Golden is buzzing with excitement as a fresh breeze of creativity with the opening of Wedge Community Clay. This new business promises to be more than just a pottery studio – it’s a hub of artistic expression and community connection. In our interview with the founders, we delve into their vision, the inspiration behind their venture, and why they believe Golden is the perfect canvas for their clay-filled dreams.
What inspired you to start Wedge Community Clay?
We wanted to create a fun, relaxed and welcoming space for our community to come together over pottery, and to create a purpose-built space to practice pottery. We had a home studio but found it really hard to practice consistently without the necessary sinks, tables, storage and infrastructure, plus it was kind of lonely! Brenna had met some new friends at pottery class and loved learning and creating with them.
In Fall 2022, she had the idea to start a membership-based pottery studio where potters could practice, learn from each other, and build their skillset. John quickly jumped on board and we started dreaming and scheming. It took us a year to find the perfect space but once we got the keys, it all came together really quickly!
How long have you been a part of the Golden community?
John moved to Golden in 2008 and Brenna moved in 2019.
You’ve been open for three months so far, how are things going?
We have been feeling the love from our community. We have a fantastic cohort of members, taught two successful beginner courses and are on our third, hosted a few private workshops, and are excited for more this Spring and Summer. People are stoked for pottery and excited to have a creative outlet in Golden. We keep hearing that people are excited for another thing to do in Golden, especially an indoor activity! We are so grateful for the warm reception and the support.
Did you have any additional experience with business/ entrepreneurship before starting Wedge Community Clay?
This is our first foray into owning a small business. Brenna’s family is full of small business owners and she grew up dragging and chipping brush for her dad’s arborist business. Watching her family run successful businesses and their passion for their work inspired her to want to work for herself and take on the challenges of starting a business, especially here in Golden, the town of opportunity.
What kind of programs/events can the community expect to see?
Wedge is launching our custom workshop and private event offerings for folks who want to come in for a few hours and try out the wheel, hand build a piece of pottery, or paint a pre-made piece. So far, we have hosted friend groups, a work event, and a birthday party. A workshop is a great option for dates, birthdays, bachelorette parties, or for something to do while visiting Golden.
We will also be hosting regular pottery-making workshops throughout the year, so be sure to keep an eye on our Instagram (@wedge.clay) to see what’s coming up! In June, we are planning to host a studio opening party and member work showcase, stay tuned for more information on that! We are also trying to bring in ceramic artists to teach more specialized workshops for our intermediate and advanced members.
What would you like to tell people who have never tried making their own pottery before?
Pottery is so much harder than it looks! Like everything, getting good at pottery takes time, practice and maybe even a few tears. The process is labour intensive with so many steps, but pottery is incredibly rewarding. Every time we unload the final glaze fire from the kiln and we see the finished pieces all colourful and shiny, we ride that high for a few days. Hand building is a great entry point for people who want to try making pottery. It’s very accessible and making a basic mug using a slab is much easier for beginners than using the wheel.
Do you have any goals/future aspirations for the business you’re working towards?
Our goal with Wedge is to keep growing the business and the pottery community in Golden. We want to keep welcoming new members and establish a place for learning and skill development. I would love to see visiting ceramic artists who can teach new skills and areas of practice to our members, like sculpture and surface decorating. We would also like to have a place for visitors to come to make a bowl or paint a mug during the summer. Ultimately, we would love to create a creative and artistic gathering space.
Anything else you’d like to share!
Wedge really is a project that would not have been possible without the help and support of our friends, family, and community. We are so grateful to everyone who helped us along the way, whether it was by connecting us with our studio space, lending us a truck, letting us use their woodshop, proofreading, making test pieces and test tiles, filming a promo video, or just generally encouraging us every step of the way.
Wedge Community Clay is located at #103, 806 9th Street North. Visit www.wedgeclay.ca to learn more about the studio and programs offered.
Interested in learning more about local businesses in the Golden area? Visit our “Local Business” section to discover businesses from various industries!
