Transitioning from a private studio to a community clay studio two years ago has brought connection, collaboration, and growth to this bustling creative space in the heart of San Diego.
Studio location: San Diego, California
When was the studio established? 2024
Business structure—co-op, nonprofit, private? Private studio.
How many staff keep the studio running smoothly? A small core team of approximately ten staff members and instructors.
Do members contribute to the studio upkeep? While regular studio maintenance and kiln operations are managed by staff, members contribute by caring for shared spaces, supporting community events, and helping cultivate the welcoming environment that defines Tao of Clay.
How many members does the studio host? Approximately 85 active members
How many non-member students use the space? Several hundred students participate throughout the year through workshops and multi-week classes. Additionally, we host community events and ceramic sales that can bring artists, ceramicists, and hundreds of guests, bringing our annual foot traffic to upward of thousands of people.
Does the studio include a gallery space or host exhibitions? This year, we launched a quarterly rotating gallery with work for sale by instructors, members, and invited artists. We regularly host guest artists and feature their work and techniques throughout our space and curriculum.
What resources are available to the community beyond classes—residencies, open firings, events, etc.? Tao of Clay is located in San Diego in the vibrant historic neighborhood of Barrio Logan, a designated California Cultural District, home to the world-famous Chicano Park murals and a thriving arts scene and food destination. Beyond classes, Tao of Clay offers memberships, artist talks, marketplace opportunities, guest artist workshops with nationally and internationally recognized ceramic artists, community events, and collaborative dinners in the studio using handmade tableware that bring together artists, chefs, and local creatives. We see the studio as a cultural gathering space as much as a classroom.
Just last week, our members organized an ice cream sundae social entirely on their own. Everyone brought ice cream and toppings, and we spent the afternoon together making sundaes. It was a simple event, but it reflected exactly the kind of community we hope to foster.
Tao of Soup is a fundraiser for Kitchens For Good where guests purchase bowls made by our members and enjoy soups donated by local restaurants, and the proceeds support culinary education to secure employment.
We also host two pottery sales each year featuring members, staff, and invited local artists. We teach workshops at museums, local businesses, craft centers, and other community spaces. All of these activities help strengthen the sense of community that has become such an important part of Tao of Clay.
What is your background with clay? As an economics major in college, I took an introductory ceramics class and fell in love the very first night I saw someone throwing on the wheel. Fortunately for me, Paul Soldner was teaching at Scripps College, and as a student at Pitzer College, I had the opportunity to study with Paul as an undergraduate. Paul was a wonderful teacher who had a unique approach to both teaching and ceramics that fit very well with who I was as a person. I simply fell in love with his approach.
After graduate school, I stopped working with clay for about ten years and studied Hakomi Therapy, a present-centered psychotherapy that uses your present moment experience as a way of understanding and developing yourself. During that time, I realized that ceramics offered a unique opportunity to integrate the principles of Hakomi into the ceramic process. Hakomi is deeply connected to Taoism and borrows many of its principles, so there is a close relationship between the two. It’s how I came to the name Tao of Clay.
Prior to Tao of Clay, I worked as a production potter, accepted both hospitality and residential commissions, and operated my own artist’s studio, Josh Herman Ceramics. About four years ago, I began transitioning the studio from a production facility and private artist’s studio into a community studio. It was a significant process that took several years, but here we are. Tao of Clay has now been open for about two years.
What made you want to provide a space like this in your community? Part of it was for myself. I had always been interested in teaching and wanted to discover whether I would enjoy it (I do!). I also saw the potential for ceramics to become much more than a form of creative expression. I believed it could also become a vehicle for personal development, and that had always been a dream of mine.
Tao of Clay has become a laboratory where I can continue exploring how to integrate clay with the principles of Hakomi. It has certainly not been an easy process, but I continue to learn, grow, and develop through it, and it has been a meaningful project. Clay naturally encourages people to slow down, embrace imperfection, and engage deeply with process, and I wanted to create a space for others that encouraged that.
One of the things I enjoy most is that I have the opportunity to intentionally shape the culture and vision of the studio. The community reflects values that are deeply important to me, including collaboration, mindfulness, kindness, mutual support, learning, growth, and having fun together. The idea that I could help create a community built around those values was incredibly exciting, and it continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
What is the most rewarding part of operating a community-focused space? The most rewarding part is seeing people make friends and grow as ceramic artists. I love watching someone come into the studio having never thrown on the wheel before, struggle through those first attempts, complete one of our introductory courses, and then discover that they can actually do it. They leave with successful work, a huge smile on their face, and a real sense of accomplishment. That is an incredibly rewarding experience to witness.
More than anything, I enjoy seeing people happy and watching the community thrive. It is deeply nourishing for me as a person. It is also very satisfying to see an idea that began as a vision grow into something far beyond what I ever imagined. Tao of Clay has exceeded my wildest expectations.
I often say that I pinch myself every day when I walk into the studio because it is such a wonderful environment filled with wonderful people. Even on my days off, I find myself coming back because it is simply where I most enjoy spending my time.
