Will the Pottery have to close for a period of time, and for how long? Can the building remain open and classes running during construction?

Yes. We have developed this project to be completed in phases, when and where possible, while fundraising is ongoing. Early construction phases allowed for the building to remain open and operational. However, the building will have to close during key moments of construction to ensure safe and adequate completion: importantly, in the summer of 2025 for installation of the new kilns. After the kilns are installed, barring unanticipated emergency repairs, we do not have plans for further work until all funds are raised to complete the final phases of the project – likely fall of 2026 at the earliest.  

Once we begin the final phases of the project, closing the building will be necessary so that the work can be carried out safely and expeditiously. During the final phase of construction, our architect and contractor estimate that an 11-13-month closure will be necessary. 

When will 16 Jones Street close?

In order for the kiln room to be renovated and our new Blaauw kilns to be installed, 16 Jones Street will be closed from June 20 through August 30, 2025. Classes will continue, however, at Greenwich House Pottery’s Chelsea location.

Can there be more transparency about the budget for Greenwich House Pottery, separate from the financials that are available for Greenwich House, the umbrella organization?

Greenwich House's 990 tax forms are available to the public in accordance with IRS rules for 501c3 organizations. Specific program budgets are managed by staff and overseen by the Board of Directors and its various committees, Finance, Audit, Development, etc. More financial information is available on our website.

Can students have more input around operational decisions like what Cone-10 glazes will be available while only one gas kiln is operational?

Generally, decisions about which glazes are offered are informed by data on which glazes are used most frequently, followed by further review by faculty and staff to ensure a suitable palette mix. For instance, after a recent poll of faculty and students, changes have been made to the cone 10 palette. (Once the new kilns are installed this summer, all cone 10 glazes will return to the studio.) Operational decisions are always iterative, and we will continue collecting and responding to student and faculty input. 

We are renewing our efforts to increase communication and transparency with our student community overall. Accordingly, we will hold a virtual Town Hall each term. We have brought back the Community Advisory Council, a group of students and faculty that represent various studios (wheel-throwing, hand building, and slip casting) to offer regular feedback to our leadership team. Town Hall recordings as well as notes from Advisory Council meetings and a submission form for students to use to submit questions and feedback, can be found here. All enrolled students will be emailed invitations to each Town Hall as it is scheduled. The next Town Hall will be held the week of April 5th. 

Who is on the Community Advisory Council?

The Council consists of 10 members, including a faculty member, a long-time student, and a newer student from each of the disciplines taught at the Pottery. Some representatives who overlap in both studios and participate in programming such as children’s classes and outreach partnerships. More about the Advisory Committee, including current members, can be found on the website. It is our intention that additional seats will be filled via community election for the upcoming academic year.

When will the gas kilns be installed?

Two new custom-built state-of-the-art gas Blauuw kilns are being installed in summer 2025, requiring a building closure from June 20 – August 30, 2025. 

Can cosmetic changes be made in the short term while funds are raised for the renovation and expansion?

There are several significant and more subtle space, lighting, and other cosmetic updates presently included in our capital project plan, and our aim has been to minimize any additional short-term cosmetic changes that would only have a short-term use and increase the overall cost of the capital campaign. That said, we are committed to keeping these spaces functional and safe during the period of fundraising and staged work, so we have and will continue to spend operational revenue on matters of priority and need for our ongoing programs. 

What will the project cost, and how are those costs broken down? 

The renovation and addition are projected to cost about $7.5 million. Here’s a breakdown of those costs: