New pottery studio coming to the west side

The west side of Grand Rapids has a brand new pottery studio taking residence in a longtime vacant space at 750 Fulton St., next to The Bitter End Coffee House. 

The Clayground is aimed at novice and experienced potters alike, providing guided six-week courses, one time wheel throwing or hand building project classes. Clayground members will also be given 24/7 access to the studio. 

Stephanie Sloop, a past Pottery Lane GR employee, decided to fire up her own studio with a heavy emphasis on community and safety in creativity, hoping the studio can offer an environment for everyone. 

“It is so, so, so important to me that this is a safe and welcoming space. One of the biggest reasons I am starting it is just to make sure that potters and artists in West Michigan have a safe space to go,” Sloop said. “I wanted to branch out on my own and just wanted to foster a better sense of community, just make a warm and welcoming space for people.”

Previously occupied by Frank’s Meat Market, which has since moved, the available space at 750 Fulton had been empty for nearly five years. When Sloop met with the landlord of the space to finalize details, he informed her that a few other businesses had been turned away from the space, as he wanted something that was more community-focused. 

With Grand Rapids having only two other pottery studios, availability at both locations is scarce and both retain long wait lists. Sloop took this opportunity to provide a new space for growing pottery interest in the city.

“There's definitely a market for it so I am trying to get in on this community building and shape it the way I envision it,” Sloop said.

The Clayground has opened their early member sign-up, requiring members to have studio experience. Members will have their own unique door code to access the studio 24/7 to come in and create on their own time. The kiln firing will be done exclusively by Clayground staff on site. 

Stephanie is looking to hire additional staff to instruct guided courses that will provide potters an opportunity to build their skills and create one-of-a-kind works.

“I am more of a hand builder and I am still working on building my wheel throwing skills,” Stephanie said, “so I am going to need to hire somebody who can come in as a strong thrower and lead some of those more advanced classes.” 

After months of interior decoration and installations including equipment acquisition, a floor redesign and new window installations, the target open date is the second weekend in November.