Castro clay and pottery enthusiasts will soon have two new spaces to work on their art projects.
The clay studios will be opening in spaces that have sat vacant for multiple years.
Bisk Clay Studio opens November 1 at 262 Noe Street, formerly Noe & Market Laundromat. A second clay studio will open at 2285 Market Street, formerly Harvest Ranch Market.
Bisk Clay Studio will open at 262 Noe St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Owners of both clay studios have been preparing both spaces for opening over the past few months.
Bisk Clay Studio will be opened by Kani Tkhon, and the unnamed clay studio on Market Street will be opened by Dawson Ray. Ray did not respond to Hoodline's request for comment.
The two new studios will join longtime Castro legacy business Ruby's Clay Studio & Gallery as clay and pottery options in the neighborhood.
Originally from Ukraine, Tkhon tells Hoodline that Bisk Clay Studio will be a "community clay studio" that offers classes and workshops. Additionally, Bisk will offer a jewelry workshop called "silver clay."
Bisk Clay Studio owner Kani Tkhon. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Tkhon tells Hoodline that she moved to San Francisco in 2018, looking for a fresh start. Tkhon says she took a pottery class and "I fell in love right away."
While Tkhon had received a degree in Computer Science, she decided to pursue pottery and clay full-time.
Tkhon previously worked at Heath Ceramics and managed Mission community clay studio, The Pottery Studio.
Tkhon explained that people can purchase a membership to gain access to the space or sign up for classes. Membership will cost $225/month and $255 for a 4-week course.
Inside Bisk Clay Studio as it preapres to open. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
According to Tkhon, ending up in the Castro was sort of an accident. Tkhon heard from a friend that the previous tenant, who was using the space as storage for a catering business, planned to vacate the space.
When Tkhon first viewed the space, she said, "Even though it was so full of stuff, I really like it."
Tkhon plans to offer a retail component up front and allow customers to see how everything is made. In the future, she said she would like to pursue the idea of organizing a ceramics-focused makers market on Noe.
Another clay studio will open at 2285 Market St. | Photo: Steven Bracco/Hoodline
Public records indicate Ray and Flux Castro LLC filed a permit application last month for partial basement excavation to create a new floor area, along with building a new accessible bathroom.
Construction costs are estimated at $60,000.
As Hoodline learns more about the studio at the former Harvest market space, we will keep you updated.
Thanks to Hoodline tipster Reva L. If you've seen something new (or closing) in the neighborhood, text your tips and photos to (415) 200-3233, or email [email protected]. If we use your info in a story, we'll give you credit.
