Danielle~The Clay Lady and Tami Archer purchased Mid-South Ceramic Supply Company in 2007. By 2010, the Pottery Studio expanded, growing from 25 students to 150 students. Due to the increase in these students’ skill level, Danielle wanted to offer them an even better opportunity for creative growth. These artists needed more than just a class but weren’t ready or able to setup an in-home studio. At this juncture, the building next door to Mid-South Ceramic Supply became available, and thus The Clay Lady’s Resident Artist Community began.

The entire building was made ready by a core group of eight artists (all were students from the studio) and by Habitat for Humanity ReStore! The artists came in every day for five weeks to paint, scrape, scrub, demolish and build what was needed to create a home for artists’ private studios and galleries where they could sell their work. Currently, this program has expanded into other buildings for even more opportunities for artists.