We were lucky to catch up with Leah Schaperow recently and have shared our conversation below.
Leah, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
The first risk I took was opening up a pottery studio and buying all the equipment and supplies in March 2020 as the pandemic was shutting San Diego down. I chose to study studio art, and not business, so I am still learning what is takes to run a small business as I go.
The second risk I took was doubling the size of my studio which I did a few months ago, which meant doubling my rent cost as well. I believe it is time to take these risks, even though there is always the option of failure. So far it’s been wonderful. I am able to have a dedicated gallery space for my personal work as well as other rotating artists. There is space to have high school interns, open studio members, and larger classes and workshops.
More studio changes are on the way and I am excited to keep taking risks to improve the studio for my students and teaching/visiting artists/interns.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I studied art at University and worked as a pottery technician as well as a contract teacher at pottery, painting, and drawing studios. I decided to open Milk Oolong Pottery as a place to refine my ceramic art and been able to provide a pottery studio to the community. When I first came to San Diego I noticed that the studios were full and not excepting students or open studio members. I knew then that there was a need to a pottery studio, even if just to have a place to create my own work.
I did find a wonderful studio in San Diego, but it was far from my home and next to a bunch of highway interchanges. It was difficult for me to get there by bike or transit. I went there a few times and then decided the location was a deal breaker. Milk Oolong Pottery is right next to a bike/pedestrian trail and a few miles from downtown. The community of artists in Liberty Station was another bonus. The area is perfect for picnics, getting groceries, or dancing tango.
Milk Oolong is a place that welcomes the community to learn and enjoy the feeling of clay. This is a place to relax, meditate, meet new people, and learn new skills.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
It’s wonderful to see someone exciting to be learning new skills and putting their own personality into their art.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I used work as a contract teacher at studios all over San Diego but that didn’t cover my basic expenses. Opening a pottery studio was a big risk, but so far it’s been successful in terms of income and having a place to create my own art.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.milkoolongstudio.com
- Instagram: Milk Oolong Pottery
- Facebook: Milk Oolong Pottery
- Twitter: leah.schaperow