About Our Clayworks Mudmobiles

In 2014, Clayworks expanded its community impact efforts with our new Clayworks Mudmobile. Funded by a generous grant from the Women’s Impact Fund, the Mudmobile allows Clayworks to take ceramic arts to many more underserved communities and children throughout the Charlotte Region. In light of ongoing cutbacks in public education arts programs, Clayworks considers its community impact efforts for children to be a top priority as we provide unique, hands-on clay experiences in our community. In 2019, The Women’s Impact Fund funded an additional van for even more work within the community.

Clayworks currently uses the Mudmobiles to provide ongoing, grant funded programs with our partner organizations such as the YWCA after school residencies, the ASC’s Culture Blocks Programs, the ASC’s School Funding Opportunities and Time Out Youth. With the Mobile Studio Clayworks teaching artists bring all the supplies needed to create amazing projects onsite, and bring it all back to Clayworks to be fired and glazed before being returned to the partner location.

Past and current workshop partners include: Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation summer camps, Childcare Network, Greater Enrichment Project, Inc., McDowel Nature Center,  South Minster Senior Living Center, Arts Empowerment Program, Circle de Luz, ourBridge and Freedom School Partners…just to name a few.

Over the years, our community impact programs have reached thousands of underserved children, adults, seniors, and physically and developmentally challenged persons in and around the Charlotte area. We take the “enrichment of the communities it serves” part of our mission statement very seriously by dedicating a significant portion of our time, talent, budget and planning to reach underserved communities. You can make an impact in our community with your donation.

YWCA After School Program

WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE, NO MATTER THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES, CAN SHARE IN THE WONDER AND SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT COMES FROM CREATING WITH CLAY.

Since 2005, Clayworks has served students at YWCA after-school centers located in public housing communities, neighborhood recreation centers and fragile neighborhoods. Programs provide hands-on experience with building, decorating, and finishing ceramic objects. The triumph of manipulating a raw material with one’s hands is a proven way to develop creative problem solving skills, an increased desire to learn, a boost in self-confidence, a general sense of well-being, and pride in workmanship

CLAYWORKS CONDUCTS MONTHLY PROGRAMS FOR TEENS, SENIORS, ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND FAMILY DAYS.

CULTURE BLOCKS embraces and celebrates the cultural life of Charlotte’s citizens; connecting communities through the arts and breaking down barriers through participation with cultural organizations like Clayworks. As an ASC Program funded by Mecklenburg County, CULTURE BLOCKS is a community partnership with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to provide cultural programming closer to where residents live; at libraries, parks, recreation centers, and relevant community spaces to increase access, and reduce transportation and parking barriers.

CLAYWORKS’ CULTURE BLOCKS PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

WE TAKE THE WORDS “ENRICHMENT OF THE COMMUNITIES IT SERVES” IN OUR MISSION STATEMENT VERY SERIOUSLY.

TIME OUT YOUTH’S primary objective is engaging LGBTQ youth in the creative arts to
find new ways to express themselves.
Clayworks’ TIME OUT YOUTH workshops have a specific focus, such as working on a
group project, making individual pieces, focusing on construction (such as sculpting)
or decoration. All workshops provide a general exposure to the ceramic arts and
creativity, building self-esteem and confidence. They can also incorporate other
specific objectives such as team-building or communication skills.

CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS

CLAYWORKS IS COMMITTED TO BEING A WELCOMING AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY OF CREATIVE INDIVIDUALS.

Clayworks provides classes and residencies at many CMS schools, offering both one
time classes as well as three and five-day residencies in CMS classrooms during the
school year. Programs are designed for specific age ranges. Pinch pot animals or
face jugs are projects for elementary aged children. Monoprinting on clay is a project
for middle and high school students. Other projects include First Nation totems and
African masks in clay. Clayworks also hosts an all-day Raku firing program for high
school students at its Monroe Road location.

InReach

STUDENTS SELL THE ARTWORK THEY CREATE WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING BACK TO InREACH TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM.

InREACH is a non-profit organization that provides residential and community
support programs and services for adults with developmental, intellectual, and other
disabilities in a residential and community setting.
The goal of the program is to bring inspiration, instruction, encouragement, tools and
materials to this underserved audience who do not have the opportunity to create
and/or appreciate ceramic art otherwise. Program participants learn about the visual
arts and working with clay while developing listening and problem-solving skills and
building a sense of independence, pride and self-confidence

CAMARADERIE AND FRIENDSHIP DEVELOP AMONG THE PARTICIPANTS ALONG WITH A SENSE OF PURPOSE.