We were so excited to partner with Downside Up for a beginner handbuilding workshop!

Downside Up is a local organization with a mission of providing creative spaces & experiences that encourage growth, inspire learning, and develop connections for children with disabilities and their families.

We were honored to provide a beginner handbuilding workshop for this group of students. Cross Plains is a nonprofit organization providing community-based day and employment services to adults with intellectual and development disabilities.

Girls Inc. Chattanooga’s mission is to inspire and equip all girls to be strong, smart, and bold leaders within their community. SCCA was excited to partner with Girls Inc. for a multi-week handbuilding workshop, where students learned the healing craft of clay arts.

“One girl looked at her finished bowl in awe and said, ‘Wait, I really made this? This is mine?’ She could not believe that she really had made that bowl and that it was hers. It was so sweet to see her excitement and pride as she realized what she made.”

The mission of the Urban League is to enable African-Americans and other disadvantaged persons to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights. SCCA offered a weekly handbuilding clay workshop, where students expressed themselves through the healing nature of clay arts - creating pieces like smiley pinch pots, Thanksgiving turkeys, and holiday trees.

“The students are able to be themselves during these classes and there is no real wrong way to do the clay projects.”

SCCA joined ELLA Library, the Pop-up project, and the East Lake Expression Engine to host the “East Lake Park Art Play Day.” In addition to creating their own handbuilt clay pots, community members were able to dance, paint, make music, and so much more.

SCCA hosted the Youth Mentoring program from Bridge Refugees for a group clay activity where students learned handbuilding basics and created their very own pots.

“Our clients were able to experience a unique activity in Chattanooga and build with their hands. One mentee in particular who is very artistic made a small vase and plate for jewelry.”

CSM is dedicated to serving youth in Chattanooga’s most economically challenged neighborhoods. Their mission is to impact urban youth in Chattanooga at the intersection of faith and athletic engagement. SCCA partnered with CSM for their team “contact days” for group bonding and experiencing creative clay activities.

La Paz’s mission is to empower and engage Chattanooga’s LatinX population. SCCA and La Paz partnered together for a multi-week handbuilding workshop where students learned clay building basics and terminology.

YMCA YCAP Chattanooga is an intervention/ prevention program for boys 10-15 yrs old. SCCA provided FREE classes and workshops for small and large groups of YCAP students. This project was funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee. We are thankful to the Tennessee Arts Commission for their support.

SCCA partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters to teach handbuilding basics like creating pinch pots, coil cups, and more. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a youth mentoring program that focuses on helping children realize their potential and build their futures.

"Boys to Men at the Beth" is a male mentoring program that focuses on personal social development with educational attainment. SCCA offered a 4-week handbuilding program for the boys to enjoy developing their ceramic skills, patience, and determination.

SCCA sent two staffers out to the Eastgate Public Library, and gave a demonstration about the different techniques when working with clay.

“Our youth loved the experience, and had the chance to make some pieces of clay art. We are so grateful for SCCA's generosity and time, and we highly recommend SCCA to anyone interested in the arts.”

SCCA brought a fun clay-making activity to the folks at the Silvertree Seniors Center in Chattanooga. Students learned how to create and decorate their very own pinch pots, with some experiencing clay for the first time ever.

“It was a fantastic time for our senior residents! Our favorite part was the community aspect and the ability to use their hands to make new creations.”

Through our partnership with ELLA Library and RISE, SCCA provided students at the South Chattanooga Rec Center with an opportunity to create and play with clay each week.