Indian River Clay Inc

Indian River Clay will become the premier clay studio on Florida’s Treasure Coast, (St Lucie, Martin and Indian River Counties) and in so doing will be a positive force for economic development. We will offer a well-equipped, safe and accessible environment in which to explore the craft in its many forms. We will attract a diverse membership with a shared interest in this art form, whether beginners striving to learn the basics or artists of the highest caliber seeking to work in community for continuous development. Well regarded teachers will be drawn to the studio to share their professional skills with our members as well as all within the community. Our membership will recognize their collective capacity to improve the quality of life of our neighbors by establishing partnerships with other non-profit organizations and implementing a robust outreach program.

To continuously assess our progress toward these goals we will:
1 – Obtain studio space and furnish it with all of the necessary equipment required to explore varied aspects of this art form. We will establish a budget, fundraise and set aside a portion of our revenues to assure that the studio supports the craft at the highest level. Safety and environmental impact will be assessed and adjustments made as necessary.

2 - Provide studio space 24/7 to individual artist members at an affordable rate. Assess and adjust studio operations in order to increase access opportunities for all who request membership. Maintain records of studio usage and member volunteer hours in support of day-to-day operations. Quantify the value of volunteer hours.
Progress since inception: At present we have 60 members with a waiting list of over 30 and, at $125 per month, our membership fee is substantially less than any other studio. We are currently limiting membership in order to provide a “covid-safe” environment. Every member is required to volunteer in some capacity from studio maintenance to community outreach. We have adopted the easy-to-use Track It Forward application to monitor volunteer hours.

3 – Implement marketing via website and other means to inform the public of our programs. Provide an easy way for interested persons to register for classes. Track the number of classes offered at each of three skill levels: introductory, advanced and fun projects designed to entertain. Track the number of students and contact hours. The data should show continuous improvement from all metrics. Seek feedback from students and adjust offerings as necessary.

4 – Conduct at least 8 outreach programs per year in partnership with community non-profits in order to share the ceramic arts with a diverse audience where exposure to the arts, and the associated opportunities to channel life’s trauma’s into creative expression, is limited. For example, programs should be designed to benefit all age groups amongst underserved, veterans or persons with disabilities. Set aside a percentage of prior year earnings to support this outreach. Seek feedback from the partner organizations so that we can continuously assess our support of their agency goals. Record the number of persons served and work to select opportunities that reach a growing number of persons. Track and quantify all associated volunteer hours.

5 – Provide at least two opportunities per year for members and teachers to display and sell their art. Provide an annual opportunity for students to display and sell their art. Showcase members who achieve recognition from third parties.

1.Progress since inception: IRC has entered into a contract to purchase the 4,000 sq. ft. building it currently occupies and has raised 20% of the acquisition cost. We have equipped the studio with all of the necessary furnishings plus 4 electric kilns and 3 kilns for various outdoor firings. We have purchased a pug mill which allows us to recycle our own clay. We plan to improve the ventilation once our acquisition is completed.
2. Progress since inception: At present we have 60 members with a waiting list of over 30 and, at $125 per month, our membership fee is substantially less than any other studio. We are currently limiting membership in order to provide a “covid-safe” environment. Every member is required to volunteer in some capacity from studio maintenance to community outreach. We have adopted the easy-to-use Track It Forward application to monitor volunteer hours.
3.Progress since inception: We launched our website immediately after opening the studio and it now provides an informative platform for all that is happening at IRC including our classes which have been featured since we opened our doors in 2018. Registration is seamless and in 2021 we will have offered xx classes attracting over xx students. We have hosted xx instructors coming to IRC from the local potter community as well as from across the country. In 2022 we will implement processes to more closely track registration by category and to garner student and teacher feedback.
4.Progress since inception: We are in the initial stages of this work but have already partnered with various organizations to provide a variety of programs to both youth and veterans including Willow School of Vero Beach, Laura Riding Jackson Foundation, Vero Beach Youth Guidance, Indian River Next Generation Veterans and the Interfaith Community Council.
Our major community partnership is with the Samaritan Center to support their annual soup bowl fundraiser. In 2019, during our first year of operation, we made 600 bowls. In 2020 and 2021, we accepted sole responsibility for spearheading this community wide effort producing 1100 bowls in 2020 and 1745 bowls in 2021.
5. Progress since inception: In 2020 we held our first member sale and showcased the work of 13 artists. In 2021 we hosted a Spring sale with 16 artists and we will host a Holiday sale with 20 artists. Also, in 2021 we hosted a plant and pot sale featuring handmade pots from a majority of our members all sold for the benefit of our capital campaign. Our 2022 events calendar will again feature two member sales and we are strategizing opportunities to feature student work. Our primary fundraising activity will feature member hand-built goblets. We are currently using social media to recognize member accolades and will work to incorporate recognition into our website.