CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF POTTING
Birth. In 1971, Federal Express started, Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida, the 26th Amendment was ratified lowering the voting age to 18, the average cost of a new home was $25,250 and the cost of a first-class stamp was $.08. Carole King, John Lennon and Three Dog Night all had hit songs, the popular toys were Operation and Etch a Sketch, the New York Times began publishing the Pentagon Papers revealing the U.S. Government had been lying to the American people, abortion was illegal and Jules Seitz founded The Potters’ Studio (TPS) in Berkeley.
Jules Seitz was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on August 28, 1909. He led a fiery political life balanced by a loving marriage of nearly 66 years, a large and musical family, and a penchant for gathering friends of all ages and nationalities. Jules was so opposed to all wars that he denounced the Democrats in the 1960s for supporting the Vietnam War. He co-founded the Berkeley Citizens Action party with other progressives, and was called "a public citizen of Berkeley and the world and on his 85th birthday former Oakland mayor and Representative Ron Dellums, awarded him a "Special Lifetime Achievement Certificate for Peace and Justice."
When a friend asked Jules to convert part of his large, sunny home into a pottery studio, he agreed. When the friend disappeared, Jules learned to use the studio himself, and in 1971-1972 founded the cooperative Berkeley Potters' Studio.
Early Days. Initially, TPS was a community service organization providing weekly classes to teenagers from the Blind Skills Center in San Pablo. In 1977 when Seitz decided to close the Studio, a group of potters came together and formed a corporation (The NARA Corporation) that bought the Studio and ran it as a community/collaborative space.
Maija Years. In 1983, Wayne Salk stepped down as the manager of the studio and Maija Williams served as TPS manager for almost thirty years. Maija really shaped and developed the character of TPS during her tenure. Maija was a survivor of WWII from Latvia who immigrated to the US as a teenager. Maija firmly believed in the equality of all people and encouraged full group participation in all decisions. She was fascinated in all things ceramic and developed the current ethos that exists at TPS.
When Maija stepped aside in 2012, James Whiting assumed the leadership of the organization. Under his direction, the studio continued to thrive in its efforts to support the ceramic community. Membership grew, classes were added, and the financial stability of the studio was cemented.
Non-profit Community Organization. In 2013, under the leadership of the first board of directors, the shareholders of The NARA Corporation agreed to relinquish their equity ownership of the studio and TPS became a non-profit community organization, finally obtaining 501(c)3 status in 2021, our 50th year and under the leadership of our current Executive Director, Bobbi Fabian.
TPS is still committed to the political activism initiated by Jules and community support nurtured by Maija. TPS mission and objective through ceramics is . . . It is a supportive educational environment providing workspace, equipment, knowledge and interaction with other clay artists. It provides the greater community opportunities to appreciate ceramic craft through educational events, gallery displays and seasonal shows.
The current Board of Directors is committed to continuing in the spirit and tradition of Jules and Maija and are developing programs and ideas to provide creative support to the community and space for continued growth and discovery for potters of all levels.
Let's Celebrate. To mark the Potters’ Studio’s 50th anniversary and to set the stage for the next 50 years, please join us for the 50th Anniversary Gala, which will be a gathering of friends, good food and pottery. We invite you to this special event and reunion for many of our friends, members, and supporters. The Gala will take place at the Studio on September 17, 2022, beginning at 2pm.