The Experience
From the moment you walk through the doors of The Clay Studio, you know you’re in for something different. The entryway is ablaze with a riotous smashed-pottery-and-broken-mirrors concoction typical of local artist, Isaiah Zagar.
Inside, things are a bit more serene, though no less creative. Resting on the white pedestals of the Studio and perched on its walls, you might find the gold-and-lapis-hued teapots of Heeseung Lee, who draws inspiration from vintage Japanese kimonos and Korean landscapes.
Or you might discover the anthropomorphic, raku-fired ewers of Kris Nelson or the whimsical, metal-inspired vessels of Hayne Bayless. Best of all, the works here — and in an adjacent shop — are for sale. Stop by on the first Friday evening of each month when Old City galleries like this one host an open house.
History
Founded in Old City 33 years ago as an artist collective, The Clay Studio continues to shape the future of ceramics and as such can count itself a key player in the development of the booming art gallery district in Old City.
The studio offers a home to hundreds of artists each year, providing residencies for promising emerging artists as well as a communal studio for local Philadelphia artists. The Clay Studio has also been home to seven major international exhibitions and artistic works of more than 35 different countries.