Most of you are aware that we announced the closure of Mud Matters due to the devastating financial impact of the extended pandemic on our businesses. In December, it was painfully clear that we could no longer afford the high expenses of keeping the studio running with such restrictions necessary for the safety of our customers.
During January, our students and members who had recently returned finished up their work and we said some very sad goodbyes to so many wonderful friends and customers. We finished firing the kilns and cleared out all the pottery. We sold a lot of equipment. This impending closure was such a tragic event for us, for all of you, and for the Hell's Kitchen community and beyond. We received so many nice messages — including from a studio in New Zealand — telling us what the studio has meant to them and lamenting (along with us) the closure.
But good fortune shined on Mud Matters in its final hours. AND we are pleased to report that, while Mud Matters will indeed be closed for studio and studio member work, we will be back in January 2022. In the meanwhile, we managed to sublease the space and nearly all of our equipment to a pair of ceramic artists who will use the space as a production studio. Â
This temporary reprieve from the financial burdens of running a full service community studio during the pandemic is such welcome news.
We hope you will keep in touch with us and watch for announcements of our re-opening. In the meanwhile, please consider supporting La Mano Pottery by joining as a studio member or a student. We hope to continue to operate at the current modified level and, as covid-restrictions loosen, we intend to bring back more courses and studio time.
Sending you our very best wishes for your safety and health. We look forward to sharing many creative hours with you and others in the future.
See you soon,
Diane, Julie and Peggy
Co-Owners
Mud MattersÂ