Clay for Kids Nominations!

We are accepting nominations for a “Clay for Kids” Mobile Studio Visit, where we will provide a no-cost mobile clay studio visit to a Manchester non-profit that works with under-served children who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to work with clay.

Nominations are due via e-mail to info@550arts.com by December 24th, by 9PM. Organizations may self-nominate. Nominations consist of the organization’s name, a contact person within that organization, and a few sentences about what the organization does and why they would benefit from the clay studio visit.

The recipient organization will be announced Christmas Day.

The Clay for Kids Fund was started when Studio 550 opened two years ago. The Studio is a firm believer that “art is for everyone” regardless of experience, age, or finances. Thus, since opening, a portion of every full priced adult studio class registration (such as pottery, drawing, stained glass, book arts, or painting) has been reserved for the Clay for Kids fund. This way, when an adult takes a class at the Studio, a child wins a unique art experience down the line.

New Workshops: Printmaking on Clay & Build your own Succulent Terrarium

We have two exciting workshops coming up in December. One is visiting artist Megan Mitchell, who will be teaching different processes for printing on clay. The second one is a build-your-own Terrarium workshop.

DID YOU FIND A MONSTER?

August 4th, Studio 550 Art Center will have released 100 little red clay Monsters into the city. The Monsters will be concentrated in the heart of downtown between Bridge and Granite on Elm, and then a couple side streets. All Monsters will be placed in public places with a lot of foot traffic and in locations that are easily visible to pedestrians. Typically, Monsters like to hide in places that people see every day, but just do not usually have a reason to keep looking: a windowsill, the corner of a bench, or a flower planter are all places Monsters like to hide, but they could be anywhere.

The purpose of this activity is just to have fun while encouraging residents to slow down, play like a kid, and walk their city streets in search of the out-of-the-ordinary.

Monster Finders who show their monster at Studio 550 and The Dancing Lion Chocolate Shop will be rewarded. Monsters Finders keep their Monster and their reward from both places. At Studio 550, Monster Finders draw a prize from a Mystery Pot that contains rewards ranging from Studio 550 merchandise, to handmade ceramics, to a Grand Prize of a free Fall Pottery Class. At Dancing Lion Chocolate, Monster Finders receive a beautifully crafted chocolate coin. Monster Finders will also be entered into a chance to win a giant chocolate monster egg.

There is also one White Albino Monster in the mix. Whoever finds that one wins a free Date Night in the Pottery Studio at Studio 550.

The event is free to the public. Monster Finders are asked to only take one so that other Monster Seekers can find one as well. Each monster has a purple dot with an ID number inside. Monster Seekers and Finders are encouraged to share what they discover on the Studio 550 Facebook page.

For more information, see www.550arts.com, call 603.232.5597 or stop by the studio at 550 Elm St. in Manchester, NH.

“Try it!” workshops every Saturday

Starting March 22nd we will host weekend workshops every Saturday so people can try our classes out before registering for a 10-week full length course.

The Clay Workshop will run Saturdays from 3-6PM and 6-9PM
The Stained Glass Workshop will run Saturdays 1-4PM

In the clay workshop participants will try handbuilding techniques (i.e. coil, slab, and pinch) for the first half and wheel throwing for the second half. In the glass workshop, participants will make a suncatcher from start to finish.

It’s Date Night every Friday and Saturday in February!

This is the month for it! Come learn how to throw on the wheel side by side in the pottery studio. You can register for an early session (6-7:30) or a late session (7:30-9). We will also take reservations by request! $60 includes everything for a couple.