The Facing Seaside IV Project and Exhibition
Monterey Clay Studio
DLAMP students visit Monterey Clay Studio in Seaside
Monterey Clay Studio has become a cornerstone of the growing creative arts community in Seaside, California, particularly within the realm of ceramics and pottery. More than just a workspace for artists, the studio has transformed into a vibrant hub for education, collaboration, and cultural enrichment. Its presence has had a deeply positive impact on the local pottery scene, attracting both seasoned ceramicists and curious beginners, and contributing to Seaside’s evolving artistic identity.
Founded on the belief that joy and connection through the arts is fundamental to a vibrant community, Monterey Clay Studio offers a welcoming environment where adults and young adults at any skill level can explore the art of ceramics. From wheel-throwing to hand-building, glazing to firing, the studio provides the tools, space, and guidance necessary for artistic growth. Their diverse range of classes and workshops serve as entry points for newcomers and continued inspiration for more advanced artists. This inclusivity has broadened interest in pottery in Seaside and helped foster a renewed appreciation for handmade art. As a result, the studio contributes to a thriving local arts economy and strengthens the visibility of ceramics as both a craft and a contemporary art form.
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Monterey Clay Studio and Business Visit
Name: Lizzy Eichorn
Name of business: Monterey Clay Studio/ Lizzy Eichorn Studios
What your business offers the community of Seaside:
At Monterey Clay Studio, we are committed to providing a relaxed, welcoming environment where people of any skill level are encouraged to try working with clay. We offer eight-week classes and weekend workshops in wheel throwing and handbuilding. Our studio is primarily for adults with some workshops available for ages 12+ with a participating adult.
Are you from Monterey County, if not where are you from?
Yes, I grew up in Palo Colorado Canyon (between Carmel and Big Sur)
When did you move to Seaside?
We opened Monterey Clay Studio in September 2024
What brought you to Seaside?
Its central location - it’s close to so many different communities!
When was your business established in Seaside?
September 2024.
What was the main reason / motivation to start your business?
I used to be a biologist but one day in 2023 I woke up and realized I had always wanted to be an artist. My dream is to open a craft school with more offerings than just clay.
Do you have an educational background that helped start up the business or are you self taught?
I was introduced to working with clay when I was eleven at summer camp. In high school I took ceramics and in college I became very serious about making pottery. It has been a life long interest of mine for over 20 years! I never formally studied clay, it was always just a hobby that I sometimes made money off of. My previous career helped prepare me for running my business since I primarily worked in project management.
How did you learn all that you do, who were your mentors, or folks who encouraged / supported you when you decided to start your business?
My high school ceramics teacher Cole Thompson and college teacher Greg Marshall taught me the fundamentals and Katie Klevan was my initial inspiration at summer camp. I was so obsessed with pottery as a young adult that honestly just practicing over and over is what got me to the point where I am today. I worked at Hacienda in Carmel Valley as a wheel throwing instructor and am very grateful for Mark Tanous and Vanessa Cowdrey (MPC potters) for that opportunity and their continued support in what I’m up to.
Joan Wrench owns Monterey Clay Studio. I rent from her and run all the programming through my business, Lizzy Eichorn Studios. I’m very grateful to have been connected with Joan via community members.
Is this work that has been in your family for generations, or did you start this business with a vision of your own?
My paternal grandmother was a potter and an aunt and uncle were both potters. My brother also did some pottery in high school. I never worked with clay with these family members but it does seem to be in our genes.
Who are your inspirations? (business or otherwise)
Penland School of Craft, Cabrillo Extension, Workshop SF
What would you say is your business specialty?
Providing a welcoming space for people to try new things in a low pressure, fun environment.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future of your business?
I hope to open a craft school eventually.
What would be a single piece of advice that you would give someone who is thinking of starting up their own business?
Do it! It’s so much more gratifying to work hard for yourself than to work hard for someone else.
What are your feelings about community, what does community mean to you here in Seaside? Is community important to you?
Yes, community is very important to me. I love frequenting the other businesses in Seaside. It’s been delightful to get to know neighbors and studio members.
How does the community influence and or engage with your business?
Several folks walking by seem to be quite interested in classes etc. the established stores on Broadway have regular customers who then also become our customers!
Were you thinking of setting up your business in any other location? Or was it always meant to be here in Seaside?
I wanted to start a business in Seaside or Sand City for the location.
Do you have any plans for expansion?
Not immediately but likely in the next five years.
Who is your typical customer?
Generally millennials looking for something fun to do after work, parents who need a creative outlet/break from home, and retirees finding their way in retirement.
What is your customer demographic, who are you trying to reach?
Anyone who wants to work with clay is welcome at our studio.
Do you have social media for your business? What platforms?
Yes. Instagram and Facebook @montereyclaystudio
Do you have a current website? If so, please list it below.
Www.montereyclaystudio.com
Www.lizzyeichornstudios.com
How are you currently marketing to potential customers?
Social media advertising, word of mouth, and email newsletters
What support would you be interested in for your business?
Social media and email newsletter management.
How does your business show up for the community?
We’re happy to participate in things like this! It was great having the Weston Collective students in the studio for a tour.
What would you like to see more of in Seaside? (if anything)
More businesses on Broadway with fewer vacant spaces.
What sets your business apart from the other businesses in the area? What makes your business unique, desirable or in demand in 2024?
There are not very many options for making pottery in the area - most are in Santa Cruz. After COVID, people became very interested in working with clay and we are happy to help fill the need!
Is there anything else unique about the goods or services your business offers that you would like to mention here?
Just that we are so thrilled to be here! We’ve been so appreciative of how excited people have been about the start of the studio and are grateful for the community’s continued support. We’re all about having fun and cultivating joy and connection.
