Marek Warunkiewicz on fri 7 feb 03
Got a BIG question for all you wonderful folks!
I'm part of a group that is thinking of setting up a pottery co-op, where we
would have a core group of participating members, and yet be open to the
community to teach as well as hold meetings and sell ceramic works.
That's it in a nutshell. I'm sure many of you have participated or started
ones.
There seem to be some that I've heard of that are very successful, like
Baltimore Clayworks, Salty Dog (anyone got a web address or phone number
for them or even what city they are in?), the Visual Design Centre in
Montreal etc.
Any advice, processes, documents, legal thinking, partnership agreements etc
that you could email me directly, if attachments aren't allowed (and post
whatever you think you want to). I appreciate your help in this. We have
little time and money and would appreciate anything you can do.
The project will take place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, by the way.
Thanks
Judith S. Labovitz on sat 8 feb 03
The Greater Lansing Potters' Guild in Michigan has been in existence for 34
years...we have (at present) 30 active members, 7 of whom were among the
original founding members. We own our own facility and equipment, offer
8 classes a year for adult students with MFA instructors, and have 2
show/sales a year at which we are currently grossing well
over $100,000. In addition, we are able to bring in renown potters to
present workshops...(folks on this list have been to our guild...our next
workshop will be given by RuthAnnTudball)
We are not open to the public (ie...do not offer studio space or firing
....unless the person is a currently enrolled student), nor do we have a
showroom.
We participate in community events, such as Empty Bowl, sponsor a
Christmas tree decorated with pottery for our local hospital fund
raiser, demonstrate at art fairs, etc...to the extent we have the
time, and clay is involved,
If this is the sort of operation you envision and would like more
details, please email me off list and I;ll be happy to share with
you. I wasn;t among the original founding folks, but I understand it
took an enormous amount of work, time, money, enthusiasm etc (It still
does....to keep us going!....and we love it!)
I also understand our Guild was patterned after the Ann Arbor guild, so
perhaps someone there may also offer advice.
I know we consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have our guild....it
is a second family to most of us....we are diverse in as much as we have
members from 5 countries other than USA. Agewise, we are "old"...many of
us are retired from day jobs ....
You might also try the clayart archives....this topic comes up from time to
time
Good luck!!!
judy (in cold mid Michigan....forecast for next week frigid temps and
no sun....)
At 10:09 PM 2/7/03 -0500, you wrote:
>Got a BIG question for all you wonderful folks!
>
>I'm part of a group that is thinking of setting up a pottery co-op, where we
>would have a core group of participating members, and yet be open to the
>community to teach as well as hold meetings and sell ceramic works.
>
>That's it in a nutshell. I'm sure many of you have participated or started
>ones.
>
>There seem to be some that I've heard of that are very successful, like
>Baltimore Clayworks, Salty Dog (anyone got a web address or phone number
>for them or even what city they are in?), the Visual Design Centre in
>Montreal etc.
>
>Any advice, processes, documents, legal thinking, partnership agreements etc
>that you could email me directly, if attachments aren't allowed (and post
>whatever you think you want to). I appreciate your help in this. We have
>little time and money and would appreciate anything you can do.
>
>The project will take place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, by the way.
>
>Thanks
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>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.
Bob Nicholson on sun 9 feb 03
>Got a BIG question for all you wonderful folks!
>
>I'm part of a group that is thinking of setting up a pottery co-op, where we
>would have a core group of participating members, and yet be open to the
>community to teach as well as hold meetings and sell ceramic works.
Marek,
I will send you, off list, some info on how we started the Orchard Valley
Ceramic Arts Guild.
If you would like to contact other Guilds and Coops, we have a pretty
complete list on our website. Go to www.ovcag.org/guilds, then
click on the Guilds Directory link.
Finally, we are planning to try to get together with other Guilds
at the NCECA Connections session, to discuss ways we can
work together and learn from one another.
Regards,
Bob Nicholson
Orchard Valley Ceramic Arts Guild
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