This year is all about change, and adapting to the new. Even though the past six months have been incredibly challenging, I am, what feels like, on the other side.
The Covid pandemic has forced me to close my brick and mortar shop, my wholesale business plummeted, but I have seen customers shop online in greater numbers, and with kind words of support and encouragement.
I am in a new studio space, in a building populated by artists and entrepreneurs. For the first time since grad school, I feel part of an artist community where the building’s owner is invested in my success.
It has taken me two months to set up the new space, moving studio is much more work than moving my house. The kilns are finally working properly just last week, and I am back to making. It has taken me some time to establish a routine.
Here are some views of my new space, which I hope will be gleena’s home for a very long time. This is my seventh (lucky!) studio:
I have a nice showroom, where visitors are welcome, please make an appointment for a visit by emailing info@gleena.com, or calling 216-310-5718.
The making studio is naturally separated from the showroom by the layout of the space. It feels quite different from one side to the other. I like this very clear separateness.
The kiln goddess presides over all the firings, I created her in grad school almost 20 years ago.
My two kilns, Big and Thor, which I have had for about ten years. They are a pain to move, mostly because they are so very fragile. Luckily, over the years, I have learned to fix any electrical issues that might arise.
I was finally able to unpack my “remnant” series, an installation started in grad school, which I hope to continue exploring. Being in this space is urging me to create more sculpture.
The beginning of a sculpture, though the holiday season, which is a robber of free time, is right around the corner. I am hoping to have at least two pieces made by the end of the year.
I even have a small office, where I can catch up on computer work without getting clay all over the keyboard.
