USA Projects

We need your help!

My husband, fellow ceramist Doug Herren, and I always wanted to share our passion for clay with the people in our neighborhood. This summer, we have finally established a ceramics workshop in a donated space with some basic tools. We would like to make the workshops even better by raising $3500 to purchase a kiln for the students.

Our neighborhood is blue collar and predominantly Latino. The community has wrestled with drug trafficking for decades, and though this is an on-going battle, it has made us stronger. Many of the residents are homeowners deeply invested in the neighborhood; we have a town-watch initiative and social organizations that help the area in a wide range of fronts, from child care to home ownership. We wanted to join these community building programs with an art program of our own.

We have been given space within the neighborhood by the West Kensington Ministry in Norris Square Park to put together a small ceramic studio. Our plan is to give workshops during the summers now and make it a year round endeavor in the future. We began the first class this July with 7 students. It gives us great satisfaction to see the excitement with which the classes are received!

We were able to begin thanks to the Knight Foundation, whose support provided the electrical work, tools and materials. But we are far from finished. Our next step is getting a kiln, complete with ventilation system and housing. Your donation will make this dream a reality.

Thank you for your support!