The Dunes Studio Gallery in Brackley Beach, Prince Edward Island, features the work of two potters, Peter Jansons and Joel Mills.
Peter Jansons, the owner, is a second generation potter. He is a Toronto-born Canadian of Latvian descent who began his pottery career in his mother’s studio. He graduated from Sheridan School of Design and taught at Western Tech in Toronto before coming to the Island in 1978. He is the creative force behind The Dunes Studio Gallery and Café which is a spectacular space designed by Peter's architect father and surrounded by impressive gardens.
Peter’s long-time associate, Joel Mills, is an Island native and ceramics graduate of Holland College School of Visual Art. In addition to his work as potter at The Dunes, Joel teaches a pottery classes at the P.E.I. Potters’ Studio Co-op in Victoria Park, Charlottetown and is an avid sailor and cyclist.
Studio work has historically been signed in the form "Dunes PEI", "The Dunes" and "The Dunes - PEI" as well Peter signs some of his work "Jansons PEI".
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Lidded Jar by Peter Jansons, PEI - Signed "Jansons PEI" Collection of Catherine Hennessey - photo by Ian Scott
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| Lidded Jar by Peter Jansons, PEI - Signed "Jansons PEI" Collection of Catherine Hennessey - photo by Ian Scott |
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| Handcarved vase with Japanese kenzan, by The Dunes, PEI -- signature "Dunes PEI |
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| Handcarved vase with Japanese kenzan, by The Dunes, PEI -- signature "Dunes PEI" |
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| Wall Vase by The Dunes, 1990 PEI - Collection of Catherine Hennessey - photo by Ian Scott |
Wall Vase by The Dunes, 1990 PEI - Signature "The Dunes PEI" Collection of Catherine Hennessey - photo by Ian Scott
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In 2019 Peter Jansons and Joel Mills remain the two main potters at the Dunes, but others have worked there including Eve Llyndorah (formerly Eve Burden) who continues to make some pottery when she visits PEI annually.
The Dunes website credits Eve's role earlier in the development of the studio:
"Eve Llyndorah was born in Scotland and came to Canada when she was a child. She graduated from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and has continued to work as a jewelry designer and goldsmith in Canada and Europe. Eve was a key member of the original team of potters that was the early eighties at The Dunes. She currently resides on the Island of Llyndorah in British Columbia where she creates, with the assistance of her partner Ray Lipovsky, the stunning pieces of one-of-a-kind jewelry that are available in the Gallery. Eve has been an associate of the gallery since its inception, and The Dunes continues to be the main outlet for exhibiting her work."
A
video interview with Peter is a good introduction to The Dunes. As well an
article by The Guardian tells of how the business has evolved over time.
