Tactile, satisfying, immersive and intimate. Those words could be used to describe the act of creating pottery with one’s hands. They could also describe the videos filling the adult content site OnlyFans.
That was the thinking behind a Richmond Hill community pottery collective recently signing up for an OnlyFans account and posting a marketing campaign titled ‘Ceramics Are Sexy.’
Most of the Hill Potters Guild, consisting mainly of women in their 50s and 60s, with some members in their early 80s, had never heard of OnlyFans before. Director Kathy Verbeek-Chawrun brought the idea to a vote after Toronto branding agency Blackjet suggested it.
“There were definitely a few raised eyebrows,” Verbeek-Chawrun told the Star. “But once we understood the thinking behind it and saw the creative, everyone realized it was clever, tasteful, and actually a really fun way to talk about pottery.”
The guild’s videos feature a fit young man gently yet confidently forming clay into a phallic-looking object. The clay drips and drips as double entendres such as “Grip the base,” “Get wet” and “Find your rhythm” appear on the screen.
Joyce Leuchtner, the guild’s treasurer and a member for seven years, says the studio is where she found her people. “I had no idea what OnlyFans was about — I don’t think any of us did,” she said. “But we trust Kathy, so we thought, ‘Let’s give it a try.’ As long as it’s tastefully done, why not?”
Since the OnlyFans campaign launched in July, the guild’s website has seen a 400 per cent boost in traffic, Verbeek-Chawrun said. She’s also seen increased interest in classes and workshops, especially through comments and questions via Instagram, although she can’t confirm how many students have signed up as a result of the campaign itself. “The biggest surprise has been how quickly people got the joke,” Verbeek-Chawrun said. “They come for the OnlyFans, but they stay to learn about ceramics. That’s exactly what we hoped would happen.”
While OnlyFans is best known for adult content, the subscription platform has also increasingly attracted fitness, cooking, beauty and lifestyle creators, who use it to offer exclusive content to subscribers. For example, British actor and ‘Harry Potter’ star Jessie Cave posts hair-brushing videos on the site while Brazilian athlete Blair Annweiler uses it for fitness content.
Like many arts organizations, one of Hill Potters Guild’s biggest challenges is fostering a love for pottery in a new generation. They saw an opportunity to pique users’ interest and redirect it toward the centuries-old craft of ceramics.
The campaign concept was sparked by how similar descriptions of pottery and intimacy can be. “The anticipation, the tension, the release — it’s all very close to the language of sex,” said Adam Thur, executive creative director at Blackjet. “We felt that if more people understood that, they might see the craft in a completely different way and start paying more attention to it.”
The guild’s goal is to introduce audiences to the benefits of working with clay, which include increased mindfulness, improved focus and a sense of connection and accomplishment. The physical act of shaping clay requires sustained attention and offers an opportunity to create something tangible — qualities that can feel especially valuable in an increasingly digital world.
“The allure of pottery for me was its tactile, de-stressing and calming effect,” said Heidi Kreiner-Ley, a member of the guild for over a decade. She called the campaign “exciting” and “very sexy.” “Shaping clay is very sensual, and the ads capture that sensuality perfectly. The hunky guy sure helps, too — unfortunately, we don’t have one of those at our studio!”
Similarly, Leuchtner’s only qualm with the ad is that she hasn’t been introduced to its star. “Everyone is super excited about that potter they used in the advertisement,” Leuchtner said. “We’re wondering how we can convince him to be a member of our guild. Can you imagine how many people would be lining up to take classes with him? If you can get a hold of the guy in the ad and you find out his name and number, send it directly to me.”
Well, his name is Patrick Dantas and he has been practising pottery for almost three years. Dantas said this project was special to him because it celebrates the sensuality of working with clay. “What I find sexy about ceramics is that nothing happens without touch,” he said. “Clay asks to be handled, and at the end, it will always carry the memory of the body that made it.”
