Hi Friends,
I want to start off this letter with gratitude for your support throughout the years. Thank you to those of you who have celebrated, created, come to our classes, and shared the love of making something with us. And thank you to my amazing members and those who come back month after month, year after year. Because of you we have been open for 15 creatively dirty years, have filled 1000’s of empty bowls for Broward Outreach Centers, sponsored a dozen animals at Everglades Angels Animal shelter, made 1000’s of pots, taught over 15,000 people, moved 150,000 pounds of clay, and probably recycles twice that amount ;D, not to mention that we have collectively made at least 26,701 mugs.
That we have been open for over 15 years is a blessing and it is because of everyone of you that has come through our doors! Thank you for learning with us and from us and helping us grow. I want to share my appreciation for Alan, Errol, my founding members, who are still around and seeded the original money to help the studio start. My love for my volunteer powers throughout the years who helped us in the middle of the road Jeanine, Hillary, Steven, Mike, Andy and so many more, we had our differences but I loved you all in very different ways. And to all my current members who help the studio in innumerable ways firing Rakus, cleaning the backyard, schelping clay, volunteering at every crazy event, cooking, cleaning, throwing in your hand to teach a class when we were overwhelmed, showing people the studio, and even helping us prepare for Hurricanes! When we have called to you, you have always been there with open arms. THANK YOU.
I can’t tell you how often we get told how the studio has helped someone through a difficult time, how the atmosphere is so soothing and inviting, and that they feel at home with us and in our welcoming embrace. I want to say thank you, your love, passion, and support are what make the studio the loving, inviting, creative space that we all enjoy.
Now to the semi-sad bits. In late December the landlady notified us that she was selling the building. The SOLD notification came within hours of her telling us, we didn't stand a chance. The new owner took over and as of January 3, 2022, and in no uncertain terms, is kicking us out of the building. After all these years supporting the community and fundraising for others who knew we would need to do this for ourselves. We are forced to find a new home for the studio and we need to be out of the studio by 4/30.
We started a Go Fund Me page to share with you what is going on with the studio as well as look for support however you can. We need money, muscle, and memories to help us through all of this. It's going to cost close to $22,000 to move the kilns, tear everything down and rebuild it all up from scratch, electrical, etc. We need the muscle, it's been 16 years, there is a lot to move and many projects of love built by our community of members, some of who are no longer here, that we want to carry with us to the new space. Please share your memories with us about your favorite times at the studio. It gives us energy and reminds us why we do this day in and day out. We deeply appreciate all the help we can get!
Thank you again for being a part of our studio, your love, generosity, and loyalty, we love you, and can’t wait to see you again when we land.
Thank you and much love always,
Denise Mendez, Francis Sabag, Lori Kane, Kaityln Coughran, Jacqueline Oortman, Julie Kallini & Sandy Reyes
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