Biography

Julie MacKinnon’s studies in Architecture and Design have strongly influenced her award-winning work in clay.

After her technical studies in Architecture she ran a large Landscape Design/Build firm in Edmonton for 2 years. Julie ran off to England and Australia for three years…and a chance evening pottery class led to many more evening pottery classes! Returning to Canada she became disillusioned with architectural design, finding less and less artistic control and expression. She took more pottery lessons!

Moving back to England for her “knight in shining armour”-(her husband), she began an eight month residency in Hampshire. Moving back to Canada she apprenticed under Gary Cherneff on Salt Spring Island for 2 years, which led to the decision to go back to her studies. She moved to Nelson where she completed the 3 year Design program in ceramics at the Kootenay School of Art and Design at the top of her class.

Two scholarships and The BC Crafts Association award for “Emerging Student” award fuelled the fire to begin her own working studio as soon as she could. Four months later Julie MacKinnon Ceramics was open to the public!

Julie lives on beautiful Salt Spring Island along with her husband and twin daughters. You can find Julie at her home studio and gallery or at the famous Salt Spring Island Saturday Market from April through October.