Gaya Ceramics ARTS CentrE (CAC)

STORY

Founded in 2010 collaboratively by Marcello Massoni, Michela Foppiani, and Hillary Kane, Gaya Ceramic Arts Center stands as the educational branch of Gaya’s production and design studio.  While the two “sister” studios operate independently, they also coexist in an inspiring and supportive symbiosis that benefits clients, participants, and employees alike.

Here at CAC we are dedicated to sharing our passion for both making and teaching, and for the fine art of clay in all its nuances.  Housed within an architecture to match the creative spirit we foster, our spacious open-air, old wood studio is fully equipped to nurture the growth of mature ceramic artists and those brand new to clay.

Catering to clay enthusiasts from near as well as far, we offer week-long introductory classes, independent studio rental, and intensive 2-week International Workshops.  We also proudly host a vibrant Resident Artist Program and Studio Internship.

A decade, and thousands of kilos of clay wedged, thrown, pinched, coiled, shaped and paddled later…. it has been a labor of true love in its making, a joy of expansive proportions in its sharing.

MISSION

We aim to offer the highest level of tutelage possible in the ceramic arts in a variety of forms, namely:

• INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS… two-week intensive programs led by renowned ceramic artists worldwide

• FUNDAMENTALS in CLAY… week-long immersions at an introductory level

• INDEPENDENT STUDIO RENTAL… private studio space dedicated to self-directed making

• ARTIST RESIDENCY PROGRAM… two-month windows of exploration, focus and exposure for mature ceramists

• STUDIO INTERNSHIP… living a life of clay for six month periods

We also aim to walk our talk, and thus are fully engaged ceramic artists ourselves — always pushing our own limits in learning and creating

We strive to bring clay into the community, hosting an annual EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER that supports a local charity of choice each year.

VISION

The world is surrendering its skilled artisans in favor of industrially produced objects every day.  Thus every day we work at promoting and preserving the ceramic arts through teaching and sharing these very skills to beginner and experienced potters alike.  With great enthusiasm and patience, we share our knowledge and invite the expertise of international instructors and resident artists to expand our consciousness of clay and creativity. 

We believe that everything from simple tableware, to independently standing sculpture holds great significance in creating aesthetic value, beauty, intimacy and personal meaning in our lives.  Because most of our clientele are coming from outside of Bali, the creative experience in clay is blended together with the inimitable experience of the Balinese culture.  Deriving inspiration from an entirely new architecture, landscape, gastronomical palette, and social/religious customs is part and parcel to a Gaya experience. Thus, setting is as pertinent to our vision as is material.

We are artists and we want to be inspired and creative every day.  We want you to be too!

CORE VALUES

• We achieve EXCELLENCE with technical proficiency and tireless patience, careful attention to detail, meticulous organization and planning, selective programmimg, and an ever-innovative calendar of workshops and activities.

• We value the DIFFERENCE... Individual abilities and contributions are recognized and are the lifeblood of our creativity and consequently of our company strength.

• We value KNOWLEDGE encouraging continuous learning to help empower all employees to reach their full potential.

• We pursue TEAM WORK and TEAM HAPPINESS... Our small team upholds camaraderie, enjoyment, professional and personal growth as the spirit of our organization.

• We do firmly believe in HONESTY, integrity, morality and ethics.

• We do RESPECT individuals, cultures and environment.

• We encourage WARMTH, courtesy and kindness in any communication or encounter.

• The SATISFACTION of our students, instructors and artists is our satisfaction.

• We make all possible EFFORT in solving problem or satisfy needs... we meet complaints with empathy first, appropriate action second.

• We take full RESPONSIBILITY for our actions and promises and we uphold commitments at almost any cost.

• We SEEK instructors, resident artists, studio interns, and workshop participants that share the same or similar core values.

• We create the company's PROSPERITY, STRENGTH, SOLIDITY, STABILITY and PROTECTION through organization, profit and growth.

THE TEAM

JOIN THE TEAM AS AN INTERN

Gaya CAC Internship Program offers an indelible opportunity for an aspiring potter to learn the ins and outs of running a ceramic studio, teaching ceramic skills, organizing workshops, firing kilns, and generally living a life of clay.  The internship is based on an agreement of exchange between the intern and GCAC.  Learn more about our internship program here.