CAMELIA STREET UPDATE
By Cheryl Stevens
Six months ago, we bought a building. We hope that by next year this time we will be in our new “forever” home happily creating and sharing our love for all things ceramics; however, before we move in there is much we have to do to prepare the space for a 21st century pottery studio. Towards that goal in the past six months we have been busy identifying qualified people and companies to help us create a studio that will be our home for years to come. We have identified architects, structural engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers and contractors that have been eager to help us build a studio that will be safe, functional and aesthetically pleasing. We also hope some of you will lend a hand in putting our own personal stamp on the building, but more about that later.
We have been working with our extremely talented, creative, and not to mention, patient and helpful architects, Stromberg Architecture. Stromberg Architecture is an award-winning architecture firm formed in 2009 located in Berkeley. They specialize in idea-driven commercial and residential projects. The principal, Matthew Stromberg, along with project architect, Aaron Newton and designer, Lucy Wang, have collaborated with us over the past five months to create a work space that is functional, ADA compliant and attractive. We have also worked with Stromberg to build in as many sustainability elements as possible. Phase 1 of the renovations include turning a large portion of the current space into a fully functioning potters studio with an expanded glazing area, administrative space, classroom space for students and adjacent work space for members. Phase 1a will involve upgrading the electrical system and building a mezzanine for storage. Finally, Phase 2 will transform the existing metal workshop into a gallery and workshop. The designs for Phases 1 and 1a have been finalized and we have applied for the necessary building permits for Phase 1. Once the permits are approved construction begins. Meanwhile, we have started our capital campaign to raise the funds necessary to complete these Phases. We’ll keep you posted on the progress of the construction and the Capital Campaign and ways you can help us make all of these goals a reality.
Stromberg Architecture has partnered with other professionals to ensure we build the best and safest studio. We have retained the service of Tipping, another Berkeley business, to provide structural engineering support. Tipping has provided the expertise necessary to ensure the building is retrofitted and that all the kilns and interior furnishing from the cubbies to the work tables are properly secured and safe. The other critical partner has been Canyon Construction. Canyon has designed the entire mechanical and electrical infrastructure for the new studio. Canyon has created a design that ensures we have enough electrical power for the wheels, lights and electrical kilns as well as all the other incidental appliances that we rely on in the Studio. They have also designed plans to ensure we have Wi-Fi access through the Studio and that all the kilns are properly and fully vented.
We anticipate construction will begin before the year is over. Recently Bobbi and I walked the neighborhood to introduce ourselves to some of the business owners and to lay the foundation for an ongoing relationship. Everyone was extremely welcoming and excited about us coming to the neighborhood. The warmth with which we were received will undoubtedly be extended to all of you.
Duck’s Nest is a Berkeley staple that has been around for many years. It is a preschool dedicated to encouraging children to appreciate and respect human differences and connect to our natural environment. Eventually, we hope to develop programs including these very creative, diverse and mindful children and look forward to collaborating with Duck’s Nest after we move.
Brushstrokes is a creative arts studio founded almost thirty years ago and is a place where people can drop in to paint premade ceramic pieces as a group or an individual. They also run a summer camp and after school program for children as young as 5. Having a creative art studio nearby will be great and we are excited to join this arts community.
Z&E Slab is a custom furniture maker and salvaged hard wood supplier located just up the street. We chatted with Ian, the manager and primary furniture maker, and we were amazed to see the supply of salvaged hardwood just waiting to be turned into something special.
Hammerling Wines was founded in 2018 to “explore cool climate vineyards along the coast.” Lucky for us they are one of our new neighbors and everybody knows wine and pottery go very well together. The tasting room is open Friday – Sunday and they participate in the First Friday’s Block party with the other local wineries and brew pub featuring live music and local chef pop-ups. I plan to check it out in September and taste some Hammerling Wines. We talked to them about doing some events together and they were excited about the possibilities so stay tuned and watch this space.
Tessier is another winery and tasting room just down the street that also participates in First Fridays and just joined the neighborhood this Spring. Tessier is owned by former scientist turned winemaker, Kristie Tacey. Kristie was also very welcoming and indicated an interest in supporting our events once we join the neighborhood.
Trummer Pils is another convenient spot where potters can whet their whistles after a workshop or a soda firing. Right across the street from our new Studio is a state-of-the-art craft brewery specializing in European brewing combined with homegrown American craft brew. They also have a convenient food menu to compliment their more than ten beers on tap.
One thing is for sure, once we move we will not be thirsty! We look forward to partnering in some way with these local business who will be our neighbors and we hope you will support our new neighbors now and in the future.
We are really excited about how much has been accomplished in the past six months and are anxious about what we must do to turn this blank slate into a beautiful studio for all of you in the coming months. With that in mind, we need your help in several different ways. First, we need your financial support. We have established a capital campaign to help us raise the funds necessary to turn the current space into a beautiful and functioning studio. As Bobbi explained in the article on our non-profit status, we must raise the funds necessary to achieve our goal. So if you or anyone you know wants to invest in the Berkeley arts community our Capital Campaign is an ideal beneficiary. Many of you know how much the Studio means to you and others and we can only continue our programs, workshops and classes in our new space that we own with your help and support. Please click on the link below and make a tax-deductible donation to our Capital Campaign. Tell your friends they can support the arts and your joy by donating to our Capital Campaign. Let us know if you are aware of any foundations or grants that we can appeal to for support. Attend one or all of the upcoming fundraising events (more information to follow) and give generously. Show your enthusiasm for what we intend to create by supporting our new studio.
Second, we would like to have your input on landscaping and exterior art work. We plan to ask Members to participate in the design of our exterior mural and an interior donor wall. We will post information about these two projects in the upcoming months but in the meantime turn on your creative juices so that you are ready when the call for proposals goes out as there will not be a long turn-around time. We really want to have as many Members involved in beautifying the Studio as possible.
So remember, donate, support our neighbors and stay tuned for other ways in which you can make your mark on the Camelia Street Studio.
