I had the opportunity to attend a workshop at Belger Crane Yard Clay and Red Star Studios where I was able to photograph and document the beautiful space that many local Kansas City clay artists consider their second home.
This hidden gem sits at the end of a dead-end road next to an old crane yard. The upper level is the home of owners Dick and Evelyn Belger who renovated the building between 2010 and 2013. The multi-level industrial brick building seems unassuming until you enter the glass double doors found down a gravel alley. Just inside the main entrance is a 10,000 square foot gallery (featuring work by industrial designers, sculptors and illustrators) surrounded by windows with a view of downtown Kansas City.
As you exit the gallery, you find yourself inside the studio where artists rent space to work and take part in maintaining the studio. Walking down the isles you see rows of rented shelves that are lined with the artists work in different styles, stages and processes and rolling racks with greenware ready to fire. It's also likely you will see artists in residence working in their booths deep in concentration.
Just outside the studio and accessible to the public is their retail store where you can purchase several types of clay, kilns, glazes, sponges and scrapers.
The studio does take donations for things like plastic liquid soap dispensers for glazes and Rubbermaid tubs to keep clay from drying out. If you are interested in donating items, be sure to like their Facebook page where they frequently post when in need of a particular item.
If you are interested in visiting the space, they are open for First Friday events and offer date night and student classes.
To see a schedule of events or for more information and directions, visit: http://redstarstudios.org
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