Mary-Ruth Newell has been working in clay for more than twenty-five years. Her award winning studio, The Village Potter, Muskoka, is highly regarded in the art’s community. Her work is easily recognized by the distinctive forms and she has earned a reputation for high quality, durable stoneware.

Over the years her work has focused exclusively on pottery fired in a wood-fueled kiln. As the wood ash flies through the kiln, during the firing, it lands on the pots melting into the glazes and producing a permanent accent. Each of her glazes have been developed in house and are safe to use in the oven, the microwave, and the dishwasher.

The thoughtful designs and well-formed handles make every hand-made piece a pleasure to use everyday at home in the city or relaxing at the cottage. Muffin bakers, wine bowls, salt pigs, and maple syrup jugs are some of our customer’s favourites.

Mary-Ruth began working in steel to accompany her stoneware. Every teapot and casserole needs a trivet. Almost immediately she began moving steel under the hammer everyday to form a variety of hooks and firepit pokers. Soon she moved to more difficult projects trivets, dragons, herons, and door/gate hardware.

Mary-Ruth’s art has always had a very strong functional direction. There is great satisfaction in using a well designed, well made tool. Some of her best sellers are oven steels, forged hooks, including the Muskoka Collection, meat skewers, dragonflies, garden art, and pizza peels.

I am very lucky to be able to pursue perfection in both clay and steel and I look forward to sharing my passion for my art with you in my studio or at an art show.

Instagram: thevillagepottermuskoka

705-789-6708