Gualala Arts Clay Studio

The Clay Studio provides the following services:

1. an open pottery studio for artists of all levels,
2. an environment for youth education and workshops,
3. out-reach programs to community groups that have limited access to art resources,
4. special group events (birthdays, showers, etc.).

1) Open Pottery Studio

The clay studio offers a drop-in Open Studio facility for local artists and visitors, where they can learn how to make and decorate hand-built pottery items. Currently (June 2008), the Studio does not have pottery wheels available, though that is being planned. Start-up clay, tools and firing is included in the session prices, along with instruction from the Studio manager, Jan Maria Chiappa. Additional clay, glazes and tools may be ordered through the Studio for your personal use. Persons under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Monday & Wednesday
10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Members: $20/session or 6 sessions for $100
Non-members: $28/session
Purchase tickets at Gualala Arts office

2) Youth Education and Workshops

The Clay Studio participates in the yearly Gualala Arts Summer Art Program for Youth. Under the tutelage of Jan Maria Chiappa, the popular clay studio offers children the opportunity to learn and express their creativity using the marvelous media of clay. During the first week, the children build their clay projects, followed in the second week by painting their artwork, using ceramic glazes or non-fired acrylics. There are numerous projects for the children to tackle, such as bowls and/or mugs, magnets, balloon sculptures, picture frames, tiles, wind chimes and self-portraits. Older children have the additional option of creating a clock (clock works provided) and/or a bird house. Both groups also have time to use their imaginations and pursue their own individual projects.

Jan Maria Chiappa offers workshops periodically through the Gualala Arts Workshop program. To find out about scheduled workshops, check GualalaArts.org. Persons under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. In the future, the Clay Studio also anticipates inviting artists to conduct specialized workshops.

3) Community Out-reach Programs

Gualala Arts is committed to expanding the use of the studio by bringing the art experience to the under-privileged or challenged in our community. In 2007, the studio hosted a group from Kashia School and Employment Enterprises. Contact Jan Maria Chiappa (707-884-3825) for more information about these types of programs.

4) Special Group Events

The studio may be scheduled for special group events/celebrations, such as birthdays, showers, themed workshops, etc. Contact Jan Maria Chiappa (707-884-3825) for more information about scheduling an event.

More about the Studio Manager

Jan Maria Chiappa has had a long and varied career in both the arts and education. After completing her BFA, including time at the Chicago Art Institute, she traveled West and was a co-founder and curator of the first women's art gallery on the West Coast, "The First Majority" in Berkeley. She maintained a studio in Berkeley for many years producing fine art and functional craft pieces. Along the way, she has done graduate work in psychology and earned a Masters in scripture and ethics from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.

Although her first love is painting and drawing, she has worked in many media including textiles, batik, etching and clay. She has taught art on all levels from preschool to graduate school. For the past several years she has been working in her clay studio in the Gualala area. She continues to draw, paint and work in textiles. For additional information, contact her at (707) 884-3825. Her website is www.pinnipedstudio.com.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Gualala Road in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.