Caryl's Erie ClaySpace Fundraiser

My ClaySpace Story

"In 1993, I took my very first wheel-throwing class at Erie ClaySpace. Like so many people who discover clay for the first time, I fell in love with it immediately. There was something magical about taking a simple lump of clay and transforming it into something beautiful and functional with my own hands.

Life, however, had other plans.

By 1995, I had begun my first "real" job, launching what would become a rewarding 32-year career in education. While I dedicated myself to serving students and schools, I often thought fondly of my time at ClaySpace. Every now and then, I would find myself wishing I could return, but life always seemed too busy.

Then, in 2025, as I prepared to retire from education, I knew exactly what I wanted to do next.

I came back to Erie ClaySpace.

I started over from the beginning, enrolling in the eight-week beginner wheel-throwing class. From the very first moment my hands touched the clay again, I knew I had returned to a place that fed my soul. It felt like coming home.

What I found was more than a ceramics studio.

I found a welcoming community of potters and ceramic artists who encouraged me, shared their knowledge, celebrated each other's successes, and reminded me that learning never ends. Through Erie ClaySpace, I have found joy, friendship, creativity, and a shared passion for making the world a more beautiful place through ceramic art.

Erie ClaySpace is much more than a place to make pottery. It is a community resource that inspires creativity, provides educational opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, and offers accessible classes and studio space at a reasonable cost for everyone—from complete beginners to experienced artists.

Today, I am asking you to support Erie ClaySpace during Erie Gives Day.

Your donation helps ensure that others can experience what I did—a place where creativity flourishes, friendships are formed, and lives are enriched through the arts. Whether someone is discovering clay for the first time or returning after decades away, Erie ClaySpace offers the opportunity to learn, create, and belong.

Please consider making a gift during Erie Gives Day. By supporting Erie ClaySpace, you are investing in the arts, strengthening our community, and helping people like me discover—or rediscover—a creative home.

Thank you for helping keep the arts thriving in Erie."