JoVic Pottery

Represents the work of two potters: husband and wife team, Jo and Vic Duffhues. They began their work in clay together in 1979, near Lindsay, Ontario. That year Vic gave Jo a new potters wheel as a wedding gift, allowing her to turn a hobby into a profession. “I acquired a husband and career at one and the same time,” she jokes.

These days they sell their beautiful work from their own studio, right near Page Point Inn in Ladysmith, and also from the POTTERY STORE in Chemainus--a store they share with two other studios: Chemainus Clayworks and Cobble Hill Pottery.

 

In 1992 they moved to beautiful Vancouver Island, and they believe their magnificent surroundings have much to do with their current glaze development and the beauty of the work they produce together. Vic is especially interested in mocha diffusion, a process that enables him to create beautiful landscapes.

 

Part of their work includes sculptural ceramics, and these are often raku-fired. Jo's hand-sculpted raku fish are highly collectible, one-of-a-kind pieces varying in size from 6 or 7 inches through to large 20 inch pieces. Fully-formed rather than flat, the pieces are carved in back to allow for ease of hanging.

 

Functional stoneware is their "bread and butter" line. And they produce an impressive number of items, ranging from dinnerware to bowls, platters, mugs, goblets, pitchers, teapots, sushi ware, flower vases, ikebana pots and more. JoVic Pottery is also sold in Chemainus at the Pottery Store.

Their stoneware line truly represents a blend of their talents. Vic does the bulk of their wheel-thrown work and Jo creates their slab-ware line; however, glazing and decorating of these pieces is shared. Jo especially enjoys doing the sgraffito carving that is part of their distinctive and colourful work.

 

While the functional line perfectly showcases Jo and Vic's combined talents, both of them also continue to develop their individual skills, creating distinctly unique works of art for the home, office or garden.

Vic also occasionally uses slab to construct wonderful lidded pots. He decorates these pieces with unique slip designs and throws their lids on his wheel, thus combining his talents to produce collectible art.