PEI Potters Studio Co-op
A small not-for-profit Co-op located in Victoria Park, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Catherine Marie Arsenault Obituary
To see the full obituary click here
Catherine (Cathy) Arsenault was born on January 28, 1957, and passed away while vacationing in Barbados, doing what she loved most — peacefully floating with the ocean waves — on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Her love was bold and fierce. A devoted wife, mother, nanny, sister, aunt, and cherished friend, Cathy made everyone in her world feel like the most loved person in the world.
Cathy was born in Barrie, ON and spent her childhood travelling around Canada and Germany through the many postings her father had during his time in the Canadian Armed Forces. She later attended college in Truro, Nova Scotia and gained her certificate in administration. Cathy met the love of her life, Wayne, in Oromocto, New Brunswick in 1973. The two married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1976, in Winnipeg, Manitoba; a date as fitting as any for a woman who loved so deeply. Together they built a life and a family, continuing to move coast to coast in Canada through Wayne’s time in the Canadian Armed Forces before moving to Pownal, Prince Edward Island in 2006 and retiring in 2011. In September 2025, they made one final move to Okotoks, Alberta, to be closer to her family in the prairies.
Our hearts are deeply saddened by her loss, yet we are grateful for the many beautiful memories she leaves behind. Whether surrounded by her grandchildren or elbow-deep in clay, Cathy was in her element. A natural and curious creative, she poured herself into pottery, painting, and every artistic adventure she touched. She lived life ‘max flex’ and always found a reason to laugh. She had a special gift for bringing people together. Her home was always open, her table was always full. She never hesitated to drop everything to help someone in need, lifting spirits as she offered support.
Those who loved Cathy are invited to gather in celebration of her life at Snodgrass Funeral Home, 200 Woodgate Rd, Okotoks, Alberta on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow the service, with a reception after at the funeral home where family and friends are invited to join in honoring and remembering Cathy’s beautiful life. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/live/lp_Ml58JGZ8
The family invites donations in her memory to the PEI Potters Studio Cooperative, a place that celebrates the arts, creativity, and community—things that brought her great joy throughout her life. Email: donations@peipottersstudio.ca
Cathy will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
About Our Studio
In response to a brief note in The Buzz, a small group first met to discuss the idea of starting a cooperative pottery studio in July 1995. The founding members had all taken pottery classes at the former Holland College School of Visual Arts, whose pottery studio was dismantled in 1993. The Co-op was formed in 1997. With help from the PEI Craft’s Council and the City of Charlottetown, the Co-op moved into its current Victoria Park location in 1998.
A major goal of the non-profit co-op has been providing pottery classes for the public. Membership is capped at 70 members and renews on an annual basis starting April 1st. People wishing to add their name to our membership waitlist should already have a pottery background.
Members have access to the studio when it is not closed for either classes or cleaning. Current summer cleaning hours Mondays – Fridays 2-4pm. In the fall, cleaning hours normally change to early mornings.
The studio is also closed for adult classes (Mondays and Tuesday evenings 6-10pm starting Sep 8th) and kids classes (Saturdays until 2:15pm starting Sep 6th).
Class Registration!
Winter classes are ongoing.
Spring classes will be starting in late March or early April depending on the class. Summary: For the spring classes, we have adult classes on Tuesdays (one set) or Thursdays (second set) evenings, children’s classes will be on Saturday mornings and youth classes Thursday afternoons.
Class information (descriptions, prices, etc.) are on our “Classes” page (linked HERE).
March 7 update: spring class registration is complete and notices have gone out, with waitlists. The next registration session will be in August for September classes.
Annual Fundraising Sale
Our annual fundraising sale helps to keep our class and membership fees lower. We sell pieces from members, donations from potters, including class instructor example pieces, and unclaimed pieces. Location: Farm Centre, 420 University Avenue. Next sale (tentative) Aug 22, 2026.
Upcoming Workshops & Guest Artists
Our studio self-funds pottery workshops for our members. These include an annual Raku workshop in the fall, and occasional workshops throughout the year based on member interest and instructor availability.
If you are a potter travelling through PEI and are interested in giving a workshop (1/2 day to 2-day), please contact us with your Bio and potential workshop for consideration.
Joy of Making
“I’ve spent years working on movies that fewer people pay attention to than a vase I spent 40 minutes on”.
Address
11 Victoria Park Driveway S, Charlottetown, PE, Canada C1A 1V1 (the old caretaker’s house)