A Place for Everyone

We open our doors to individuals from various walks of life, ensuring that art remains accessible and inclusive:

• Children, Youth, & Teens: Engaging young minds through in-school & after-school programs, homeschool enrichment, family activities, and summer camps.

• Emerging Adults: Supporting self expression and skills development for 18-21 year-olds transitioning from high school to adult life.

• Communities Affected by Trauma & Addiction: Offering therapeutic opportunities for individuals navigating mental health challenges, trauma, and substance-use recovery.

• Disabled & Neurodivergent Communities: Providing tailored programs for individuals with intellectual, developmental, physical, cognitive, and learning disabilities.

• Older Adults: Bringing enrichment to residents in independent-living, assisted-living, and memory-care residences.

• Intersectional Groups: Striving to increase arts accessibility to LGBTQIA+, migrant, immigrant, and veteran communities, with a vision for more tailored programs in the future.

Community Partners:
A Way Out
Access AfterSchool
Alpine Bank
Ascendigo
Aspen Art Museum
Challenge Aspen
Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
Cook Inclusive
English In Action
Gay for Good
HeadQuarters

Jaywalker Lodge
Momenta Recovery Women's Treatment
National Young Farmers Coalition
Ready for the World
Roaring Fork Club
Roaring Fork Senior Living
Sopris Lodge at Carbondale Senior Living
The Buddy Program
WindWalkers
Youth Recovery Center
Youthentity

Beyond the Studio: Education & Outreach

Through partnerships with 19 schools and counting across the Roaring Fork Valley, from preK-12th grade, CCC brings clay into the curriculum, making hands-on learning an essential part of a child’s education. As an approved provider for the Colorado Homeschool Enrichment Program, we help to ensure that every child has access to extracurricular opportunities in the arts.

Strengthening Our Community

CCC goes beyond the arts, playing a vital role in professional and economic development. We support young professionals, educators, and artists through scholarships, mentorships, and continuing education opportunities. By collaborating with local nonprofits, businesses, and arts organizations, we contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the Roaring Fork Valley.

If you or your organization are interested in getting involved with the Carbondale Clay Center, please reach out to us at programs@carbondaleclay.org

Art as Connection & Healing

Clay is more than just a material—it is a tactile tool for empowerment and self-discovery. Our programs support individuals and groups by providing a safe space to explore the therapeutic effects of clay. With over 20 local partnerships, CCC facilitates meaningful experiences for participating organizations across arts & recreation, community advocacy, disability services, education & literacy, rehabilitation & support services, and youth empowerment.

As we grow, we are committed to expanding accessibility, cultural vitality, and sustainability initiatives. Our goals include:

Broadened Community Outreach

• Increasing social accessibility through Spanish-language offerings, ASL interpretation, and bilingual materials.

• Accessibility-Focused Classes: Programs designed specifically for individuals with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities, with adaptive tools, like wheelchair accessible throwing wheels and specialized instruction.

• Programs for Underserved Communities: Sliding-scale or scholarship supported classes for low-income families, immigrant communities, and others who may not typically have access to arts education.

• Community Clay Days: Open-studio events with hands-on activities, artist demos, designed to foster intergenerational and cross-cultural connections.

• Strengthened School & Family Engagement

• Mobile Clay Studio: Bringing clay experiences directly into schools, libraries, and community centers throughout the Roaring Fork Valley.

• School Partnerships Expansion: Collaborating with more local and regional schools to provide clay residencies, in-school workshops, and teacher training.

• Family Membership Programs: Providing incentives for families to regularly participate together in classes and events, building community and creative bonds.

• Art + Wellness Initiatives: Integrating ceramics into social-emotional learning for children and therapeutic art practices for families and individuals facing trauma or stress.

Artist Support and Creative Development

• Advanced Masterclasses: Hosting nationally and internationally recognized ceramic artists for intensive, technique-driven workshops for advanced students and professionals.

• Interdisciplinary Arts Integration: Offering cross-medium workshops combining ceramics with painting, sculpture, printmaking, or digital media.

• Expanded Residency Program: Growing the number of resident artists and offering new types of residencies, such as short-term, international exchange, or community-based projects.

• Mentorship Opportunities: Pairing emerging artists with seasoned professionals to foster long-term artistic and career development.

• Collaborative Studio Models: Creating co-working ceramics spaces with shared tools and kilns for local artists, hobbyists, and educators.

Increased Exhibition & Event Capacity

• Larger Gallery Spaces: Enabling more robust, rotating contemporary ceramic exhibitions featuring regional, national, and international ceramic artists.

• Public Art & Installation Projects: Supporting large-scale, community-driven ceramic installations throughout Carbondale and surrounding areas.