Paying Homage to our Roots

Do you know where our name “The Little Clay Studio” comes from? 
Our name, (also nicknamed TLC Studio) is a homage to our roots; both literally and emotionally. 


When ReFocus hired Jessica Schlachter back in 2014 to teach pottery to Agency Clients attending the Gilbane Community Center, it didn’t take long for Jessica to realize that there was so much more potential in her potters as well as the classroom. Jessica wanted to push the ReFocus mission of loving, trusting and challenging them.  She accomplished this by creating a Client Supported Cooperative where ReFocus clients would receive a comprehensive ceramics education while developing numerous employment skills.  At that time, Jessica’s pottery studio was 127 square feet.  It literally was “The Little Clay Studio.”   
Pulling from ReFocus’ mission, Jessica created an environment where clients were able to develop trust through a loving and supportive system, while also being challenged to grow as much as possible.  The driving force behind the Studio’s concept and curriculum was to create an education environment where the potters would be taught in a Trusting, Loving and Challenging way. Taking the ‘T’, ‘L’, and ‘C’ from trusting, loving, and challenging, Jessica and her potters were able to pay homage to ReFocus’ mission and create TLC Studio.