June 12, Anna will lead a workshop for families at the 4pm liturgy service. She is looking forward to giving children the tools to make their own unique pinch-pot communion cups, saying “I love that kids are so creative and free with their creativity.”
Then, on June 14 at 7:30 pm, Anna will join the first Theology by The Glass gathering of the summer season, leading the group through a clay workshop while also engaging in discussion. “I find that for me, doing crafts and pottery… sometimes helps me to have better conversations, so I’m hoping some good things come out of our time together, while we make and discuss,” says Anna. She looks forward to both the workshops” “It feels like an honour to have this opportunity to step into this role and it feels special to share something that I’m excited about with another group of people.”
Anna’s love of pottery began about three years ago, with pottery sessions at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. She now rents studio space at Pottery Empire in the Exchange District, where she can often be found working on functional pieces that can be used in everyday life. Anna has attended saint benedict’s table for about six years and is drawn to the thoughtful prayers, peaceful music and the rhythm of the services - an experience she likens to the meditative experience of working with clay.