Congratulations Muiriel!
Northern Artists Gallery wishes to acknowledge and congratulate our very own Muiriel MacLeod for being recognized as one of 50 influential contributors who shaped Sudbury’s arts over the last 50 years!
A book honouring these 50 individuals is planned for release in the Fall of 2026.
Muiriel MacLeod attended Teachers’ College in Aberdeen Scotland and the Art School of Glasgow before coming to Canada in 1965. She continued her education at Cambrian College in the Department of Fine Arts from 1977 – 81 when she opened her own pottery studio.
Always passionate about pottery, Muiriel was a founding member of the Sudbury Basin Potters (SBP) in 1974 providing members with the opportunity to participate in demonstrations, exhibitions, and sales of their artwork.
In 2001, SBP began hosting the increasingly popular Soup’s On, a 3-day event where ticket holders enjoy homemade soup and take home a bowl crafted by a guild potter. Members create approximately seven hundred hand-crafted bowls for the 600-ticket event.
Besides exhibiting at local events, several of the SBP have demonstrated at Ontario Place and Sciene North.
Muiriel was a Sudbury Board of Education trustee for 22 years and also served on the board of the Laurentian Museum and Arts Centre which was incorporated as The Art Gallery of Sudbury in 1997.
In 2004, Muiriel organized a group of artists to form Artist on Elgin, which was to be a one-month project. It thrived, becoming an important outlet for artists and their work and contributing to the revitalization of Downtown Sudbury. She served as chair for 15 years and was a driving force in the annual publication of the artists calendar. Muiriel worked tirelessly, creating the photo contest and getting sponsorship to publish the calendar. Proceeds from sales supported the Northern Artist Gallery’s endeavours.
In 2014, Muiriel received a Community Builder’s Award for her contribution to the arts.
In 2015, she was bestowed an Honorary Fellowship by Thorneloe University.
