Question for artists: Any interest in local pottery studio access?
I would love something like this, but would need to take a few classes first to know how to use the equipment. I would look for space in the valley arts district in WO.
Absolutely! I and my two daughters would love to go to a pottery class. I have actually been looking into lessons for my older girl but there are not any studios close to South Orange. Sign me up!
I don't need any more artistic distractions. I have too much on my plate...so yes, I would love to have something like this around here!
I would definitely be interested and having been looking for something just like this!
My mom used to use a wheel in someone's basement studio in their house in her town (about 30 minutes from here)... I think the owner had ~3 wheels, and did some lessons, but it was small, low key, and I think mostly supported the costs of the owner's pottery hobby.
My sister belonged to a large pottery studio in the Berkeley/San Francisco area, and it had a very communal feel (IIRC, it had a shop in front). I think this was it:
http://www.berkeleypottersstudio.com/index.html
I guess you know there are several directions you could take with this. Good luck!
It has been a long time since I've thrown any pots (took classes during graduate school)...in theory I'd love to take it up again, but all would depend on timing and cost, so I may not be a reliable market!
Sprout, your link to the Bay Area place is very much like what I had in mind. (I used to do some work here, incidentally. Kind of amazing that they're still around and going strong.)
I just don't know if there are enough potters in the area to support a facility like this over the long haul, and it would need a well developed business plan to be sustainable. Just testing the waters at this point, so it's great to see there's some interest.
If I were still living in the area, I would have totally been interested. Sadly, too far away now. 
Have you been to Riker Hill? There are ceramic studios there. Also contact the WO Arts council. As a potter, I would love to see this happen.
For some reason I was under the impression that Riker Hill was not going strong anymore? Not sure why I thought so, but will follow your advice about this and the WO Arts Council.
Currently taking classes in NY, but would love to have the opportunity to continue what I've learned closer to home.
There had been some drama at Riker Hill, but they have rented a few spaces recently. Keep me posted.
I keep daydreaming about setting up a clay studio, ideally in South Orange, for artists in our area.
I don't mean a paint-your-own bisque storefront, but rather a fully equipped clay studio with a reduction kiln (gas, cone 10+), electric kilns, drying closets, wheels, working plumbing, etc.
Not a school or community arts center, like VACNJ in Summit (although member artists would ideally be able to rent additional space/time to conduct classes, and it would be really great to partner with art faculty in the local schools), but a place (more along these lines) where people who want to work in clay can get local access to the resources and equipment needed to make, store, and develop their own work.
There obviously are major impediments to establishing this kind of facility, one of the most significant of which is the cost of real estate in SO; but there's also Orange and parts of E. and W. Orange, which are close enough to fit the bill.
The more important consideration is... is there any demand?
Which is why I'm throwing the idea out here!
What are your thoughts, MOLiverse?