Arcanum 

The word arcanum comes from the Latin arcanus, meaning “secret.” During the Renaissance it was used to describe hidden knowledge of the physical and spiritual worlds—mysteries waiting to be uncovered. The Arcanum Project draws on this spirit of discovery, asking what secrets lie within the raw materials beneath our feet.

As ceramic artists, we often work with ingredients, chemicals, and materials without fully knowing how they were processed, where they came from, or even what they are. This project was created to build a more direct connection to those materials—rooting ceramic practice in geology, research, and place.

In collaboration with Dr. Sheila Watters, I explored the bedrock geology of New Brunswick, using existing research, mapping, and fieldwork to identify rocks, minerals, and historic mine sites relevant to ceramics. The most common minerals in the earth’s crust are also the foundation of ceramic materials, and through chemical analysis and modern glaze development methods, I created over 250 glaze recipes sourced directly from outcrops across the province.

The project culminated in a collaborative collection, bringing together my work and the work of ten fellow artists. Together, we created a body of ceramics that highlights New Brunswick’s geological richness and reflects our connection to place—demonstrating that to understand our materials is also to understand where we live and how we create.