Helen Copeland Memorial Award in Ceramics

Helen (Lehrer) Copeland (1914 - 20II) was part of the first wave of potters that arose in Toronto in the late 1930s and early1940s. She began her career taking classes at Central Technical School before going on to study at a summer school session at Alfred University in New York. Her education was typical for the times - part classes and part workshops from visiting artists.

Along with being a potter, Helen was active as an organizer in the clay community. She was instrumental in setting up the Canadian Guild of Potters Shop at 100
Avenue Road, Toronto, in 1962. She served as President of the Canadian Guild of Potters from 1963-65. For many years, the Guild hosted workshops by visiting artists, including Val Cushing, Daniel Rhodes, Don Reitz and Tatsuzo Shimaoka. Later, Helen served as a director and exhibition chairperson of the Ontario Craft Foundation

Helen exhibited her work both nationally and internationally. She won Silver Medals at the 2nd International Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics Ostend in 1959 and at the Ceramique International in Prague in 1962. A number of her pieces are now in the collections of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, QC and the Burlington Art Centre.

Established by family and friends in memory of Toronto potter Helen Copeland, this award recognizes excellence in ceramics and is open to artists at all career levels. In reflection of Helen's exceptional contributions to the community through her work as an organizer, preference will be given to those candidates who demonstrate a high level of involvement in the crafts community.

2025: Tanya Besedina

2024: Marina Van Raay

2023: Jess Riva Cooper

2022: Nurielle Stern

2021: Eiko Maeda

2020: Christy Chor
2019: Joon Hee Kim

2018: Lisa Creskey

2017: Cynthia O'Brien

2016: Naomi Clement

2015: Mary Philpott

2014: Lindsay Montgomery

2013: Chiho Tokita

2012: Ying-Yueh Chuang