Jenny's Erie ClaySpace Fubdraiser

I first walked through the doors of Erie ClaySpace in late 2022, but in many ways, my clay journey began much earlier.

As a teenager, I was fortunate to have an art apprenticeship where I had my own studio, spent hours throwing on the wheel, hand-building, and participating in raku firings on the golf course where I grew up. Life eventually became filled with marriage, raising two daughters, and building a career, and my creative side quietly took a back seat.

As my daughters became more independent, I realized it was time to reconnect with a part of myself I had missed. It was time to get muddy again.

What I found at Erie ClaySpace wasn't just a ceramics studio—it was a community.

From day one, people were eager to answer questions, share techniques, brainstorm ideas, and celebrate each other's successes. Whether you're brand new to clay or returning after years away, there's always someone willing to help you learn and grow.

Erie ClaySpace gave me the opportunity to dust off skills I hadn't used in decades, explore new techniques, and rediscover the joy of creating on my own schedule. It reminded me that creativity doesn't have an expiration date.

Ceramics is one of humanity's oldest art forms, and it's worth preserving. In a world filled with mass-produced objects, handmade pottery carries stories, traditions, and the unmistakable touch of the person who created it.

Erie ClaySpace makes that experience accessible to everyone. Whether you're taking your very first class or have years of experience, working with clay is creative, therapeutic, and deeply rewarding. It invites people to slow down, solve problems with their hands, and create something meaningful.

For Erie, this studio is more than a place to make pottery—it's a place where community is built, friendships are formed, and artists of every age and skill level are encouraged to grow.

I recently joined the Erie ClaySpace Board because I believe this organization deserves to grow and thrive for generations to come. Personally, it has become part of my own journey as I enter a new season of life and reconnect with my artistic roots. I'm drawn to creating functional pottery that also tells an emotional story.

My daughters have enjoyed making projects here too, and I've seen firsthand how clay creates opportunities to connect—with ourselves and with each other.

Erie ClaySpace offers something for everyone: beginner classes, memberships, girls' nights out, date nights, team-building experiences, community events like raku firings, and a welcoming space inside PACA where creativity flourishes every day.

This Erie Gives, I hope you'll join me in supporting Erie ClaySpace. Your donation helps provide the tools, equipment, programs, and community space that make all of this possible. Together, we can introduce more people to the timeless art of ceramics and ensure Erie ClaySpace continues inspiring creativity, connection, and craftsmanship throughout our community. Every gift helps another person discover the joy of creating something with their own hands.