This Saturday won’t be a day like any other at Les Faiseurs, a Little Italy cafe where pottery takes center stage.
Updated at 12:00 yesterday.
In fact, the entrepreneur Sarah St-Arnaud celebrates the fifth anniversary of its foundation together with her community, where you can sip a good coffee, enjoy a small dish or shape delicate ceramic pieces with your own hands.
For the occasion, activities will be organized throughout the day from 10am, including friendly competitions. “The idea is to have a pottery and coffee themed party to celebrate our fifth anniversary,” summarizes the entrepreneur.
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Little Italy coffee machines
bold bet
In the summer of 2018, the café, boutique and workshop opened on Boulevard Saint-Laurent north of Rue Beaubien. The concept was bold but seemed to meet a need, namely the democratization of hobby pottery. Today, not only is the company still in operation, but the area has actually grown since its inception.
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Sarah St-Arnaud, founder of the Makers
In order to comply with the social distancing rules imposed by the pandemic, in 2021 Sarah St-Arnaud made an agreement with the owner of the building to temporarily occupy the neighboring premises. But when the pandemic ended, the extra space remained. “When the situation returned to normal, we realized that there was still a demand for two premises. So we went from 8 towers in our main workshop to 16 total in the two rooms. »
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The Makers can count on a dozen teachers, including Oriana Ivaniuta.
Various courses are offered to the artisans, from initiation to the pottery workshop to full turning and molding sessions. The place also has a boutique area that showcases the creations of three local artists each season. At the moment there are pieces by Judith Dubord, Goye ceramics and La Haise.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
In the café-boutique area, we always exhibit the creations of three ceramists who change every season.
A passion for Emilie
About five years ago, Émilie Péloquin was looking for a new job to develop her manual and artistic side. Around the same time, she became aware of the crowdfunding campaign to open a new cafe with an unusual concept using pottery. It was enough for her to take part in said campaign and register for one of the very first sessions there.
Since then she has never stopped – or almost. After attending a few meetings, she eventually became a member.
PHOTO HUGO-SEBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
Émilie Péloquin discovered her passion for pottery.
We have free access to the workshop when there are no classes. We have our personal space with our equipment and can create what we want at our own pace.
Émilie Péloquin, aspiring artist
As the pieces are twisted and formed, new friendships are naturally formed in this community, she says. “We try everything, we also challenge ourselves to make bigger pieces or try different things. The fact that the workshop is well-established and adjacent to a bright cafe obviously helps keep those connections alive, she says, as one can stay there to grab a bite to eat or just chat about the pottery.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Performances by the “artists” of the Café Les Faiseurs
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Performances by the “artists” of the Café Les Faiseurs
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Performances by the “artists” of the Café Les Faiseurs
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And what do you do when you take your first steps in the world of ceramics? “It is certain that when you start, you do a little bit of everything and nothing. We seek our style through our experiences and our trials,” says Émilie Péloquin. But along the way, she has amassed a nice collection over time. “I also love gardening, so I try to make pieces that will come in handy with my garden supplies, like garlic pots or salad bowls. »
She will compete alongside other members on Saturday. Not only to blow out the five candles of his favorite coffee, but also those of his new passion!
A day of celebration
PHOTO HUGO-SEBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
On July 22 at Les Faiseurs we can learn about a potter’s wheel.
To celebrate the Makers’ fifth anniversary, there will be two friendly shooting competitions on July 22nd, first at 11am between teachers and then at 2pm between members and alumni. “We will have challenges like: the tallest piece you can shoot, the largest number of pieces you can shoot in 10 minutes, or even an eyes-closed shooting competition,” lists Sarah St-Arnaud, founder of the Makers. These sympathetic confrontations in the form of a show take place outside when the weather is nice.
The workshop will also have an instructor-led open house where participants will be invited to learn about the potter’s wheel. Each clay ball is available for $5 and new groups are held every 30 minutes.
The coffee area will not be neglected either, because in addition to pieces of cake and coffee promotions, there will be food as usual. A table will also be reserved for the production of a collaborative work, Sarah St-Arnaud continues. “People can come and paint ceramic tiles, which we then fire and make a mural together. »