Tired of getting kicked out of studios around the city, San Francisco artist and long-time resident Kevin Waller had had enough. “This time, I want to tell people to move,” he said, sitting in the office of his Tenderloin ceramics studio, The Clay Underground.
Hidden below PianoFight in the old Original Joe’s building, The Clay Underground offers serious and novice artists affordable space and a full selection of tools to create with clay, including potter's wheels, electric kilns and a rainbow of glazes. The expansive basement offers 17 private studios that members can rent for $200 to $450 on a month-to-month basis. Those on a budget can use the open workstation and rent a shelf for $175 a month to store their work, or share a private studio with a fellow member.
Inside an artist's private studio.
In the three years since opening, Waller has had no trouble keeping the studios rented. The community boasts about 30 members—including serious artists, recent college graduates and lots of New York City transplants—and as soon as word spreads that a private studio is opening up, his inbox is full of inquiries, Waller said.
In addition to playing landlord, Waller teaches newcomers the art of ceramics. The Clay Underground has a host of instructors offering drop-in classes, multi-week intro courses, and youth and family classes throughout the week.
Instructor Judy Waitz assisting a student. (Photo: The Clay Underground / Facebook)
Waller said that the monthly Friday night drop-in classes (where bringing your own beer or wine is highly encouraged) fill up quickly. But his real passion is working with children, especially those who don't have access to arts programs at school. “When the kids are here, it’s so much fun,” Waller said.
Unfortunately, the studio’s Tenderloin location has made attracting families difficult. One potential birthday party fell through after the mother drove by to scope out the Clay Underground and no longer felt comfortable bringing a group of children to its block.
Given that members have access to the studio 24/7, safety is a top concern for Waller. He has security cameras aimed at the entrance, and regularly asks loiterers congregating outside his door to move along. “They’re getting to know me and respect me,” Waller said, adding that members feel quite safe once they’ve descended into the serene space.
While Waller regularly attends the block’s monthly neighborhood watch meetings and is pleased that he’s had to call the police a bit less lately, the sights and smells outside his door do get to him. “I didn’t think it’d affect me as much as it does,” he said.
Regardless, he's determined to make youth and family classes a success. His next focus is launching an outreach program, with a free monthly class for underprivileged children.
Registration for August's Friday evening drop-in class is now open. Details on additional upcoming classes are available online, and tours of the space are available by appointment.
