The arts are thriving in Columbus! An especially exciting part of our vibrant art scene is the opportunity for hands-on participation. Clayspace offers just that – with classes, workshops and lessons for curious first-timers as well as amateurs and part-time artists. Our studio and accompanying Gallery 831, open since 2006, supports and showcases local emerging and established artists.
We believe in the arts’ ability to enrich people’s lives, improve health and wellbeing and provide social engagement. Clayspace has become a community that shares an interest in art and a love of clay. Regulars at Clayspace encourage each other, laugh together, celebrate successes, devise solutions to challenges, and share ideas, food, and drinks. Some go on art and pottery-related field trips, and even vacations, together! This camaraderie creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere that new students and visitors notice and remark upon.
We celebrate our achievements at the end of every session with a class party, displaying the work made at Clayspace in Gallery 831. Students bring food and drinks to the reception and invite family and friends to see their work. It’s a fun way to end the session and a great way for people to see what can be done with clay.
During the party we fire work in our raku kilns behind the studio. Guests can buy and glaze a handmade piece and watch as we fire it outside. Raku is an exciting and dramatic way to fire pottery; the kilns are fired quickly to 2000 degrees then opened to reveal the red-hot work inside. It is removed from the kiln with tongs and placed in metal trash cans with combustible material that bursts into flames. The cans are covered and the fire pulls the oxygen from the work creating brilliant metallic and iridescent surfaces.
Our next student gallery show and raku firing will be Friday, February 27 from 6-9 pm. The event is free and open to the public; everyone is welcome.
Gallery 831 has hosted some fantastic art exhibits by established artists including work by Mark Beyer from the extensive collection of Thomas Wagner, ceramic artist Jim Bowling, Gunyoung Kim, Lindsey Scypta, Jeni Hanson Gard, pop artist Joss Parker, photographer WE Arnold, and many emerging artists including BFA shows by OSU students. Clayspace students have an opportunity to meet the artists and learn about their work.
The gallery has also hosted weddings, social networking groups, fundraising events for Pets without Parents, Homeless Families Foundation, and Camp Sunrise, and even an event by the Eatsound Company that featured dancers performing in response to art. Our next exhibition opening in March will feature the work of Clayspace artist and instructor Todd Hickerson, along with Lena Simonian and Eric Immelt. It explores the iconic artistry of Oceanic culture and is entitled Modern Primitiva: An Illumination.
The studio is a unique creative venue for corporate teambuilding workshops, Girl Scout troops, bachelorette parties, family reunions, girls night out, and birthday celebrations for all ages.
One of the most popular events is open wheel – a group lesson on the potter’s wheel, offered every Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. The instruction is excellent and it’s the perfect way to try the wheel and see if you might want to take a class. We also offer private lessons (many choose this for anniversary celebrations) and four- and eight-week classes, with a new session starting March 2.
Go ahead Columbus, get your hands dirty!
Visit us at clayspace831.com or 831 S. Front St. Please email owner Tami Knight to reserve wheels in advance or call (614) 449-8144 for more information.
GCAC Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council – supporting art and advancing culture in Columbus – in partnership with the Columbus Arts Marketing Association, a professional development and networking association of arts marketers. Each column will be written by a different local arts organization to give you an insiders look at the arts in Columbus.
