Tracie’s Aboriginal-inspired pottery is a brightly-colored celebration of Indigenous Australian culture.

Studio Owner Tracie Koeplin displays her work and work in progress.

 

VISION

Clay Dreaming is independently owned and operated by Tracie Koeplin. A native of Cape Ann, she has been working and teaching in clay for over 15 years. Tracie spent several years in Western Massachusetts earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts, as well as apprenticing under master potters, Michael Cohen and Angela Fina.

 

It was her one year spent in Aboriginal Australia however, where Tracie found her single most inspiration, which can be easily detected in her works today. Working in a red stoneware body, minimalistic forms are painted onto large-scaled coiled and wheel thrown vessels. Simplistic geometric shapes and totemic images are reinterpreted in order to recognize and celebrate Indigenous Australian culture.

 

Tracie’s work is on display and for sale at her own studio, as well as other surrounding galleries, shops, and craft show events. All pieces are made from durable, high-fired stoneware which are food-friendly, microwave and dishwasher-safe.

 

HISTORY

In June 2007, Redbrick Art Center’s ceramic studio was acquired by Clay Dreaming Pottery Studio creating a full service ceramic studio. With a strong support of students and trade workers, the facility has a healthy and growing community of potters.

 

Clay Dreaming Pottery Studio is continuously expanding, offering ongoing intimate class sessions, use of community ceramists’ tools, a vast high-fire glaze library, and considerable equipment--including 9 potter’s wheels, 3 electric kilns, slab roller, and extruders.

 

The studio provides classes for both adults and children alike for a range of techniques including hand building, wheel throwing, tile and mold making, as well as glaze instruction. Special workshops are held bringing craftsmen to demonstrate their work and style for shorter programs attractive to intermediate and advanced students.

 

For the wider community, the studio is available for hosting various occasions such as senior citizen field trips, birthday parties, and other special events. The public is also welcome into the studio to shop its impressive display area of works for sale.

 

DIVERSITY

The students of Clay Dreaming are of all ages and skill levels. The studio offers a base selection of adult clay classes that include open access for students. These classes are very well attended and have grown into a core group of students for whom the studio is an important part of their lives. In addition, there are a growing number of more experienced ceramists registered in the Independent Study program, enabling them to get out of their solitary studio, and into a communal atmosphere.

 

Classes for children are also very popular. Starting at age 5, the “Adult/Child Clay” classes are offered where parents or other close friends and relatives are able to share time together with their children in a unique environment. After school programs are also held for teenagers.

 

COMMUNITY

Clay Dreaming is pleased to provide Arts Outreach to schools, agencies and community groups for low cost programs supported through grant funding.   Students benefit from the enrichment program that they otherwise would not have access to in their own school systems.

 

Most recently, the studio opened its doors to the North Shore Consortium in Beverly, MA, and the Carlton Elementary School in Salem, MA.  In addition, Familyworks of Ipswich, MA has sponsored several of their clients—enabling a therapeutic and rewarding experience with clay and  a social outlet.