UNION PROJECT

CERAMICS STUDIOUP'S CERAMICS STUDIO AIMS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO LEARN TO MAKE CERAMICS. THE STUDIO OFFERS A VARIETY OF ENTRY POINTS TO GROW ARTISTIC SKILLS THROUGH YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING INCLUDING STUDIO MEMBERSHIP FOR EMERGING AND PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS AND OPEN STUDIOS (DROP-IN TIME WITH LIGHT INSTRUCTION PROVIDED FOR ALL SKILLS LEVELS). UP RUNS TWO STUDIOS (A MAIN STUDIO AND A THROWING LAB) AS WELL AS A STATE-OF-THE-ART OUTDOOR KILN SHELTER. THE FACILITY INCLUDES SEVEN KILNS (A GAS REDUCTION KILN, A SODA KILN, A RAKU KILN, AND FOUR ELECTRIC KILNS), 20 CERAMIC WHEELS, A CLAY AND GLAZE MIXING FACILITY AND A VARIETY OF STUDIO EQUIPMENT. UP OFFERS SERVICES TO STUDIO MEMBERS WHO SEEK TO MAKE ART THEIR CAREER INCLUDING CERAMIC BUSINESSES, DESIGNERS, SCULPTORS, AND/OR TEACHING ARTISTS. ARTIST SERVICES INCLUDE STUDIO ACCESS AND STORAGE SPACE, TRAINING ON HOW TO MIX GLAZES AND FIRE KILNS, EXHIBITION AND SALES OPPORTUNITIES, AS WELL AS TRAINING AND PAID OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHING. UP STAFF WORK WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER TO SET ARTISTIC GOALS AND A PLAN OF ACTION TO REACH THOSE GOALS. UP ALSO SUPPORTS AND HOSTS VISITING ARTISTS WHO HAVE AN ESTABLISHED PRACTICE AND A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF HIGH-QUALITY ARTWORK, TO MAKE NEW WORK AND SHARE TECHNIQUES WITH OUR STUDIO MEMBERS AND CERAMICS COMMUNITY AT LARGE.ADDITIONALLY, UP HOSTS A COLLABORATIVE STUDIO FOR ARTISTS OF COLOR, WHICH OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK TOGETHER IN A SAFE SPACE, WITH SLIDING SCALE STUDIO MEMBERSHIP FEES AND EVENT ENTRY FEES TO ENSURE THOSE WHO COME FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS CAN PARTICIPATE.

SPACE RENTAL PROGRAMMINGUP'S SPACE RENTAL PROGRAM OFFERS USE OF SPACE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE, ACCESSIBLE, AND JUST COMMUNITY. USING AN AFFORDABLE PRICING STRATEGY AND MARKETING SUPPORT (VIA WEBSITE, MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTERS, AND QUARTERLY POSTCARDS/FLIERS), UP INCUBATES AND SUPPORTS NEW IDEAS, ENTREPRENEURS, SMALL BUSINESSES, NON-PROFITS, AND COMMUNITY CLASSES SO THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN LEARN NEW SKILLS, INTERACT WITH DIVERSE RESIDENTS, BUILD SOCIAL CAPITAL, AND BECOME MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT. RENTALS ARE AVAILABLE HOURLY OR VIA ANNUAL LEASE. HOURLY SPACE RENTAL INCLUDES USE OF THE GREAT HALL AND KITCHEN WHICH CAN HOST ALL MANNER OF PRIVATE AND PUBLIC EVENTS - FROM PERFORMANCES TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS TO WEDDINGS. ANNUAL RENTAL OFFERS AFFORDABLE OFFICES AND STUDIO SPACE TO FLEDGLING NON-PROFITS, START-UPS, SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND ARTISTS, ALL OF WHOM OPERATE IN A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT.