Hi! I am Jazmin Colette, a ceramicist, art educator and owner of JC Studio- a small black-woman-owned business. I am here to raise money to open a public ceramic studio in the Hillcrest area of San Diego, California. This is an opportunity create a community space built around art, learning, and exploration through pottery lessons, ceramic education, childrens courses, and community events. Other than passion for ceramics and art education, I have set out to open a public pottery studio because I have noticed a great thirst in this community for a grounding creative outlet, connection, and knowledge.
Background-
For the past 5 years I have been offering affordable pottery lessons to the public, and let me tell you— there are few things better than the feeling of someone sliding their first cup comes off the wheel or the deep conversations that come with the calm of centering clay.
I completed my undergraduate degree in ceramics at University of Wisconsin- River Falls. After teaching summer ceramics classes at Northern Clay Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota post graduation, I knew that I had to find any way possible to keep teaching ceramics. I have to spread knowledge through mud and help people reconnect with themselves through their connection with clay.
The past 3 years have been spent working tirelessly to bring the beauty of this craft to San Diego. From managing pottery studios, working on large projects, making tiles, and teaching hundreds of students, JC Studio has been through many phases and growing pains. The entire pottery studio has been moved 4 times in the past year trying to find the perfect space to bring community to. From sheds, to garages, to warehouse kitchens, the studio has truly tried it all. The most recent space has been a sublease of what used to be a kitchen in the warehouse of another business. With this year coming to a close, I am excited to say JC Studio has out grown it's current small, private studio space. There has been so many wonderful lessons that the landlords now consider JC Studio's business client-facing and have asked me to slowly begin closing up shop and relocate to a suitable location for clients.
The Mission-
I was recently offered the perfect space in the perfect location- Hillcrest, San Diego. While the monthly rent is totally do-able, the landlords are asking for a MASSIVE security deposit to cover potential damage (mud and water on nice hard wood floors, ya know?) and because JC Studio is such a new and small business. They really are taking a chance in offering an opportunity that I would not otherwise have.
This is where the community comes in; The studio is calling on you, friends, for support. With a little (well, a big) help from you, I can continue to teach and inspire people to ground, connect, and get creative in the perfect space that JC Ceramics and hopefully many others can call home for at least 2 years! I know this is a large ask and I know how crazy this dream is. We can do this. Realistically, it's 50 people donating $100. We can do it. I got my undergraduate degree in ceramics to be able to teach the beauty and connectedness of creating with the earth. I can't imagine it all boiling up to just packing everything away. If this space cannot be secured, JC Studios will have to wrap up what is on the books over the next month or so and close up shop until further notice.
Maybe we make this happen. Maybe we don’t. It’s worth a try though!
So, Team, on 3….
1…2…3…. POTTERY!
***All donations of $50 or more will be mailed a handmade gift from JC Studio as a thank you. Just leave your address or you will be contacted for it. Anticipated gift arrival-- late February 2023.
***If the goal of $5,000 is not met, all funds will be returned immediately in full to all contributors. We have until December 30th. It's go time.
