Ceramics Creates Community
We envision our new building as a welcoming, vibrant, and creative home that will bring together artists, art lovers, and people of all ages, identities, and skill levels who are interested in working with and appreciating clay.
We are acutely aware of existing institutional inequalities and power structures in the arts and are designing space and programming in our new studio to be accessible and welcoming to everyone interested in ceramics, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and individuals and communities traditionally disenfranchised from access to ceramics by language and/or financial needs. We recognize that dismantling inequity is ongoing work that demands deliberate intervention and attention to existing practices and processes. Our new space will allow us to expand our Maija Scholarship program supporting young BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students and practicing artists.
Inspiring the Community
We believe a creative and grounded ceramics community is nurtured through continuous lifelong learning. Our classes are designed to teach, develop, and guide students at every level of clay experience and are structured to encourage creativity and experimentation in a supportive environment. Our instructional levels are not lists of prerequisites but invite students to reflect on their comfort and experience when choosing a class.
In addition to our diverse classes and workshops, The Potters’ Studio uniquely offers free training for members in gas and electric kiln firing and glaze mixing. Our state-of-the-art glaze making lab lets members mix their own glazes, and we’re one of the few studios nationwide where artists can create, glaze, and fire in soda kilns. Members and students can also learn raku and reduction firings in our 2-foot raku kiln our 16-cubic-foot soda or gas kilns. Our electric kilns, ranging from 1 to 12 cubic feet, accommodate everything from small test pieces and jewelry to large-scale sculptures.
Design that Centers Community
As ceramicists, we’re committed to creating spaces that are thoughtfully designed and welcoming. As caretakers of our studio community, we know how important it is for the studio design to cultivate a friendly, thriving and creative environment for everyone.
The seamless flow between different areas in the new studio space will allow individuals to transition between learning, creating, and socializing. The dedicated spaces for workshops and masterclasses will provide more specialized and intensive learning opportunities, while the integration of community spaces will support a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere. Overall, the thoughtfully organized layout will promote a dynamic and interactive studio culture, enhancing both the creative and educational experiences for everyone involved.
Our new studio will allow us to create additional exciting programming:
Community Artist Program: Invited local, emerging artists from under-resourced communities will teach workshops at the studio
Resident Artist Program: Internationally and nationally known artists will be able to create work in a designated studio space, teach classes and exhibit their in our gallery, while engaging with our community
Youth Mentorship Program and Scholarship Program: High school students ages 16+ will be introduced to basic ceramics studio operations. Participants will develop job skills, gain work experience, and deepen their ceramics knowledge.
Neighborhood Impact
The Potters’ Studio has been a cultural anchor in Berkeley’s arts and business district since we first opened our doors more than 50 years ago in a small San Pablo Avenue shopfront. Over the last six years, we have actively participated in community activities, enhanced our facilities, and expanded our popular annual Holiday Sale. Our commitment to our neighborhood will not only continue but also improve in our new home.
The Gilman District has seen significant growth in recent years and recently celebrated its second annual Gilman Street Fair, which attracted thousands of visitors and showcased local businesses and artists.
Moving to a permanent home in the heart of this thriving creative community will strengthen our contributions to the Gilman District’s cultural vibrancy. Our enhanced programs will amplify our impact, foster community engagement, and support the arts in new and exciting ways.
Your participation matters!
We invite you to invest in creating transformative benefits for both our immediate and broader communities.
