We were lucky to catch up with Valerie Grossman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Valerie, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I had just graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a BFA in Ceramics. I was working as a barista while teaching a kid’s Ceramics class and interning for a Ceramic artist in exchange for affordable studio space.

I had heard about an opportunity through my internship for an artist to apply for a vacant building that would be part of an arts district. I started thinking about this opportunity and what it would look like if I took it over. I was very unsure because I did not have the financial means for this at the time and it would be a big project. My mentor told me to look at the space and see how it felt. If it felt right then I should try and apply for it.

I looked at the building and it was a beautiful old brick building with a large barn door on the side and on the same parcel was an old house that looked like it had storefront in it. The brick building had so much history in it even as an empty space. I felt like it would be a beautiful studio space and I could not pass this up. I applied with a business proposal and that was the first real instance of thinking I could start my own studio.

I was chosen in the proposal process.

The plan was that I would buy the buildings outright and do a full renovation. I soon found out that as a recent college grad, with very little credit or savings that this was not something that could realistically happen. I knew that I wanted this opportunity so, I went back to the development group and pitched a lease to purchase agreement. This (to my surprise) was agreed upon and the incredible opportunity began. I funded the gas kiln with a kickstarter and secured a small loan for other equipment.

It took 3 more years for the renovation to be completed but, I was involved in the entire process. This opportunity was incredible and I opened BRICK Ceramic and Design Studio on May 1, 2015.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

How did you get into your craft?
I always was drawn to art and grew up taking classes outside of school. I would paint and draw but when I found clay I felt like it came easier to me than other mediums. I think the physicality and tactile qualities drew me in. I found clay in college and felt a warmth from the ceramic community. There is a sharing of resources including recipes for clay and glazes, kilns, and studio tasks. There is also a warm community that comes together with the sharing of food and experiencing the use of beautiful handmade pottery.

How did you get into your business?
After graduating with a BFA in Ceramics I was set on figuring out how to obtain my own studio. I had shared other’s studio spaces and felt like I wanted a space that was more general and not one specific artist or a group of artist’s space. This way a new member could easily join in and utilize the space. This was the beginning idea for BRICK.

What type of products do you provide?
I create functional and sculptural ceramics. My pieces are small batches. Most of my work is wheel thrown porcelain and is hand decorated. I have a two lines of work one that is heavily decorated with bold pattern and another that is of singular glazes.

What type of services do you provide?

BRICK provides an affordable studio where ceramic artists can access necessary equipment and space to produce their art. Classes are available to teach beginners about ceramic processes so they too can learn traditional methods of working in clay. Our new gallery space, Mortar, showcases work from local artists highlighting mediums such as glass, ceramics, sculpture and fiber arts.

What sets you apart from others?
My ceramics are playful and usually have bold hand painted designs that take over the form.

What sets you apart from other studios?
At BRICK, I have built a gas kiln. This traditional kiln is not as commonly found in community studios. It provides a high fire quality that creates pieces that last over many uses. It also creates glaze colors that are different from an electric kiln and are traditional glazes from ceramic history. Pieces fired in this high fire are also freeze and thaw proof.

What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of creating my business and sustaining it for this long. It will be 8 years in May of this year. I remember an interview I did when I first began and the interviewer asked how did I know that this business wouldn’t just close after the first year? In reality I didn’t know and there certainly have been difficult times but, I feel proud that I have gotten to this point and it is at the most sustainable it has ever been.

What are you most proud of?
A few pieces that I am most proud of are my Flower Dress with Diamonds which was honored with a purchase prize award and is still on display in the lobby at CIA. It is the largest ceramic piece I have ever made. Also I am proud of my flamingo candelabra which is one of my more unique pieces.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I think the most rewarding aspect about being an artist and working in a creative field is that I am always aligned with my passions and I get to share them with others. It is a joy to work and share experiences in clay with other artists and students. Ceramics is such a vast field there is so much that can be made from this material.

Teaching has also pushed me to continue researching and furthering my own work. It has given me the flexibility to continue explore new forms and ideas.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The most important lesson is to set clear boundaries. Early on in my business, I would work all hours and respond to texts, calls, and other requests from customers on my personal cell. Establishing a system for better communication and not feeling rushed to respond to everything at that very moment has helped me exponentially.

Contact Info:

• Website: valeriegrossman.com and brickceramics.com
• Instagram: @brickceramics @mortarwaterloo @valeriegrossmanceramics
• Facebook: @brickceramics

Image Credits
Matt Schiffler Photography For personal photo and also the image of me by the kilns