Pottery Marks of Prince Edward Island - Carol & Ken Downe Pottery

Carol and Ken Downe's pottery was located in Rustico, PEI and operated under the studio name of Old Forge Pottery - having located their retail shop in a former blacksmith shop with their pottery studio in an adjacent heritage house on the same property.

Carol developed the business beginning with an early interest in ceramics as a hobby. Having lived in Alberta she and her husband Ken returned to PEI in the 1970's. Carol's interest blossomed through following the example of her mother who in retirement had just become a student at Holland College School of Visual Arts in Charlottetown. Carol registered at the college as well and they both studied under Barry Jeeves and Ron Arvidson.

Carol's husband Ken developed an interest in the business and retired early from his career to join her in the business - assisting in all aspects of the business with Carol as the primary potter. Working as business partners Carol and Ken were prolific potters during the late 1970's until the studio closed following Ken's death and Carol's retirement.

The Royal Gazette for PEI indicates that on May 24, 2002 that the partnership known as The Old Forge Pottery & Crafts, which had been registered by Kenneth G. Downe and Carol Downe was dissolved.

Their studio work was signed Downe - PEI. As well Carol signed some work with C Downe - PEI.

Pottery Marks of Prince Edward Island - Jeeves Pottery

Potter, Barry Jeeves along with his wife Joan, an accomplished weaver, arrived on PEI from Banff, Alberta in the early 1970's, so that Barry could accept employment with what was then called the Handcraft Training Centre and eventually became Holland College School of Visual Arts.

Barry was a graduate of the Ontario College of Art in Toronto and Sir George Williams College of Art, Montreal.

The family purchased property, and built their home and studios on the Brackley Point Road, with a retail shop for the summer tourist trade, and Barry teaching pottery during the school year.

When MS kept Barry from working full time, he continued to teach part-time and had a major influence on arts education in Prince Edward Island. When he became confined to a wheelchair he continued to focus his attention on an art form that required less physical ability. He returned to his painting, and would locate buildings which had both an elevator and a view so that he could paint urban scenes from new perspectives.

Both Barry and Joan maintained an active interest in the Arts. His art work was represented in Charlottetown by Details Past and Present Fine Art and Antiques.

Barry used a potter's mark a stamp with the mark "Jeeves P.E.I." he also used a signature "Jeeves PEI".

From the collection of Tom Banks

From the collection of Tom Banks

From the collection of Tom Banks

From the collection of Tom Banks

On May 10, 2015, Barry died. He was a true builder and left an enduring influence on the development of craft as a viable art form on Prince Edward Island. When he arrived he was one of only a few professional craftspeople on the Island; now, his adopted island has become known as a hot bed of fine craft and young artisans are able to pursue their craft at a professional level.

Barry Jeeves' favorite poem:

The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

Carl Sagan