Kindness, cleanliness and a creative community are the core values of Not Another Pottery Studio (NAPS), owner Lauren Allison said. NAPS, which opened on Eagle Rock Boulevard July 2, 2024, currently offers over 100 glazes and underglazes and supports six to seven different clay types, Allison said. According to Allison, NAPS offers memberships, classes, workshops and paint-your-own pottery classes as well as private and community events.
“I felt like there needed to be a place for people that had a low barrier for entry and was more inclusive for [people] to come do pottery,” Allison said. “I was looking [for] anywhere in the Northeast LA community because it [is] so vibrant.”
Allison said she opened NAPS after feeling like there was a need in NELA for a community pottery studio. She said she had been looking for a space for about two years until she landed on Eagle Rock. Now, Allison said NAPS offers community days where anyone can come in and try working with clay.
“We move two of the wheels into the windows and anyone [can] come in, any age, any ability,” Allison said. “One of the instructors will sit with them and, in fifteen minutes, get them from a tiny ball of clay to a bowl.”
According to Allison, on these days people can also come and try a hand-building activity, which normally consists of decorating an ornament.
“We really [want] this to be a community space, so we run free community events where people can come in and try things,” Allison said.
According to Allison, members work on projects and classes occur throughout the week, except Mondays. Mondays, Allison said, are reserved for deep cleaning the studio, as the dust and residue from clay can be dangerous for people’s lungs.
According to Allison, during the recent LA fires, NAPS also opened its doors as a day shelter. Allison said NAPS had both electricity and air filters, which were not running at many places nearby. NAPS was open to the community for four to six hours a day for the first two weeks after the fires, and Allison said they offered a place for people to charge their phones, fill their water, grab a snack, play with clay and — most importantly — have a place to gather.
“Every single spot in here [had] people together. Some of them had lost their homes. Some of them were waiting to find out. Some of them had lost their schools,” Allison said. “They all were able to talk and process together while they built things with their hands.”
According to Allison, 400 pieces were created during these community sanctuary days.
Sal Treviño, a member at NAPS, said he has been a resident of Eagle Rock since 1978. He said he is grateful and honored to be a member, especially because of the community sanctuary days NAPS hosted.
“I always thought that was so selfless of [Allison] and the staff,” Treviño said. “Those fires affected all of us in many ways, but they took the time to help anyone that walked through the door.”
Allison said that beyond community days, NAPS also provides tools and resources aimed at inclusivity and accessibility in the studio. According to Allison, NAPS has several tools to support different body types and needs, including different height wheels and various ceramics tools such as clay openers for people who need help with dexterity. According to Allison, NAPS also has coffee and tea, as well as heat pads, tampons, deodorant and zit patches in the bathroom. Allison said that NAPS offers private classes for kids who need one-on-one support.
“I think it’s really important that creative spaces are inclusive,” Allison said. “We just want it to be a place where people [feel] like they are at home.”
Treviño said he has collaborated with several other members as well as instructors on projects at NAPS.
“Every one of these people [is] so selfless and always open to help me with any questions that I or [another] member may have,” Treviño said. “This is gonna sound [kind of] funny but the staff takes the time to know everyone’s name […] it’s like a family environment.”
According to member Dan Owen, he believes NAPS is one of the least judgmental environments in the art world.
“NAPS, under the direction of Lauren, Mimi and the rest of the team have something fresh,” Owen said. “[It is] tremendously welcoming and while still finding its feet, optimistic and energized.”
Allison said she was inspired by the British television show The Great Pottery Throw Down to begin writing notes of praise and encouragement to leave by people’s pieces.
“It’s amazing the creativity that comes from people. Especially with people who are newer, I would rather someone risk something that didn’t work than [think] someone’s going to be annoyed at [them].” Allison said. “We write these little love notes [to say], ‘That was amazing.’”
Mira Lanz, a studio assistant at NAPS, said NAPS’ values of kindness play out in the studio. She said she accredits this to a tone set by owner Allison.
“This is a hub for you to try something new, build upon your creativity, find community in shared interests and experiences,” Lanz said. “There’s enough tools and glazes for everyone, different clays to try, smiling faces around and good music always playing.”
Contact Ava Anderson at aanderson5@oxy.edu.
