Lili Krakowski on sat 13 aug 05
Going in with a group of people to rent a space and establish as studio is
ONE thing. Fraught with problems, but enough such studios exist to allow
one research in how to do it right.
Allowing or inviting people to share your studio, is, I think, madness.
(I am taking into account here that I am reclusive, that I allow no one in
my studio at all, etc.)
For one: The people who want to share your studio do not necessarily agree
among themselves about tidiness, schedules, responsibility and so on.
Mitzi may be the type to clean and mop properly every day, Harriet may feel
that there has to be a mountain of dirt before she cleans. Mitzi may be
punctual and if she is to use the studio Tuesdays 9-12 will be totally
faithful to the clock. Harriet may wander in at 8:15 because she could not
sleep and wander out at 1:00 because she wanted to finish something. You
get the idea. Your tenants may not agree among themselves, much less with
you about all sorts of stuff....
Then there will be problems about money. Do not think that because people
are well off they are generous. Mitzi's pot explodes, Harriet has a shard
stuck to her pot--Harriet does not want to pay the kiln fee. Someone's
glaze runs (careless double layering) and who pays for the self?
Furthermore: as not everyone will use as much clay, use the kiln as much,
you should be prepared for people reneging on element replacement costs, or
repair to pugmill.
And like that. If you feel that you really really want to do this check
with YOUR INSURANCE AGENT before you do anything. You DO NOT want to find
that if Harriet slips on slip she spilled on the floor and breaks her leg it
is YOUR problem.....
Last: What clued me in that this is a no-no for you is that, if aging
memory serves, THEY asked to share YOUR studio. YOU did not feel lonesome
and ask THEM in.
Sorry.
P>S> I shared a studio with a friend for years in NYC--but we had worked
together at school, we knew each other's work habits.
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
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