COVID-19 UPDATES
Clay Art Center has reopened for adult and youth classes. More information about in-person and virtual programming here.
We will be updating this page regularly with important information for our Clay Community. Please check Important Questions & Answers below for the latest.
Read the latest edition of our weekly newsletter with updates and important information here.
In this post...
Message from the Executive Director - March 18, 2020
Schedule Changes
Resources for Artists
Important Questions & Answers
Message from the Executive Director - March 18, 2020
I reignited my love for clay after the 2016 election. I was looking for an escape from the onslaught of news and information that I didn’t know how to process. It had been more than a decade since I had made anything but the moment I was back on the wheel I knew that this was exactly what I needed.
Like all of you, in this moment of fear and confusion, I want to be back in the studio with my hands in clay and my mind far away from the news. I know that we will get back there sometime in the near future. In the meantime, all of us at Clay Art Center are working hard to prepare to reopen with new opportunities to learn, be creative, and have fun. We are also brainstorming ways to connect with you virtually so you can be inspired and learn something new while we are all away from the studio. We also continue to update our online shop so you can support Clay Art Center and our artists. I have known from day one that Clay Art Center is a community and together we can get through this.
See you in the Studio!
Emily
Schedule Changes
Suspended: All weekly adult & youth classes through April 30
Canceled: One-time classes (Drop In Clay, Cladies, Family Wheel Night, Weekends on the Wheel)
Postponed (new dates TBD): Workshops & Exhibitions
Resources for Artists
Artist Relief - https://www.artistrelief.org
ArtsWestchester Artist Relief Fund - https://artswestchester.org/grants/artistrelieffund/
NYFA Artist Relief Resources (compilation of national and local artist resources) -
CERF+, The Artists Safety Net - https://cerfplus.org/cerfplus-responds-to-covid-19/
Important Questions & Answers
What are my options if my class, workshop or event has been canceled or postponed?
What classes and events are currently canceled or postponed?
I am currently enrolled in a weekly class that has been suspended through the end of April, when will it be rescheduled?
How can I help Clay Art Center at this critical time?
Am I still able to register my child in summer camp?
What are you offering virtually to stay connected with clay?
How can I get in touch with Clay Art Center staff members?
What are my options if my class, workshop or event has been canceled or postponed?
• Donate your registration. Your tax-deductible donation today means that the next time you join us at Clay Art Center we will be here to share the joy of clay with you once more, as a healthy, vibrant and financially secure organization.
• Credit your registration for an upcoming class, workshop or event. We are happy to credit you with the value of your class, workshop or event that has been cancelled or postponed. Once date(s) have been determined, we will offer you the option to use your credit amount towards classes, workshops and events in the coming year at no additional cost.
• Refund your registration. If you prefer not to donate or have a credit held, a refund can be issued in the value of your canceled classes or workshop.
For assistance with any of the above options please contact James Pastore, Program Director via email james@clayartcenter.org.
2. What classes and events are currently canceled or postponed?
March 14
MARCH 16*
March 20
March 21
March 27
March 28
March 28
March 29
April 3
April 4
April 4
April 4 & 5
April 5
April 11
April 12
April 1
April 18
April 18
April 24
April 25
April 25
Drop In Clay
ARTIST TALK (VIRTUAL): MADHVI SUBRAHMANIAN
Cladies
Drop In Clay
Cladies
Drop in Clay
Family Wheel Night
Empty Bowls
Cladies
Drop In Clay
Opening of Anat Shiftan: The Garden
Anat Shiftan: Tile Workshop
Weekends on the Wheel
Drop In Clay
Weekends on the Wheel
Cladies
Drop In Clay
RNC: Garden Workshop
Cladies
Drop In Clay
Family Wheel Night
Canceled
*RESCHEDULED, APRIL 17
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
Postponed (new date TBD)
Canceled
Canceled
Postponed (new date TBD)
Postponed (new date TBD)
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
Postponed (new date TBD)
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
3. I am currently enrolled in a weekly class that has been suspended through the end of April, when will it be rescheduled?
All weekly adult and youth classes taking place through the end of April have been suspended. We are currently working on rescheduling and we will be contacting you directly once we have more definitive information.
4. How can I help Clay Art Center at this critical time?
All of us at Clay Art Center are working hard to make sure we come back stronger than ever. We are creating ways to bring together our Clay Art Center community for online learning and engagement, but we need your support to ensure we sustain our vital operations during these challenging times. Like many small businesses and nonprofits, a lot of our income is from classes, workshops and donations. While these programs are on hold, we hope you will consider a donation that will allow us to continue being your home for creativity, community and clay. Any donation large or small will go a long way to making sure we are able to provide all of our programming going forward.
You can help by:
1) Making a direct donation to Clay Art Center through our Two Hands Strong - COVID-19 Giving Campaign - Donate Today
2) Make a purchase in our online shop (many items have been donated so the full value goes to Clay Art Center) - Shop Here
3) Set up to donate to Clay Art Center through Amazon Smile when making all your online purchases (Amazon donates 0.5% of all sales at no cost to you)
4) Buy a gift certificate that can be used for a future class, workshop or store purchase - Buy Now
With your help, Clay Art Center will emerge from this global crisis centered and primed to provide you and our community with the gift of clay and creativity. Thank you for helping to keep our vital programs strong!
5. Am I still able to register my child in summer camp?
Summer Camp registration is open and we have extended the 10% discount through April 30. Clay Art Center is prepared for summer camp to start as scheduled. We are monitoring the coronavirus impact and are hoping that we can begin summer camp on time. Our camper’s safety is the most important and if the situation arises where we must make changes to our camp programming, we will be offering credit/refund options.
Register for summer camp here.
6. What are you offering virtually to stay connected with clay?
We are currently adding clay virtual classes daily to our website. Classes will include instructional youth projects along with adult ceramic topics to keep your clay interests fulfilled. Clay Virtual Parties are also available! No clay? No problem. Curbside clay pick-up is available! We will also be offering guest artist lectures and demos from some of the top ceramics artists practicing today. Check out our Clay Virtual Classes page on the website for all the current offerings - Click Here
You might also enjoy the following:
Shop at CAC online - Visit our online store to discover brand new work from our members, residents and shop artists. Some of our items are Shop + Donate, with 100% proceeds going to Clay Art Center. Start Shopping Here!
NCECA Gallery Expo Video Artist Talks - Take studio tours, hear about artistic development and processes, and see some amazing work from talented artists and teachers who have ties to Clay Art Center. This is an ongoing resource with new videos being added as they come in from across the country, accessible at any time. View Here.
CAC Artist Q & A Blog Series - We are creating a series of blogposts highlighting our talented artists discussing their work and influences. Read More.
Instructional Blog Posts - Our teacher, Jeanne Carreau, has written an instructional blogpost titled “How to rehydrate bone dry clay easily”. Read More.
7. How can I get in touch with Clay Art Center staff members?
All staff members are working remotely at this time. Please feel free to contact us via email:
General mail@clayartcenter.org
Emily Peck, Executive Director emily@clayartcenter.org
Classes- James Pastore, Education Director james@clayartcenter.org
Fundraising & Donations- Wendy Weinstein, Director of Development wendy@clayartcenter.org
Gallery & Shop- Regina Farrell-Fagan, Exhibitions Manager gallery@clayartcenter.org
Media & Press- Nancy Yates, Communications Manager communications@clayartcenter.org