Clay Owl Studio and Boutique has spread it’s wings to a new location on Main Street in Winkler.

“We are a paint-your-own pottery studio and we also have a beautiful boutique section,” explains Assistant Manager Arienne Morissette.

“Most importantly though, we are a social enterprise owned by Gateway Resources, so we're also a job training site for adults living with [intellectual] disabilities. We've been working hard for a couple months at setting up our new location and we couldn't be more excited!”

The studio was taken over three years ago by Gateway, a local non-profit that provides life-building programs for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Amanda Thiessen talks about her role as a customer service trainee at Clay Owl.

“It keeps me out of the house and I can just come here and paint and work, help the customers out if they need it. I like working with Arienne. She keeps my spirits up. I learn how to paint and gloss, counting money. I really encourage others to come and try this place out.”

Staff work alongside a job coach to develop and enrich their job skills. That approach has made an impact on Thiessen.

“Showing good attitude, be polite, smile. Welcome [customers] here and tell they can go collect their item and go paint. Then we'll go with instructions on how to paint their pottery.”

Having joined the staff in the midst of the pandemic, Morissette is pleased that looser restrictions have allowed the resumption of hosting in-person painting. The new location across from Del Rios offers double the workspace compared to the previous site.

Morissette says, initially, it was the artistic element that drew her to Clay Owl.

“I love making art and this was a really good opportunity to start that. But since then I've fallen in love with the individuals we support. They continue to blow me away every day! I just couldn't be happier to see them grow.”

The studio also offers it’s space for hosting functions such as birthday parties, bridal showers, office parties or club events. The small gift boutique was added in 2016.

Assistant Manager Arienne Morissette displays the kiln at Clay Owl.