“A Day in the Life” with: Visual Artist Marla Benton

June 10, 2026 Lauren Kannwischer Artist Profiles, Arts

Marla Benton’s path has a bit of wanderlust baked right into it. She dove into any and all art materials at Ontario College of Art and Design, then fled east to Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where she focused on ceramics and really found her love of fanciful and function in her art. Somewhere along the way, she added a Nipissing University Bachelor of Education to the mix, because making art and sharing it just made sense together.

What followed was a stretch of teaching, moving, and adventuring across Canada, collecting stories, landscapes, and a deep appreciation for community along the way. Marla happily put down roots in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, where she delights in a cozy studio that is right beside her home, that’s always in motion.

She creates everything from functional wares to sculptural pieces, often weaving in collaborative, community-based projects. When she’s not in the studio, you’ll likely find her teaching, whether in public schools or local art centres, sharing her love of clay, creativity, and a little bit of playful curiosity with anyone willing to get their hands dirty.

Marla Benton
My walk to work! We built this studio in 2021 beside our house. To make sure I never lose sight of how lucky I am, I have a photo of my old tiny studio space hanging on the wall. My husband works upstairs, and I work on the main level.
Marla Benton
It happens to be a ‘wet clay’ or a ‘making’ day! When arriving in the studio, there is always things to check on. I take an overview of work in process, work drying and work ready for the kiln.
Typically, work done the day before needs to be checked and touched up before moving it to the other end of my studio, where my ware shelves are. Work there is drying and getting ready to be fired in the kiln, once I have enough work for a full firing.
Once I have done my rounds, I look at my list…I usually have many lists… to make sure I have a sense of how my day will flow. I get down to work.
Today I am working on a couple of hanging wall tiles. The first of the day is a small whale, which is actually a test for a much larger whale. I want to make sure my idea will be successful before working on a larger scale. My favourite carving tool happens to be a pencil that is sharpened with an X-Acto knife!
This is what my work table can look like at the end of a project. Tools!
Marla Benton
I have soooo many mugs! Some of mine that I use in the studio and some of other ceramic artists that I cherish. I am both a coffee and a tea drinker and am strongly opinionated on which mug I use…..it depends on my mood. If you come over for a tea, I will always watch (or judge haha) which mug you chose to use! This is one of my hummingbird mugs with some crow tiles in the making.
Marla Benton
Lastly, to end my studio day, I always have computer work! I try not to let it get away from me. Before leaving my studio, I make my list for the next day to help me get started and focused.

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Which ’hood are you in?

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, just a sweet drive down the south shore from Halifax.

What do you do?

I have a functional line of ceramics which helps keep my kiln running. I create sculptures and more often than not, incorporate the sculpture into functional pieces. When time permits, or there is an exhibition coming up, I love to create interactive pieces of art. The heightened engage and playfulness of having the viewer become a participant is why I love what I do!

What are you currently working on?

I am always working commissions. My list is never empty, which I am so grateful for. Aside from commissions, I am currently working towards a solo exhibition at the Concrete House Hazelwood Gallery in Centreville, NS. The show will consist of wall-hug ceramic tiles that create shadows on the gallery walls!

Where can we find your work?

Linktree | Website | Instagram

Gardiner Museum – Toronto, ON
Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery – Waterloo, ON
Gallery 78 – Fredericton, NB
Harvest Gallery – Wolfville, NS
Northern Sun Gallery – Mahone Bay, NS
Inkwell Boutique – Halifax, NS
Hubert & Belle Gallery/Shop – Yarmouth, NS

 

About Lauren Kannwischer 9 Articles
Lauren is a passionate community driven Torontonian who helps out with our social media and our daily features.

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