After extensive education and exhibitions
showcasing her work, Jean stumbled on The
Open Studio. She was a regular attendee of
the art studio before the previous owners
retired and handed off the art studio that
was initially known as the Lemon Bay Clay
Studio. The studio’s name has since evolved
to the Lemon Bay Clay Center & Art School,
to signify the growth and diversity of the
venue.
Her passion for artistic expression is laden
in her love of pottery and creating stunning
pieces.
“Risk taking is an essential component
of being an artist, whether you are
participating in performance or visual arts,”
said Jean. “It is that willingness to take a risk
that opens the door for a new technique,
collaboration, or exhibition.”
Of course, The Open Studio’s small
businesses, artists and entrepreneurs
have rearranged their hours of operation
and limit the amount of foot traffi c since
the onset of the pandemic. Jean keeps a
watchful eye on her art studio. She continues
30 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • January/February • 2021
to monitor the health of her staff and
students.
The Lemon Bay Clay Center & Art
School has enacted guidelines to
keep students and staff safe. The art
studio has since been closed to public
visitation, and masks are required for
class attendance. Social distancing
is also monitored and attendees are
expected to follow COVID-19 safety
policies.
Jean also keeps class attendance
at a mere four to six people to allow
for social distancing. If a class cannot
be conducted outside, as the wheel
pottery class is, the stations are
spaced widely apart and the windows are
opened to provide better air circulation.
Nonetheless, Jean encourages students to
relax and get their hands muddy.
“Art is therapeutic. Clay people are good
people who fi nd this form of expression
therapeutic,” said Jean.
The art studio is equipped with pottery
wheels, sponges, clay tools, a pottery
gallery, kilns and private studios to provide
classes for all art mediums.
Jean says the studio is fortunate to keep
classes going during an unpredictable
time, and said the business remains fi scally
healthy. “It’s all because we have this lush
garden space to hold classes. Otherwise, we
wouldn’t be one of the only art centers open
in the area,” she said.
Clay artist Jen Haught is one of the
many instructors at the art studio. She has
combined her love of teaching and her
passion for the arts and specializes in wheel
pottery, teaching small groups of students
for each class offered.
A pottery wheel set up.