Our History
The Potters’ Studio was founded in Berkeley in 1971 by Jules Seitz as a community service organization providing weekly classes to teenagers from the Blind Skills Center on San Pablo Avenue. In 1977 when Seitz decided to close the studio, a group of potters came together to form a corporation (The NARA Corporation) that bought the studio and ran it as a community/collaborative space.
In 1983, Maija Williams replaced Wayne Salk as studio manager. She remained in the role for almost 30 years. It was during her time at the studio that the character of The Potters’ Studio was formed. As a survivor of WWII from Latvia and an immigrant to the US as a teenager, Maija’s firm belief in the equality of all people, the need for all to participate in the decisions of the group, and her deep fascination for all things ceramic offered an unusual nursery for the creation of what we now cherish as The Potters’ Studio ethos.
James Whiting assumed the leadership of the organization in 2012 after Maija stepped aside. Under his direction, the studio continued to thrive in its efforts to support the ceramic community. Membership grew, classes were added and the financial stability of the studio was cemented.
In 2013, under the leadership of the first board of directors, the shareholders of The NARA Corporation agreed to an amendment to the by-laws by which they all relinquished any equity ownership of the studio. In essence, the studio became a community organization where sharing and collaboration thrive.
With an eye to longevity and a movement toward community offerings, the current Board of Directors recommended seeking non-profit status, and the shareholders agreed unanimously. The Potters’ Studio transitioned to become a non-profit in 2021, its 50th year.