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studio

updated sat 1 jun 02

 

Philip Poburka on sat 12 may 01


Dear KC,

Yes...yes I do.
But then, if he does go 'missing' others will take his place...

You could consider trying this:
Make some phone calls to the Building / Zoneing and Permits
departments...see if you can find a buddy or two in some of them...go and
meet with them if possible, you could omit the incident with this fellow, or
express you consternation at his not understanding your intention... and
simply be 'starting from scratch', seeking recommendations and requirements
for your POSSIBLE intentions.

Feel them out, find out HOW to do what you want with out telling them what
it is...find out about 'options' with out them pegging you...tell them you
are not sure what you want to 'do'...and want to understand the differences
to them of this or that arrangement.

Making sure that they get-it, that this is NOT a 'business' in a way of ever
having customers on location.
Make it a 'Mail-Order' business if you want...your Customers are all
'overseas' or whatever...they don't care...

Maybe it is a mistake to 'live' there...verses, simply having that address
on your drivers license, being there every day and night...and maybe taking
the odd 'nightly' nap, to which you are entitled, and so on...as you maybe
didn't feel like driveing home...and have some furnishings, clothes,
refridgerator and stove, as just those amenities as are moral builders, for
your long work days...

See?

That might work.


Phil
Las Vegas...

> I am trying to buy a commercial building and make part of it residential
> and part studio
> I am having problems with the local building inspector
>
> They claim that I have to put up a wall between my work area and living
> area or make everything handicapped accessible. I have assured him that
> NO one will be coming to my studio, all work will be sent out BUT he
> insists that I will be a business and NOT a residence because I will be
> "manufacturing" products. I live in Haywood County North Carolina
>
> Does anyone have any good advise of how to deal with this man?
> --
> KC
> *My job in life is to comfort the disturbed
> and to disturb the comfortable.*
>
>
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KC on sat 12 may 01


I am trying to buy a commercial building and make part of it residential
and part studio
I am having problems with the local building inspector

They claim that I have to put up a wall between my work area and living
area or make everything handicapped accessible. I have assured him that
NO one will be coming to my studio, all work will be sent out BUT he
insists that I will be a business and NOT a residence because I will be
"manufacturing" products. I live in Haywood County North Carolina

Does anyone have any good advise of how to deal with this man?
--
KC
*My job in life is to comfort the disturbed
and to disturb the comfortable.*

Stephani Stephenson on sun 13 may 01


>
> They claim that I have to put up a wall between my work area and
living
> area or make everything handicapped accessible. I have assured him
that
> NO one will be coming to my studio, all work will be sent out BUT he
> insists that I will be a business and NOT a residence because I will
be
> "manufacturing" products. I live in Haywood County North Carolina
>
KC
In addition to Philip's advice, also check with local arts organization
or other professional artists in your area.
Sometimes 'artists' and 'artist studios' have leeway. Being described as
a manufacturer can subject you to different codes and taxes (such as
taxes on your equipment, etc.)
So find out what the regs are on personal/ private artist studios. And
as you know, being open to the public, even putting out a sign, also
subjects you to a higher standard.
Finally, there are all kinds of local variatons. One example from one
town was: If you moved into a building and conducted the same kind of
enterprise that went on previously, you were not subject to review (i.e.
a new bakery in an old bakery site). If you changed the type of
activity, for example a new bakery in an old dry cleaner's shop) you
wiould be subject to new regs on handicap access, wiring and fire codes,
etc.

Since you are already in the city/county radar, your decision on how to
approach the residence vs. business issue will likely depend on what you
find out about the regs. Generally there are limits on how much square
footage of a residence can be used as a business. (usually around 20%),
to qualify for the lax 'home based business' category. Of course people
fudge on the 20% , but the city generally will want to make sure a
residence is primarily a residence . SO you may have a difficult time
convincing them about that. I hope you find a good person to work with,
either in the city department, or an arts or business ally who can give
you some good advice and support.

Stephani Stephenson
Leucadia CA

Mike Gordon on sun 13 may 01


KC,
Maybe he was giving you good advice. You would be foolish NOT to have a
wall or some other physical seperation between your living space and
your work area. Clay = dust =silica. Every clay artist/potter I know who
had living quarters in the same space as their studio had their living
area completely sealed off from the work area. Even my metal sculpture
friends did it. Its common sense. Mike Gordon

clayman on thu 30 may 02


Gary, sorry for the delay in response. We are located in good old State
College, PA. The studio is in the basement of Uncle Eli's the art supply
store on Beaver avenue We have about 6000 sq. feet.
I brought up the idea of a work exchange for you and all but one of the
board members was all for it. I figure with a guy with your experience and
talents on our side we couldn't help but become better than what we are. IF
you would be interested in working with us in exchange for studio space, we
should be able to work something out.
Here's the studio situation.
We (The Creative Oasis Inc, a 501c3 charity) have just taken over a
pre-existing studio. The former studio was a for-profit sole proprietorship.
The studio offers classes in Wheel Pottery, Handbuilding and Sculpture,
Drawing, Painting, Stained glass and Fused glass for adults. We offer
Children's classes in clay and mixed media. We offer membership time to all
age groups
I have been struggling for the last few years to grow the pottery studio
into a teaching facility that could give a little something to everyone no
matter what their level and interest. The place started out with 2 large
bailey electric kilns working at cone 6. I have been doing a lot of research
into cone 6 glazes and slow cooling methods to enhance the crystal and color
development in the glazes. At this point, I am actually happy doing cone 6
oxidation. We have since added a raku kiln off site but cannot do a
gas-reduction kiln because of the location in downtown. But to expand
possibilities. I am currently trying to network with Jack Troy to
participate in his woodfirings.
I started a workshop program last year. Had mixed results with it. Some
people were a hit, but others who should have been, were completely ignored.
Like Ellen Shankin. She was wonderful to communicate with, a really nice
lady, phenomenal work, a lot to recommend her, a resume to die for, but no
one in central PA would come to see her. I was embarrassed to have to
cancel her workshop.

So if you were interested in joining us, what would you, could you bring
to the facility. Would you want to teach an evening class, a weekend
workshop? Would you want to simply do some labor for the space. What would
you ideally want and what would you consider a fair exchange to get it? This
is a program that could grow very rapidly. If the community at large sees we
are doing a good job, we might be able to expand in a year or 2 and have a
kilnyard and a more comprehensive program. But right now we need to thrill
the folks who are coming in the door and show them how wonderful and life
changing art can be. Both from the perspective of maker and observer.

Let me know if this appeals to you.

Charles
Visit my webpage...
http://www.thecreativeoasis.com/Hughes/hughes.html

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Hess"
To:
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 1:20 PM


> hello,
> i am a ceramic artist looking for studio / work /
> teaching opportunities in the field. i have a bfa
> from alfred university and a mfa from penn state with
> some experience teaching college courses at middlesex
> county college, nj, marywood college, pa, and corning
> community college in ny. after that i moved to ca and
> became a plant manager for heath ceramics inc..
> currently i am in vermont managing a ceramics studio,
> and i have a personal studio here also. i am looking
> for something more profitable financially at this
> point, or a better opportunity in my career as a
> teacher and artist. i look forward to hearing from
> you.
> sincerely,
> gary hess
>
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____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>