Image: Winnipeg Art Gallery
The Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq is adding a live ceramics competition to its summer calendar with the first-ever ‘WAG Studio Pottery Throwdown,’ set for Aug. 27 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. The one-night event will bring four local ceramic artists into a series of fast-paced creative challenges inspired by television pottery contests, with participants judged on the spot by experts.
According to the gallery’s event listing, the competing potters are Julianna Zwierciadlowska-Rhymer, Eric Au, Teegan Walker and Meriel Bond. The format is built around five creative challenges designed to test skill, speed, ingenuity and nerves, including mystery builds and technical tests. The gallery says the judges will offer commentary and critiques as each creation is completed, and one potter will leave with the title and grand prize.
The judges named for the event are Toluwalope Toludare and Alan Lacovetsky. Beyond the competition itself, the gallery says visitors can expect a cash bar, snacks and an exclusive pop-up sale at ShopWAG featuring one-of-a-kind ceramics by each participating artist. Ticket proceeds will support WAG Studio programs.
The event extends the Winnipeg gallery’s emphasis on hands-on learning through WAG Studio, which offers classes and workshops for children, teens and adults. In a July 31 WAG story, instructor Jess Holl described the studio as a place where experimentation is encouraged and perfection is not the point. The article said the studio’s programs help students build confidence and try new techniques, and it noted that support for the studio helps sustain programs such as Art Expression and Quantum.
The Pottery Throwdown arrives amid a busy August schedule at the gallery. WAG-Qaumajuq’s e-newsletter also highlights ‘Black Garden’ on Aug. 14, a rooftop celebration of music and culture presented by Black Artists Winnipeg and WAG-Qaumajuq, and the opening of ‘Terra Cognita/Incognita: Revisiting the Landscape’ on Aug. 19 during WAG Wednesday Nights. The new landscape exhibition is slated to run Aug. 20, 2026 to Nov. 1, 2027 and includes more than 125 historical and contemporary works from the gallery’s permanent collection, along with works by local contemporary artists and a new commission by Lourdes Still.
WAG-Qaumajuq’s event page says doors for the Pottery Throwdown open at 6 p.m., with the main competition beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the gallery closing at 9:30 p.m. Early-bird tickets are listed at $50 until Aug. 12, with regular admission at $60. The gallery describes the evening as a chance to cheer on a favourite challenger while browsing ceramics made by the artists themselves.
