UCreate Ceramic Clay Studio

Life is what UCreate of It

We opened our studio in Jan. 2020 in Ft. Mohave, Arizona based on a personal need for creative therapy. As a CPTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), survivor, I needed a safe , and creative atmosphere to express myself for therapy. Clay was always one of my favorite mediums, having taken several classes on the island of Kauai @ Clay Works. Clay work allows us to engage the right side of our brain- which for trauma people such as myself, engaging this side of the brain, can keep us in the present. It can keep worries, and fears at bay, releases tension, and relaxes the body. It is also a fun way to express oneself through art. I can not draw a animal as well as I can sculpt one. This can be true for many people as well.

I found a local pottery studio in Bullhead City, that seemed promising. At one point I had a opportunity to volunteer as a staff member. This gave me more time to be in the studio. However, it wasn't long before I was subjected to verbal bullying by other staff members, which made my being in the studio -a place of threat. This is somewhat common in a pottery community, but what isn’t common is a studio owner not attending to it. When another staff member told me that the offending staff member would not be reprimanded or removed, I realized it had to be my responsibility to protect myself. It’s hard to win in a situation when a business owner doesn't value the safety of others over personal friendships. It’s just bad business all together!

As it happened, a office space came up for rent in the Fort Mohave area at the very same time and it seemed possible to make it work for a clay studio. It dawned on me, that I had enough space to open the studio to others. With a little investment I could turn the space into a small classroom and perhaps earn enough money to keep the clay and glazes restocked.

I have always had a heart towards helping others through volunteer work in the past. I was a prominent beekeeper in Colorado, and was asked to teach students in school about the honeybee and colony collapse. In NY, I was a docent at the Buffalo Zoo and gave zoo tours to the public while giving them interesting facts about the animals. I then worked on the Zoo Mobile exhibiting animals to children and bringing them to the schools. I went to Ringling Brothers Clown School and used my talent to became a Conservation Clown (Zoe) at the Buffalo Zoo as well- I wish I had those pictures! I use to teach others in Colorado how to make soaps, candles, and fiber art from the hair of my alpacas. My hearts desire is to serve humanity.

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