What are some of the challenges you have faced or discovered since opening? Ceramics is a very process-driven discipline, so operating a community studio requires a tremendous number of systems and procedures. There is a constant flow of clay through the studio, from making, to reclaiming, to firing, to glazing, and finally back to the members. Every part of that process has to be carefully thought out and organized. Balancing growth while protecting the culture we’ve worked hard to build has been our greatest challenge. Maintaining an organized, clean, and efficient environment requires ongoing attention, planning, and hard work. As demand increases, we’re constantly asking how we can welcome more people without losing the intimacy, quality of instruction, cleanliness, and our highest priority, the sense of community that makes the space special.
One tip/piece of advice on cultivating a thriving studio? To thrive, the owner of the studio has to genuinely love clay. If someone opens a studio but is rarely there and is not actively making ceramics, that communicates something about the studio’s values. I believe it is important for the owner to be an active part of the community, to demonstrate a genuine love of ceramics, to continue learning alongside everyone else, and to be involved in every aspect of the studio.
If you offer classes, make sure they are taught in a way that reflects your own values and philosophy. Be clear about the mission of your studio and the culture you want to create, then build policies that support and reinforce that mission. Everything should communicate the same message.
One goal for the future? We have so many ideas at Tao of Clay that we constantly have to remind ourselves to take things one step at a time.
One project I am especially excited about is our teacher training program. We see many studios looking for qualified teachers, but there is really no established standard for what makes someone an excellent ceramics instructor. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive professional training program that goes beyond the technical aspects of clay. We want to teach not only how to join two pieces of clay together, but also how to guide students through the emotional and psychological aspects of the creative process.
Graduates of the program will receive certification, giving studios confidence that they have completed a rigorous and thoughtful training. That is one of many exciting projects we hope to develop. There are countless other possibilities, but we have learned to let opportunities unfold naturally before committing to them. We simply take one step at a time.
One last piece of advice. Most people realize that ceramics is a form of meditation, whether you choose to call it that or not. Ceramics requires a particular quality of attention. Over time, I have realized that the object is almost secondary. The bowl, sculpture, or cup matters, but what matters even more is who the maker becomes through the process of making it. Clay has an extraordinary way of revealing our habits, our fears, our impatience, our creativity, and our capacity for presence. I encourage people to pay attention to what they are experiencing while they work. Notice your impulses, your reactions, and your emotional responses. Focus on the unfolding process of making rather than becoming fixated on the finished object.
Ironically, when you shift your attention away from the final product and toward the creative process itself, the quality of your work often improves as well.
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Transitioning from a private studio to a community clay studio two years ago has brought connection, collaboration, and growth to this bustling creative space in the heart of San Diego.
Studio location:
San Diego, California
When was the studio established?
2024
Business structure—co-op, nonprofit, private?
Private studio.
How many staff keep the studio running smoothly?
A small core team of approximately ten staff members and instructors.
Do members contribute to the studio upkeep?
While regular studio maintenance and kiln operations are managed by staff, members contribute by caring for shared spaces, supporting community events, and helping cultivate the welcoming environment that defines Tao of Clay.
How many members does the studio host?
Approximately 85 active members
How many non-member students use the space?
Several hundred students participate throughout the year through workshops and multi-week classes. Additionally, we host community events and ceramic sales that can bring artists, ceramicists, and hundreds of guests, bringing our annual foot traffic to upward of thousands of people.
Does the studio include a gallery space or host exhibitions?
This year, we launched a quarterly rotating gallery with work for sale by instructors, members, and invited artists. We regularly host guest artists and feature their work and techniques throughout our space and curriculum.
What resources are available to the community beyond classes—residencies, open firings, events, etc.?
Tao of Clay is located in San Diego in the vibrant historic neighborhood of Barrio Logan, a designated California Cultural District, home to the world-famous Chicano Park murals and a thriving arts scene and food destination. Beyond classes, Tao of Clay offers memberships, artist talks, marketplace opportunities, guest artist workshops with nationally and internationally recognized ceramic artists, community events, and collaborative dinners in the studio using handmade tableware that bring together artists, chefs, and local creatives. We see the studio as a cultural gathering space as much as a classroom.
Just last week, our members organized an ice cream sundae social entirely on their own. Everyone brought ice cream and toppings, and we spent the afternoon together making sundaes. It was a simple event, but it reflected exactly the kind of community we hope to foster.
Tao of Soup is a fundraiser for Kitchens For Good where guests purchase bowls made by our members and enjoy soups donated by local restaurants, and the proceeds support culinary education to secure employment.
We also host two pottery sales each year featuring members, staff, and invited local artists. We teach workshops at museums, local businesses, craft centers, and other community spaces. All of these activities help strengthen the sense of community that has become such an important part of Tao of Clay.
What is your background with clay?
As an economics major in college, I took an introductory ceramics class and fell in love the very first night I saw someone throwing on the wheel. Fortunately for me, Paul Soldner was teaching at Scripps College, and as a student at Pitzer College, I had the opportunity to study with Paul as an undergraduate. Paul was a wonderful teacher who had a unique approach to both teaching and ceramics that fit very well with who I was as a person. I simply fell in love with his approach.
