It’s been a little over two months since Artspace Greenfield finished renovations and opened its community clay studio. To celebrate, the studio is opening its doors for an open house on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Community members are invited to the Artspace Community Arts Center, at 15 Mill St. in Greenfield, from 1-5 p.m., to explore the renovated space, learn about programs at the center and take a peek at the current show in the art gallery.
“We’ll be offering tours of the studio and the other parts of the building that have been renovated,” said Madeline Miller, director Artspace Greenfield. “We’ll have some snacks, and it’s just a time for people to come in and celebrate everything that the community did to help make this happen.”
Last spring, Artspace raised $112,905 — exceeding a $100,000 goal — to build a clay studio at its Mill Street location. Renovations, including electrical, plumbing and HVAC improvements to accommodate a new clay studio, kiln room and upstairs art studio, were completed over the summer.
The studio has seen approximately 50 students a week for art classes since reopening in mid-September. Miller said in just one, six- to seven-week class session, the studio can go through 1000 pounds of clay.
Artspace hired seven new instructors and a kiln tech to operate a series of handbuilding and wheel throwing classes for kids, teens, adults and mixed-age groups. Miller added that while the team is still settling into the routine with the new classes, they already have ideas for expanding the clay program, including offering one-off sessions so people don’t have to commit to a multi-week class, and working with other community partners to bring groups into the studio.
“We’re really wanting to explore two-day workshops, drop-ins or something that’s just one Saturday afternoon for accessibility,” Miller said. “We’re also in conversation with some other local organizations about how we can partner to bring different constituencies into the studio for enrichment … We’re just trying to brainstorm about how the studio can be a real community resource for the people that are here and provide enrichment, creativity and realization.”
Artspace began as a youth music education organization, Miller said. After the music program moved, Artspace had to rethink its role in Greenfield. It’s Miller’s hope that clay will provide that next purpose.
“Artspace for the last 20 years was mostly focused on music education, and when that program migrated to the Pioneer Valley Symphony, that offered us the opportunity to think about what is the next community level arts intervention that we can produce,” Miller said. “There’s a lot of interest in the community and a longing to be with other people, making art, getting dirty and learning something new and challenging.”
Clay instructor Danielle Lucier added that people are drawn to clay because it can be calming to work with one’s hands, and feel accomplished when they learn a new skill.
“I think clay is portrayed as very calming and serene and so it draws people in that need to relax, but they don’t realize that it’s also something that you have to keep coming back and practicing,” Lucier said. “It has this addicting quality to it … It always pulls you in and just invites you to continuously learn.”
The first few weeks in the studio have been great with students and teachers building off each other’s creativity, Lucier said. Sitting on the shelves in the workroom were pumpkins, teacups, mugs and even a miniature toilet and bathtub.
“Everybody has brought a really high energy and is really excited to make stuff,” she said.
Miller added that Artspace will continue its non-clay programming, such as the After School Art Program, which is held on Thursday afternoons, and the monthly Felting Club, along with one-off programs, such as an upcoming class on Wednesday, Nov. 19 on linocut stamp making.
However, with the clay studio taking over the downstairs workroom, other visual arts have been moved to a newly renovated studio upstairs. Miller said that thanks to donated materials and volunteer labor, they were able to upgrade wiring and lighting, replace drywall and paint, and install new windows and fire alarms.
“It’s kinda like this space is for all types of creativity, and it’s really fun to be up here,” Miller said. “We’re really, really happy to be able to be using this space for art education.”
Instructor Nina Nabizadeh assists students during an afternoon clay class at Artspace Greenfield Credit: STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD 
An Artspace Greenfield student works on creating a heart-shaped dish Credit: STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD 
Instructor Danielle Lucier shows students a hand-pinched cup she made while preparing for an adult handbuilding class on Monday. Credit: STAFF PHOTO/MADISON SCHOFIELD
The open house is free to attend; however, guests are encouraged to register in advance.
For more information or to register, visit artspacegreenfield.org.