May 14, 2025 Studio Expansion

May 14, 2025

Now that we confirmed the expansion into the space next door, I had to confirm the build-out. I got the floor plans from the property manager and confirmed that space did not have flooding issues. I have spent countless hours figuring out a layout so that our soon-to-be expanded space could fit three classrooms and a Resident Artist space.

We finally got to tour the space and found out the floor plans I had were not accurate. Changes had been made and walls were added since those floor plans were sketched. However, I had planned so many things down to the fit of fixtures and sinks, that I was able to think quickly on my toes and make adjustments in real time.

Yes, if you read between the lines, we agreed to expanding into the space sight unseen. Not a business practice I would recommend for others, but I have been in the other spaces in the plaza and was very confident as to what shape it was in. Also, our property manager, Joe Lorio, is the absolute best! He has taken really good care of us since the moment I met him, through the build-out of our current location, and any building related problems that have arisen since.

After knowing how much it was going to cost to convert the warehouse we were considering, the construction of expanding next door felt doable, still high, but doable. Once seeing the space, we were able to cut that cost down by keeping some of the walls up. The biggest surprise was that there were indications that plumbing was already done in a few places and we could adjust our floor plan to utilize those.

With the costs of construction looming and the expansion happening a full year earlier than we have planned, we know we need help to make this a reality.

Our tech guy who I call our Website Warrior is setting up a crowdfunding campaign to engage our members, our local community and national and international supporters of the arts, to be a part of this growth of ceramic arts in our area.

We are now on our way to expanding next door!