Clay Studio Collective - Athens United Church

I am nominating the Clay Studio Collective to receive the 100 Women Who Care 1000 Islands donations for the month of November 2023.

We are a group of potters who share a deep respect for the power of the collective pursuit of our craft. The observations we make about collective pottery building include mutual respect and caring amongst members, a sense of personal contentment, a feeling of community, invigoration from continual learning, and many other emotionally beneficial associations.

This new studio in Athens, Ontario has been developed in response to the closure of the pottery program formerly offered at St. Lawrence College here in Brockville. The Clay Studio Collective team is committed to maintaining access to the collective pursuit of pottery making within the geographical area previously served by the college program. We know that many people of widely varying ages greatly benefit physically and emotionally from access to a collective pottery studio. Also, many people go on to pursue careers or to open businesses related to their pottery studio experiences. These are opportunities that we want to be accessible in our area.

At this time, almost 60 local people are set to access the studio on a regular basis. Some will join as members and use the studio as an open studio. Others will attend much sought-after classes on site.

While some equipment was moved from the St. Lawrence College studio to the Clay Studio Collective studio in Athens, there are other financial considerations. These mainly include electrical and plumbing updates at the United Church, where the studio is housed. While some funds have been accessed temporarily (and will be repaid), there is still a shortfall. A donation from 100 Women Who Care would allow us to address immediate costs, and to also address several equipment upgrades that are pressing.

Thank you for your consideration,

Crystal May