thank you reena!

last weekend i went to my hometown to celebrate and honor one of my heroes, Reena Kashyap.  it was the annual benefit for the clay art center, which this year honored Reena, who stepped down recently as executive director.  this woman is amazing, for those of you who don't already know. despite the traffic that made me 2 hours late and almost miss the event, i was glad to have at least been there for the part where everyone spoke about Reena.  also i'm glad i got to see her and give her a hug.  she doesn't know it, but she is one of the biggest and best reasons i am still working in clay.  and even if she did know it she would act like its no big deal. but it is to me.

growing up in rye, ny i had worked at the clay art center in the 80's when it was owned by elsbeth woody, who i never met as she was always traveling, and the studio was run by a couple of guys from nyc, i believe.  i did a work exchange there and was responsible for cleaning one of the big downstairs rooms, which was then just a huge, dark, mostly empty room. "cleaning" was kind of a futile exersize given the condition of the room, but i think they were just trying to find something for me to do...now that space is cleaned up, well lit, and houses many working artists, thanks to Reena.  i made a few things there during that summer, but the clay art center at that time was just a shadow of what it is today.  under Reena's guidance and unwavering effort, enthusiasm and hard work the studio has grown and flourished in amazing ways.   

sick of my desk jobs, i became determined to attempt a life in clay.  i pretty much cold called CAC from colorado, where i was living at the time, thinking it would be the same as when i had worked there before, but i was in for a huge surprise.  there were new folks in charge.  my call got connected to Reena, and i told her what i wanted to do, that i had worked there in the past, and i asked if i could come do a similar work exchange as i had before.  she said i could come, and to come see her when i got to ny.  it was a short and simple conversation, but because of it i packed up my things, said goodbye to colorado, and drove the 33 hours home.  it was kind of a crapshoot, really.  there was no guarantee that she would have space for me, and i think she was surprised when a month later i showed up in the office, ready to go.

there was no studio space available for me to use when i got there, so she let me work in the classroom in exchange for helping out with a few classes. the place had been completely overhauled!  there were studio spaces upstairs and down, the old apartment had been turned into offices and a community kitchen space, the big dark room i used to sweep was now a giant studio buzzing with about 10 or so studio spaces, and there was a gallery and a classroom.  the glaze and kiln rooms were the same, but now things were happening and everyone was making and energized about clay.  there were people all over the place making things and talking about making things. i was blown away.  it wasn't just a big open space with a few folks milling about...it was a hive of activity.  after a few weeks i knew i had found my place and my people.  it makes me tear up even now, some 13 years later.  it changed my life forever!

i worked in the studio for 2 years, getting my portfolio together to apply to grad school.  it was such an amazing time for me.  i learned so much, from so many people, some of whom i am lucky enough to still have in my life. but, i am forever grateful to Reena, for not only did she give me space to work, but she actively took a role in making sure i learned as much as i could while there.  she let me teach classes, she introduced me to established artists, she opened my eyes.  and i'm not the only one she has done this for.  there are countless others who have had the chance to learn and be supported by her.  she created a welcoming and inclusive community that fosters the sharing of knowledge and love of ceramics. her enthusiasm is infectious.  i haven't even touched on her community outreach efforts, which extend far and wide, and have brought clay to so many people who otherwise would have no means to access it, let alone know that they wanted to! 


in her speech last week Reena said "take a clay class and you can live forever."  she will live forever in my heart, and judging by the turnout of the event, many other's hearts as well.

i am so grateful for my time at the clay art center.  i am lucky that i got to experience the energy and education that was going on as a result of Reena's efforts. being in the room at the benefit with so many familiar faces from that time, and seeing so many new ones, made me realize how truly blessed i was to be taken under her wing, if only for a short time.  i wish i knew back then what was really happening, because i would not have taken one second for granted.  i didn't know how good i had it! i miss CAC every day for so many reasons, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.  i wouldn't be where i am without it.

THANK YOU REENA!!