Food Safe Decal Printer for Ceramics 

Carole Epp successfully applied for a Business Improvement Grant, which allowed her to purchase a ceramic decal printer capable of producing custom food-safe decals for her work. 

Carole Epp is a Canadian ceramic artist living and working in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She received a Masters Degree in Ceramics from the Australian National University in 2005 and has maintained a full-time studio practice since. 

Reflecting on the impact of the grant and the opportunities it has created for her business, Carol shared: “The purchase of a ceramic decal printer has had enormous impact on my practice. Having the ability, thanks to this grant, to produce functional pottery that cuts down on production time by about 50% meant that I could not only produce more, but could also present a product at market this year that was a more equitable price range for my audience. I loved the opportunity to explain more about my process to customers and to highlight the impact of Creative Sask funding in one-on-one conversations. It was encouraging to hear so many of my customers knowledge of Creative Sask and the impactful programs it oversees. The impact of this Business Development Grant will compound over the next few years for even greater growth of my business and for that support I’m forever grateful.” 

Carol’s work has been exhibited throughout Canada, Australia, Scotland and the United States. She has taught workshops in Canada, the United States and Australia on ceramics, the integration of AI in craft based creative inquiry, social media and professional practice. 

Her artwork and writing have also been published in magazine publications, websites and books; most notably in 2017 in Ceramics Monthly when she was named the Ceramic Artist of the Year. Carol not only creates beautiful items herself but offers workshops to share her knowledge so others can also create. 

A fierce advocate for the ceramics community, she was the editor of Musing About Mud an online blog for over 15 years. She is the co-founder of Make and Do ceramics: a Canadian collective focused on the promotion of Canadian ceramics internationally. In 2020, she co-authored The Encyclopedia of Inspiration: Ceramics (Profiles of Potters and Artisans) through Uppercase publishing.  With the support of the Canada Council for the Arts she curated a major exhibition for the Ceramics Congress (May 2021) showcasing ceramics from across Canada to an international audience. 

Through the support of Creative Saskatchewan’s Business Improvement Grant, Carole has been able to expand her creative practice, strengthen the sustainability of her business, and explore new ways of making her work more accessible to audiences. As both an accomplished artist and dedicated educator, she continues to share her expertise with others while pushing the boundaries of contemporary ceramics. Her story demonstrates how targeted investment in Saskatchewan’s creative entrepreneurs can foster innovation, resilience, and long-term growth within the province’s arts community. 

Follow Carole Epp on these platforms:  

Website: www.caroleepp.com  

Blog: www.musingaboutmud.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musingaboutmud/