Marina Van Raay is a Canadian Japanese ceramic artist based in Hamilton, Ontario. She is a graduate of the bachelor’s program in Craft and Design at Sheridan College. Van Raay’s passion for clay and deep appreciation for craftsmanship was sparked by her father, who introduced her to pottery in 2016. Her grandmother was both a visual artist and a potter, inspiring her father to pursue ceramics and, in turn, passing that passion on to Van Raay.
Born in Japan, Van Raay moved to Canada at the age of five. Through her work, she explores the cultural experiences that have shaped her life, focusing on themes of nostalgia, identity and memory. She draws inspiration from childhood memories, often evoking feelings of innocence and optimism through her designs, processes and decorations. The language, culture and emotions tied to those experiences have shaped her perspective, prompting her to explore her upbringing through an adult lens and translate those memories into her ceramics. Embracing play as a design method, Van Raay aims to capture its essence throughout the making process. She embellishes and decorates her work both before and after glaze firing, allowing spontaneity and emotion to guide her creative process. Marina was awarded and began her role as a Ceramics Artist-in-Residence at Harbourfront Centre on June 1, 2025.