ART: Pottery for the people
eye WEEKLY
eye WEEKLY November 23 1995
Toronto's arts newspaper .....free every Thursday
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ART ART
POTTERY FOR THE PEOPLE
by
MALENE ARPE
Once again you're on the subway, heading home from your meaningless
job, trying not to sink further into despair, when it occurs to you
that maybe what you need is a bit of artistic expression. Elated, you
push aside an old lady, five recent immigrants and a blind man dressed
entirely in plaid, and get off at Greenwood station.
At Danforth and Greenwood there's hope for the artistically inclined
(as well as the not so artistically inclined) in the form of a do-it-
yourself gallery.
Maddie Told Hattie (1340 Danforth Ave. 778-6469, open Tuesday to
Sunday) is an interesting experiment in democracy and creative
expression. For about 25 bucks, anyone can take home a one-of-a-kind
heirloom-to-be.
Overseen by proprietress Debye "Hattie" Dorsey, Maddie Told Hattie
offers the facilities and materials needed to hand-paint ceramics --
things like coffee mugs, plates or teapots -- without having to worry
about the firing. No appointment is needed, and no judgments made.
In the front of this exceedingly cheerful space, local artists display
wares for sale. At the back, enthusiastic customers/artisans paint,
talk and relax.
"We do all the dirty work -- the people here have all the fun," says
Dorsey, who, after a career in the "crummy" corporate world, decided
to open what she calls "an artist colony for ordinary people." In
addition to painting ceramics, you may also book parties, bring the
kids and participate in workshops.
Having been in business just two months, Maddie Told Hattie, has
already gotten great word-of-mouth. "You have no idea how positive
people have been," Dorsey says.
Including, it appears, a group of construction workers, who, much to
Dorsey's delight and surprise, gathered outside the store to watch the
proceedings. Until, that is, she noticed it seemed to happen only when
one of the many young mothers who come to paint, was breast-feeding.
(She has since put a rocking chair at the back of the store for the
use of those lactating.)
The gallery, the name of which comes from a combination of a very
assertive 2-year-old called Madison and Dorsey's nickname, uses only
food-safe materials. There's no lead or other nasty surprises in the
paint.
Maddie Told Hattie is an interesting alternative to a movie and
dinner. For those on an almost-first-date, actually having something
to do with your hands besides having them sweat can be a big help. For
groups of friends who end up producing something tangible while
yakking and having a good time, the experience is somewhat akin to a
quilting bee, says Dorsey.
"This has nothing to do with whether you have artistic talent, it's
all about attitude," she says, emphasizing as always that everyone is
welcome at her gallery -- all it takes is a commitment to having fun.
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