Our Educators
The Donn Zver School of Pottery offers classes in many areas in the art of Pottery making. The Educators of the school have been selected for their dedication and vast knowledge of our craft. Each educator has his or her strengths in the craft of Pottery making and in visual arts and will guide you through your journey here at the school.
It is the belief of the school that we do not only learn to make Pottery. We work on making a better person. We do this by offering students complimentary classes in yoga and mindful meditation. This helps in developing the whole person, the mind, heart, and hand.
LEAD POTTER
Donn Zver
Donn Zver was born in Millgrove, ON in 1948, and in 1967 entered Sheridan College of School of Design where he studied the Art of Pottery. In 1971 he studied at the world-famous Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. Donn became the first Canadian Potter to teach ...more
at the prestigious Penland School of Crafts. Donn has lectured across Canada, including the Banff School of Art and Design, The Nova Scotia School of Design, Holland School in Prince Edward Island, Haliburton School in Ontario, Mohawk College Saltfleet Campus where he established the Pottery Studio in 1971. Dundas Valley School of Art where he built the first Gas Fired Kiln at the School.
EDUCATOR
Judy Dean
Over 45 years ago, Judy Dean started her career studying at Mohawk College in Brantford. There she developed her skills as a potter and now has a great reputation in the craft of Pottery making. Being a three-dimensional artist the texture, form, and function of each ...more
piece of pottery is very important to her development. As Judy says, "Whether sitting on the mantel or in a cupboard waiting to be used, pottery can bring a warm feeling to your soul." Pottery is both decorative and functional and will last a lifetime.
EDUCATOR
Nancy Redwood
My journey in clay began in the early ’80s. At that time I worked in the Activity Department at the John Noble Home in Brantford. As Craft Room Coordinator I ran an extensive ceramic program with the use of molds, slip clay, and firing. In 1991, I enrolled in the ceramic ...more
program at Mohawk College in Brantford where I continued my studies through the advanced courses. A member and Past President of the Brantford Potters Guild; member of the Hamilton and Region Potters Guild and a member of Fusion. My main focus is functional work. However, I do like to dabble in both Raku and Pit Firing. For the past 6 years, I have been very fortunate to be working as an assistant to my good friend Donn Zver. A truly amazing and fun experience! Pottery to me is the never-ending story of love and learning.
EDUCATOR
Roberta Schmidt
Roberta has been an instructor for 31 years for the City of St. Catharines and Boys and Girls Club Member of the Potters Guild of Hamilton and Region Visual Arts at Mohawk and Fleming College. Additional credit courses are taken and taught in my summer courses: Crystalline, ...more
Raku, Alternate firing, Salt firing, woodfire, luster and piercing, Obvara, Single fire.
EDUCATOR
Donna Thomson
Donna Thomson is a second-generation potter. She works with a variety of clays but her passion lies in alternate firing, raku, wood, and smoke. Her work is influenced by nature - birds and fish being frequent themes. Member of the Potters' Guild of Hamilton ...more
and Region and the Brantford Potters Guild. Studied at Mohawk College Salt Fleet and Brantford campuses, Halliburton School of Art and DVSA.
EDUCATOR
Monika Schaefer
Monika has been playing with clay for 23+ years and has yet to get bored with all that clay has to offer! She has been teaching pottery for over 15 years, including at the Oakville Art Society and workshops in her own studio, and is excited to be part of the Donn Zver ...more
School of Pottery educator team! She is an active member of the Burlington Potters’ Guild as well as the Hamilton Potters Guild and participates in their sales. She has given workshops to various other Potters’ Guilds in Ontario, including Kawartha, Brantford, Mississauga, and others. Her work has been sold worldwide.
EDUCATOR, YOGA, MINDFUL MEDITATION
Renee Moor
Living life from truth and love is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others. I am very grateful that my gifts and calling have been to work with others, leading them to their passion and purpose in this life. I have worked within our community for ...more
over 20 years as a therapist, now specializing in conscious practices. I integrate my education as a Buddhist Psychotherapist, Usui Reiki Master, Yoga Nidra Meditation Teacher, and Yoga Teacher to create a practice that encourages students to deepen their connection within.
EDUCATOR, GLAZE THEORY
Gene Timpany
Gene Timpany is a London-based artist who focuses on the beauty of natural elements such as fire, smoke and light in clay. In combining these elements, Gene creates truly unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. He is able to capture amazing colour or sharp contrast in his decorative ...more
work. His functional pieces do not lack in intensity either. The element of Gene’s work is pure art, allowing the light to dance on the clay and tell a story through the images that it creates in the captured movement of the glaze. He is a talented and spirited artist who is deeply involved in the arts community in London and beyond.