Emily Dunsmore - Studio Gallery, Victoria, PEI (and Countenay, BC)

 While Emily Dunsmore calls Countenay, BC home these days, her ongoing family and gallery connection to PEI remains strong thus I have included her as a Prince Edward Island potter. The daughter of Doreen Foster and Henry Dunsmore who are both visual artists and operators of one of the longest operating private galleries - Studio Gallery, Victoria, PEI. Her work include images derived from the magical imagery of her mother Doreen Foster.

Facebook Page Emily Dunsmore Pottery

Recent Pottery at Studio Gallery, Victoria, PEI

Video of recent work on YouTube

Pottery Marks of Prince Edward Island - Michael Stanley Pottery & Scorched Earth

Michael Stanley is a second generation Island potter, having grown up with parents Christine, a weaver and Malcolm, a potter who together operate Stanley Pottery & Weaving in Breadalbane.

Michael served his apprenticeship in the family studio between 1999-2004 where all studio production for father and son was signed Stanley, PEI along with the year. 

Opening his own business, Scorched Earth Pottery in 2004, his work was signed Scorched Earth PEI between 2004-2008. 

Most of the work was for the wholesale trade during this period as well as a certain amount of raku work. In 2009 Michael entered the retail trade when he opened his Charlottetown studio, first on Richmond St. and then relocated to 89 Water St. in 2011. He operated under the name Michael Stanley Pottery, which is currently (2023) located  at:

22 Howard St.

Victoria-by-the-Sea

Prince Edward Island

Canada

(902) 393-2339

Summer Hours:

Open everyday from

May 1 – Oct 31

Winter Hours:

By appointment from

Nov 1 – April 30

His Facebook page is called Michael Stanley Pottery and his Instagram handle is #michaelstanleypottery He uses a potter's mark that is based on a tree of life image he created himself.

Some pottery is also signed Michael Stanley Pottery.

His website is MichaelStanleyPottery.com

Pottery Marks of Prince Edward Island - Pieter Ijsselstein - White Gables at Hope River & Birchtree Gallery

Pieter Ijsselstein produced a line of items that incorporated his flock of hens in the decorating process. The video of his flock at work tells the story of  Hen Pecked Pottery. The hens are no longer part of the operation as Pieter's pottery has evolved.

Operating an art and craft studio in Hope River, PEI with his wife Geraldine, a painter and weaver - the combined family efforts operated under the name White Gables at Hope River.

In 2018 his potter's mark included the first two initials of his surname ij as well as PEI.

In 2022 they moved to Victoria-by-the-Sea where they reside and operate a gallery studio, Birchtree Gallery. Their Facebook page provides additional information.

In June of 2025, when visiting their gallery, I noticed that his pots were unsigned and asked why. He indicated that he stopped signing his pottery about two years ago, and considers it a production product with no need to add a potter's mark or signature. He indicated that he had been using a marker to sign the pots prior to that and he felt that it eventually wore off anyway and that he simply stopped signing them at that time.

Pieter Ijsselstein at Farm Days in the City, 2018 Charlottetown, PEI

Potter's Mark of Pieter Ijsselstein, 2018

 

Pottery Marks of Prince Edward Island - St. Clair Pottery

Harry and Dodi Morris lived in various locations on the Island and the St. Clair name came from their sojourn in the historic home - St. Clair House - located in the middle of what is now a suburban area in the Brighton neighbourhood of Charlottetown. As the oldest house in the area, it had extensive grounds extending through a full block, and had several additions to the original structure over the years with multiple staircases giving it the feel of a country inn.

To St. Clair House, the Morrises brought their love of Island sandstone, the native rock of PEI, and added what would become their signature renovation, added to each of their houses - a sandstone fireplace.

From Charlottetown they moved to Victoria, PEI which is well known for its quaint village atmosphere and the artistic community that gravitates there. Their Victoria home and studio, continued since the early 1980's to house various tourist businesses; an antique clock shop and currently The Studio Gallery have followed Dodi and Harry's lead, helping to make the village a special place.

The work of Harry and Dodi Morris made during the 1960's and 1970's carries the pottery mark of St. Clair Pottery - St. C. P., as well as P.E.I. for Prince Edward Island. Some pieces are marked St C H indicating St. Clair House. Each piece also has a unique number attached.  Often their work had a nautical theme and included slab built row boats.

Tree form sculptural piece by St Clair House Pottery

St. Clair House pottery mark - also individual item number as well as what appears to be a PEI Crafts Council sticker number similar to ones used in the Island Craft Shop which had been operated by the PEI Crafts Council during the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's.