Drive down any rural road on Vancouver Island and youB次元官网网址檙e sure to spot a farm stand with fresh seasonal produce, eggs, even milk and other dairy products. But one Nanaimo-area roadside stand offers more unconventional goods B次元官网网址� pottery.

The brainchild of artist Lilach Lotan, the blue and yellow pottery stand is parked in the artistB次元官网网址檚 front yard on Jingle Pot Road, a busy Nanaimo thoroughfare. The teardrop-shaped, trailer-like stand, which was built by a friend, attracts drive-by and repeat customers.

Inside the stand, Lilach markets her colourful turquoise and teal mugs and cups, olive oil bottles B次元官网网址� in a range of glossy glazes B次元官网网址� ramen bowl and chopstick sets, large salad bowls and plates of several different sizes. Each piece references LilachB次元官网网址檚 love of Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 landscape and ecosystems.

B次元官网网址淚 am inspired by the rugged coastlines, lush forests and serene beaches,B次元官网网址� she says.

Lilach makes all of her own glazes, with each piece reflecting the organic shapes, textures and colours found in nature.

Buyers can purchase the handmade, wheel-thrown items by sending an e-transfer, inserting cash in a box by the doorbell, or by ringing the doorbell for Lilach to come outside with a credit card machine. A sign urging visitors to smile cheerfully indicates that there is a video camera affixed to the trailer, which deters theft and helps Lilach know when to come outdoors to greet customers.

B次元官网网址淚 can see if they are unsure or hesitant about how to proceed with a purchase,B次元官网网址� she says.

The stand is typically open every day during daylight hours, and can be closed, locked and covered. Both GST and PST are included in the prices for simplicity, and wrapping paper and bags are available if the buyer wants for a smooth, contact-free purchase.

B次元官网网址淚 wanted to remove that barrier of entering a studio or a booth,B次元官网网址� says Lilach. B次元官网网址淚 absolutely love farm stands, so I thought, B次元官网网址榃hy not? If they can sell cucumbers, why couldnB次元官网网址檛 I sell pottery?B次元官网网址�

Pottery was a natural choice of profession for the visual artist and photographer, although she actually studied ceramics by default.

B次元官网网址淔rom the moment I first touched clay, I was captivated by its versatility and potential,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淭he cool, malleable texture felt like an invitation to create. I quickly fell in love with the process of transforming raw earth into functional and beautiful forms.B次元官网网址�

Born in Lithuania, Lilach moved to Vancouver Island with her former partner 21 years ago.

B次元官网网址淲ithin 10 minutes of landing on the island, we were exploring all of the artist studios,B次元官网网址� she remembers.

During one of these studio visits, they met Josie and Vic Duffhues of JoVic Pottery, near Yellow Point.

B次元官网网址淭hey were incredibly kind and welcoming,B次元官网网址� she remembers. B次元官网网址淲e ended up staying with them for a month and learning about their business.B次元官网网址�

That chance meeting would lead Lilach to set up her own pottery studio, first in Ladysmith, and then Nanaimo.

Over the next many years, she travelled to gift shows across North America to market her ceramics. Business flourished, but when her first son was born in 2007, she realized she couldnB次元官网网址檛 keep up with the travel demands of her business. The global financial crisis was also a factor in her decision to go back to school and become a nurse.

B次元官网网址淧ottery went onto the back burner,B次元官网网址� she says.

Her nursing career eventually led Lilach to a position as manager of long-term care at Berwick retirement community, where she worked for 15 years. When she learned two years ago that the facility was closing its long-term care unit, she launched a second business called Pack on Track to help seniors downsize before a move.

B次元官网网址淎s a nurse and manager of that unit, I saw the impact of moving for seniors,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just about the physical move. A lot of it is that emotional connection with seniors.B次元官网网址�

Today, she finds a similar connection to her pottery students and customers. When the management job ended last March, Lilach reignited her pottery business, devising the plan for the pottery stand, which she opened in May 2024, and offering pottery classes.

B次元官网网址淪haring my knowledge and passion with others enriches my practice and creates a vibrant community of artists,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚 believe teaching is a reciprocal experience where I learn as much from my students as they do from me.B次元官网网址�

Lilach also loves meeting locals and tourists and connecting with her customers.

B次元官网网址淥ne of my repeat customers told me that when sheB次元官网网址檚 using my pottery, she can feel my energy in it,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淔or me, that was just the best compliment.B次元官网网址�

Whether sheB次元官网网址檚 helping a senior move, teaching a class, or attending a pottery show, the little blue and yellow pottery stand just keeps on selling pots.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e had people drop by for a gift for a teacher on their way to school that morning. Or sometimes, children will come and buy a gift for a parent,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚t works whether IB次元官网网址檓 home or not. ItB次元官网网址檚 just been amazing.B次元官网网址�

Lilach Lotan Ceramic Art is located at . See .