The upcoming premiere of CBC’s The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down, on Thursday, February 8, at 8:00 pm, features three talented alumni from the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design (NBCCD). The show, described as an upbeat competition highlighting the creativity of Canada’s top potters, includes NBCCD graduates Andrew McCullough, Elsa Valiñas, and Michael Wood among its ten contestants. 

Jared Peters, NBCCD Acting Director, expressed pride in the achievements of the alumni, stating, “We are so proud Andrew, Elsa, and Michael. As alumni of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, they are modelling artistic excellence and future success to our current students. All three exhibit the fine skills, ambitious ideas, and thoughtful material investigation in their practices that we promote at NBCCD. We’ll be tuning in for every episode and cheering them on the whole way.” 

Elsa Valiñas, an alumna and contestant, shared her exciting experience, stating, “Being part of The Great Canadian Pottery Throw Down was challenging and exhilarating. I had the opportunity to create pieces beyond my expectations in a tight timeframe. Additionally, I had the privilege of learning from an outstanding group of ceramics artists. It was purely fantastic!” 

To celebrate their alumni’s achievements, NBCCD will host a private screening on Friday, February 9, for students, staff, and faculty. Contestants Elsa Valiñas and Andrew McCullough will attend the event. NBCCD encourages everyone to tune in and support the show, showcasing not only the high-caliber work from New Brunswick but also the excellence and professionalism that NBCCD, its students, and alumni embody.