Click here to visit Planet SARK.
The studio that I work at is a wonderful place called Mudfire. It’s an open studio where the artists can come and work whenever we want to. But it’s much more, it’s also an open community where people share ideas, techniques, supplies, dreams and part of their lives.
When teaching new members how to clean up, Erik, one of the owners has said “think of this place as a state park; you want to leave it a little bit better than you found it.” Not only is the studio very clean but, as is the state park, it is a place of wonder and joy and adult fun. I don’t think I’ve ever been there when I’ve not heard laughter. It’s like a playground for adults.
The other day I was trimming some pots on a wheel that was situated next to my friend Marci. Marci is a woman filled with knowledge about art and wisdom about life and she is happy to share. After many years of creating she is still always experimenting with glazes and slips, trying to get just the right effect. Since we were both trimming I told her not to worry about sweeping the floor as I would do it when I swept up my scraps. As I was sweeping Pete, who was sitting on my other side, started washing down the work bench, since he was doing his area he just continued on to my space also. Nancy seemed to be done working at the same time and mopped around her wheel and Pete’s and I’m sure someone cleaned up something of Nancy’s while cleaning their own space. I’ve worked in teams in offices and not seen such a display of teamwork and sharing. It is a community and I love it. The world would be a better place if more communities functioned as such.
Social Links