The team at a Cliftonville studio which offers classes in pottery, ceramics and sculpture have launched a fundraiser to renovate a new and bigger venue.
Clayspace has operated as a not-for-profit social enterprise from its studio in Northdown Road for seven years but now they are on the move to a building in Ethelbert Road.
The new site, which was once a bakery but has been used as garages for some 30 years, will mean more space and the opportunity to make sure it is accessible for all.
Clayspace was the creation of Ian Parsons and Bridget McVey who moved to Margate after visiting for the weekend in 2014.
Since then the enterprise has expanded with former class attendee Violet Shaw becoming part of the team and then a director.
The studio also has eight part-time teachers and Andy Potter who creates sculptures and raised the money to buy Clayspace a potters’ wheel a few years ago.
On the fundraising page Ian and Bridget say: “We’ve been really happy on the Northdown Road but the building isn’t as practical or functional as we need, and the opportunity is here for us to move just around the corner into a space on Ethelbert Road that’s full of potential.
“It needs a lot of love but it will allow us to create a truly accessible space where we will be able to welcome everyone in our wonderful community.”
The team fundraiser aims to help with the set-up costs so they can continue running their classes and courses for the community.
The building needs insulation, wiring, lighting, heating, plumbing and flooring to make it a welcoming and accessible space and to make it as sustainable and energy efficient as possible.
There’s room for a wheelchair accessible toilet and space in the studio for people with limited mobility to get comfortable and creative.
The Clayspace team has worked with schools in Thanet, including St Anthony’s, Bradstow, Palm Bay Primary, and Drapers Mills.
They have also run workshops with organisations including The Garden Gate Project, Ageless Thanet, East Kent Mencap, Ethelbert Children’s services, Pilgrims Hospice and Margate Pride.
The pair say: “Better and safer access in the new building will allow us to reach members of the community who would not have been able to use the previous studio.”
Clayspace, which started rent payments for the new site this month, has started clearing the space, ripping out old wiring and opening up some of the blocked off windows. They hope to open in January.
The fundraiser has a £20,000 target and there are rewards on offer for certain donation amounts.
Its great that Margate is being transformed. I love how art and culture create a future for this town.
Run a business
Make a profit
Use profit to invest in business
Repeat
Or
Sponge off others
If they have been running for seven years and now need bigger premises, the business must be doing well . . .
If they need to raise £20,000 to move, they can’t be doing THAT well…
According to their last returns to Companies House, they had over £20,000 in the bank . . .
i wish i had spotted this “art” scam years ago and jumped on the gravy train
Oh goody, more art!!
Usual sarcasm. What do you want?? Homes full of asylum seekers like in the not so distant past, and drug rehabilitation units, halfway homes etc.!!! some People are so hard to please- never happy unless they are unhappy!
I’m very happy, thank you.
I don’t live in Cliftonville/Margate.
I am happy with that too.
And me …
Glad we’re all happy. : )
This country welcomes asylum seekers.
People hold demonstrations with banners stating ”asylum seekers welcome here”
Our Immigration, Naval and Lifeboat services facilitate asylum seekers reaching our shores safely.
Therefore we need to create more accommodation for asylum seekers and stop creating art galleries and workshops.
Sedition
They’ve been around 8 years, have fairly modest aims in terms of funding, work with a lot of useful organisations and all sorts of people … I can’t see anything particularly pretentious about this outfit and wish them well.
Sorry have contributed to the ramsgate arts barge funding, wont have any spare cash untill next tax year.
Good luck thou but i and top shelf tina (works in local boozer) think anymore arty type places are not helping the narrative.
Really need businesses employing full time staff and paying business rates, the bubble is at bursting pressure. Said tina.
“Top shelf Tina” sounds like a character in a Benny Hill song!!
I hope they get the 20k.
How much have you donated?
I reckon there is a lot of wages being paid to the directors of these charities…. Think on b4 u donate.
I wouldn’t donate to support a business I’d never use (or even one I would use… can you imagine a greengrocers or butchers asking for funding to move into bigger premises?!).