New studio space for Cyan Clayworks

Aim

We are a non-profit ceramic studio and teaching space, and are relocating due to our current premises being redeveloped.

Who we are and what we do

Cyan Clayworks is a Community Interest Company established in 2012 by Fiona Thompson and Chris Donnelly. We both have over 25 years experience each as ceramic artists. Fiona makes handbuilt vessels with multiple layered surface imagery, and is a graduate of both Edinburgh College of Art and the University of Sunderland. Chris focuses on functional pots for the home, and studied ceramics in his home city of Calgary, Canada and Novia Scotia College of Art & Design. He moved to the UK in 2002. We’ve been based at Beaverhall Studios in Edinburgh for 11 years, offering a range of ceramic related educational activities for adults along side our own individual artistic practices. 

As Beaverhall is due to be demolished later this year to make way for flats, we’ve been looking for suitable properties to rent for several months. Although it has worked well for us being in a bigger studio complex alongside other creatives, we’re now really keen to move to a different kind of space so that we can develop some aspects of what we do further. In January we found the property at Commercial Street in Leith, and knew straight away it would be the perfect fit for what we want to do. 

Our vision

Having a more public facing studio will open up other possibilities for having occasional pop-up events to exhibit/see our own work, and we will have a permanent window display of our work with all the other activities in the rest of the space. At Beaverhall we have had several open studio events, which have been very successful; the public enjoy getting to see behind the scenes of a working studio. Our ethos is that our studio and services are ‘artist-run’, and that students can see our own work in progress as part of their learning experience. 

The new premises are in a thriving creative part of the city, and I think we could integrate well into the local community. The location of where we move to is crucial. One with good public transport links, a range of other independent businesses and creative spaces nearby. We need a welcoming attractive space, and one that can showcase our own work as well as encourage new clients. Somewhere that is easy to find, in a safe area with lots of other local amenities is important.

The space would be divided up into sections: our own workspace, storage in the basement, the public workspace and a small front display area. There is a large front window, and we will be self contained, adjacent to other small businesses. 

As at Beaverhall, in the new studio we will continue to offer individual tuition, group workshops, specialist workshops and weekly evening classes. Some of our students are complete beginners, others have previous experience. Over the years we have worked with individual artists and tutors to develop their professional skills and practical knowledge, and also with those who wish to set up their own studio.There is an untutored membership for those who can work independently, and they pay a monthly fee. In the new place we hope to expand the membership to offer more spaces. 

It is unfortunate that Beaverhall Studios will be no more, and its been quite a challenge to find another suitable and affordable space. However we are seeing it as a chance to move forwards and refine what we do. Like most other artists, we are used to being flexible and adapting to new circumstances. Its an exciting opportunity to build upon what we have created over the last 11 years. Our lease for 5 Commercial Street is signed, and it will start on June 1st! 

Especially as there are very few places left to study ceramics at degree level, its more important than ever to continue to offer a creative environment to learn. Working with clay can be highly therapeutic and offers a perfect antidote to the stresses and pace of contemporary life. We hope to have a positive impact on the immediate community as well as on our students. 

Why crowdfunding? 

Moving studio is a costly process. We have applied for other funding to cover the costs, but were unsuccessful (there is a great deal of competition for social enterprise funding). There will need to be an overlap between leaving our current place and setting up our new place, and of course a gap in our regular income as will need to pause the courses until everything is set up.  

The breakdown of the main essential costs is outlined below (some are estimates):

Deposit for property £3000

Moving costs removals  £250

Flooring £1500

Wiring in kilns £500

Graphic design and signage for the front £1200

 Skip hire £100

Total £6550

 Rewards

We have a number of exciting things on offer, including unique ceramic pieces made specifically for this campaign, some bigger pots of Fiona's, and a selection of vouchers and course places. You can find further details on Chris's reward pieces here and more on Fiona's rewards here. 

 And finally...

We would like to thank everyone in advance for supporting our studio and helping us to relocate! Its going to be an exciting new chapter for Cyan Clayworks and we look forward to welcoming our students and visitors. 

This project successfully funded on 1st May 2023