Meet Laurie Canfield

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Canfield. Laurie was introduced to us by the inspiring and always helpful Kary Sinkule.

Laurie, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had been wanting to open my own art studio for about ten years when the space in Campbell Place became available…in March 2020. My husband, Wayne, and I decided to go for it anyway. If I could get through a pandemic and still be in business, then I felt like I was doing what I was meant to do and fulfilling my purpose. I think during that time, people needed art more than ever. Since then we have managed to grow Sunshine Sunflower Studio and it is blossoming into a beautiful space for our creative community offering classes in pottery and ceramics, as well as workshops by local artisans in media such as painting, metalsmithing, candle making, cookie decorating and more. We partner with local businesses, such as Yoga’s Arc, to design unique art and yoga experiences, and with food vendors such as Everythang Vegan and Hot Sauce & Pepper to offer pop up markets featuring delicious vegan food, body products, and clothing as well as local art. We have also opened a 750 sq. ft. addition – Sunshine Sunflower Sip & Shop marketplace – featuring products by over 30 local artists and makers. I’m very excited to continue designing programming for our community that will feature live music and events, as well as workshops and classes for artists of all ages and abilities. Our mission is to use the creative arts to help our community to make memories and masterpieces together.

Please talk to us about your creative work and career. What should we know?
I began working in ceramics as a Visual Arts student at Eckerd College in 2003. I initially majored in photography and mixed media, then began teaching art in public schools in 2006. I completed a master’s degree in art education in 2011. After moving to the Philadelphia area in 2012, I spent five years working in community arts before returning to the classroom when we relocated to Phoenix in 2017. My experiences as an artist, art teacher, and within community arts have provided me with the background knowledge to open Sunshine Sunflower Studio. I have exhibited my work in the Tampa Bay Area, Philadelphia’s Main Line, and now as part of the Phoenix art scene. My work is currently available at the Phoenix Art Museum Retail Gallery, West Valley Arts Council’s HQ Gallery, The Merchantile of Scottsdale, and of course, Sunshine Sunflower Studio. I am currently creating functional pottery inspired by my surroundings at home in South Mountain, including the landscape, cacti, wildlife, and the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets that Arizona is famous for.

Kary Sinkule and Yoga’s Arc have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Kary and Yoga’s Arc and your experience with them.
Supporting local artists and businesses is one of our primary objectives. I love working with small businesses such as Yoga’s Arc to design unique events for our creative community. Our programs allow participants to practice yoga, then create a related art activity. In addition to our “Unwind” Art & Yoga class, we offer “PLAY” – Peace, Love, Art, Yoga for families to practice yoga and create art together, and “Bead & Breathe” with Emily Somers Jewelry to teach meditation and create bracelets to aid in that process.

Website: www.sunshinesunflower.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshinesunflowerstudio/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-canfield-29580b12b

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sssfceramics?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunshinesunflowerceramics/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunshine-sunflower-studio-phoenix

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxTgEe_eD8dDJqjMlU9I–w

Image Credits
Rachel Elizabeth Photography for images bearing her logo