After graduate school, I stopped working with clay for about ten years and studied Hakomi Therapy, a present-centered psychotherapy that uses your present moment experience as a way of understanding and developing yourself. During that time, I realized that ceramics offered a unique opportunity to integrate the principles of Hakomi into the ceramic process. Hakomi is deeply connected to Taoism and borrows many of its principles, so there is a close relationship between the two. It’s how I came to the name Tao of Clay.
Prior to Tao of Clay, I worked as a production potter, accepted both hospitality and residential commissions, and operated my own artist’s studio, Josh Herman Ceramics. About four years ago, I began transitioning the studio from a production facility and private artist’s studio into a community studio. It was a significant process that took several years, but here we are. Tao of Clay has now been open for about two years.
What made you want to provide a space like this in your community?
Part of it was for myself. I had always been interested in teaching and wanted to discover whether I would enjoy it (I do!). I also saw the potential for ceramics to become much more than a form of creative expression. I believed it could also become a vehicle for personal development, and that had always been a dream of mine.
Tao of Clay has become a laboratory where I can continue exploring how to integrate clay with the principles of Hakomi. It has certainly not been an easy process, but I continue to learn, grow, and develop through it, and it has been a meaningful project. Clay naturally encourages people to slow down, embrace imperfection, and engage deeply with process, and I wanted to create a space for others that encouraged that.
One of the things I enjoy most is that I have the opportunity to intentionally shape the culture and vision of the studio. The community reflects values that are deeply important to me, including collaboration, mindfulness, kindness, mutual support, learning, growth, and having fun together. The idea that I could help create a community built around those values was incredibly exciting, and it continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
What is the most rewarding part of operating a community-focused space?
The most rewarding part is seeing people make friends and grow as ceramic artists. I love watching someone come into the studio having never thrown on the wheel before, struggle through those first attempts, complete one of our introductory courses, and then discover that they can actually do it. They leave with successful work, a huge smile on their face, and a real sense of accomplishment. That is an incredibly rewarding experience to witness.
More than anything, I enjoy seeing people happy and watching the community thrive. It is deeply nourishing for me as a person. It is also very satisfying to see an idea that began as a vision grow into something far beyond what I ever imagined. Tao of Clay has exceeded my wildest expectations.
I often say that I pinch myself every day when I walk into the studio because it is such a wonderful environment filled with wonderful people. Even on my days off, I find myself coming back because it is simply where I most enjoy spending my time.
What are some of the challenges you have faced or discovered since opening?
Ceramics is a very process-driven discipline, so operating a community studio requires a tremendous number of systems and procedures. There is a constant flow of clay through the studio, from making, to reclaiming, to firing, to glazing, and finally back to the members. Every part of that process has to be carefully thought out and organized. Balancing growth while protecting the culture we’ve worked hard to build has been our greatest challenge. Maintaining an organized, clean, and efficient environment requires ongoing attention, planning, and hard work. As demand increases, we’re constantly asking how we can welcome more people without losing the intimacy, quality of instruction, cleanliness, and our highest priority, the sense of community that makes the space special.
One tip/piece of advice on cultivating a thriving studio?
To thrive, the owner of the studio has to genuinely love clay. If someone opens a studio but is rarely there and is not actively making ceramics, that communicates something about the studio’s values. I believe it is important for the owner to be an active part of the community, to demonstrate a genuine love of ceramics, to continue learning alongside everyone else, and to be involved in every aspect of the studio.
If you offer classes, make sure they are taught in a way that reflects your own values and philosophy. Be clear about the mission of your studio and the culture you want to create, then build policies that support and reinforce that mission. Everything should communicate the same message.
One goal for the future?
We have so many ideas at Tao of Clay that we constantly have to remind ourselves to take things one step at a time.
One project I am especially excited about is our teacher training program. We see many studios looking for qualified teachers, but there is really no established standard for what makes someone an excellent ceramics instructor. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive professional training program that goes beyond the technical aspects of clay. We want to teach not only how to join two pieces of clay together, but also how to guide students through the emotional and psychological aspects of the creative process.
Graduates of the program will receive certification, giving studios confidence that they have completed a rigorous and thoughtful training. That is one of many exciting projects we hope to develop. There are countless other possibilities, but we have learned to let opportunities unfold naturally before committing to them. We simply take one step at a time.
One last piece of advice.
Most people realize that ceramics is a form of meditation, whether you choose to call it that or not. Ceramics requires a particular quality of attention. Over time, I have realized that the object is almost secondary. The bowl, sculpture, or cup matters, but what matters even more is who the maker becomes through the process of making it. Clay has an extraordinary way of revealing our habits, our fears, our impatience, our creativity, and our capacity for presence. I encourage people to pay attention to what they are experiencing while they work. Notice your impulses, your reactions, and your emotional responses. Focus on the unfolding process of making rather than becoming fixated on the finished object.
Ironically, when you shift your attention away from the final product and toward the creative process itself, the quality of your work often improves as well.
Social handles and website:
@taoofclaysd | www.taoofclay.com
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