As promised, this is the latest update on our studio! Our application was filed with the NYS Department of State for 501(c)7 status as a not for profit hobby club. The name of our club is Waterbrook Potters Studio Inc.
Our new landlord will draw up a 3-year lease at 406 9th Avenue, Watervliet, which we hope to have in place for Dec 1 or Dec 15. Tax forms, zoning forms, bank account, and liability insurance policies are our tasks for next week. Our bylaws are written and our first board was nominated. We give a heartfelt welcome to Maureen Hanley, Melissa Sathavipat, and Isabella Corcione who will be leading us forward. Many opportunities exist for your involvement on committees. We will need help packing and moving!
As with any new venture, we need to raise money for the studio start up: security deposit for the landlord, filing fees, moving costs, purchasing studio equipment from Barbara which includes10 new wheels, 3 new kilns and kiln furniture, accountant costs and accounting software for the club, electrician costs for installation of the kilns ($2600! but we got the landlord to pay for half of that!) Which leads us to asking for donations and commitments to join as members.
Our Finance Strategy includes a capital campaign for donations, and signing up members!
We estimate that we need 35K to 40K to cover the above costs. After that, our monthly expenses will be covered with the monthly studio membership payments; we hope at least 30 members will sign up soon!
Your donation will help to create and sustain this “By Potters, For Potters” initiative. Donations will NOT be tax deductible, even though we are a non-profit, we are not considered a charitable organization. You will have the pleasure of knowing we could not do this without your help, and celebrate with our potter-community for years to come! Checks can be made out to Waterbrook Potters Studio Inc. We will set up a Go Fund me page once we have Facebook and Instagram set up.
Memberships:
Full Studio membership is $90.00 per month. This includes 24-hour access, kiln firing (with exception of high volume ), discounted rates for classes, and clay/ materials bulk purchasing.
Associate membership is $150.00 annually. This includes access to the studio for bulk clay purchases, ability to bring in work to be fired at a reasonable cost, and discounted rates for classes.
Once we are operational, we are planning a wonderful array of workshops and classes. We also plan to host Collar City Clay Guild meetings and events. Barbara Reeley will be our Potter Emeritus with personal studio space; with her guidance we will strive to continue the legacy of the clay community that she and Dennis helped to build over the years.
OPEN HOUSE NOVEMBER 16 and 17, from noon to 3pm. Come and see the space, ask questions, sign up, donate if you can (checks can be made payable to Waterbrook Potters Studio Inc.). Light refreshments provided.
We look forward to hearing from you about donations if you can help, as well as your membership interest. We need your support to literally move forward. Please share this information widely. Questions can be addressed to:
Maureen Hanley mhanleyehmann@frontiernet.net
Isabella Corcione isabellarose.corcione@gmail.com
Elizabeth Donovan edonovan5@nycap.rr.com
Cherie Bramley mintzgirl@gmail.com
Melissa Sathavipat msathavi@gmail.com