Help MIY Ceramics & Glass Studio Move

Hi I'm Denise Mendez the owner of MIY Ceramics and Glass Studio

currently located in Hollywood Fl going on 16 years. We are a community Arts space that has provided thousands of classes and hosted hundreds of events benefiting local charities and enriching our local arts community. We have provided the public with a shared community studio for pottery, glass, mosaics,  and so much more. Throughout the years we wanted to build a space where others felt welcomed to create at their pace with guidance from MIY teachers and members, and we succeeded.  Our cross-generational, culturally diverse members are what create our unique learning environment, and we are so proud of it.

 

I can’t tell you how often we get told how the studio has helped someone through a difficult time, how the atmosphere is so soothing and inviting, and that they feel at home with us and in our welcoming embrace. I want to say thank you, your love, passion, and support are what make the studio the loving, inviting, creative space that we all enjoy.

 

Now to the semi-sad bits. In late December the landlady notified us that she was selling the building. The SOLD notification came within hours of her telling us, we didn't stand a chance. The new owner took over and as of January 3, 2022, and in no uncertain terms, is kicking us out of the building.  After all these years supporting the community and fundraising for others who knew we would need to do this for ourselves. We are forced to find a new home for the studio and we need to be out of the studio by 4/30.

We started this Go Fund Me page to share with you what is going on with the studio as well as look for support however you can.  We need money, muscle, and memories to help us through all of this.  It's going to cost close to $22,000 to move the kilns, tear everything down and rebuild it all up from scratch, electrical, etc.  We need the muscle, it's been 16 years, there is a lot to move and many projects of love built by our community of members, some of who are no longer here, that we want to carry with us to the new space.  Please share your memories with us about your favorite times at the studio. It gives us energy and reminds us why we do this day in and day out.  We deeply appreciate all the help we can get!

 

Thank you again for being a part of our studio, your love, generosity, and loyalty, we love you, and can’t wait to see you again when we land.

 

Thank you and much love always,

Denise Mendez, Francis Sabag, Lori Kane, Kaityln Coughran, Jacqueline Oortman , Julie Kallini & Sandy Reyes