Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Ortlieb.
Sarah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After graduating college with my BA in English and an undeclared minor in ceramics, I started working with children at an art studio in the suburbs. When I decided to move into the city, I found a job teaching pre-k and kindergarten. As a child, I always found solace in art, especially clay and I used it as often as I could in my lesson plans.
I wanted so badly to get my master’s degree in art therapy, however, I decided I had enough student loan debt to deal with. I worked hard, loving my students but miserably affected by the administrative team, dealing with unsafe working conditions and unhappy co-workers.
I worked for about 3 years teaching to strengthen my backbone and then took the leap into entrepreneurship to start a non-profit organization — a community art space with a focus in ceramics where our neighbors can practice an exercise in self-control and self-expression using clay as their medium.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been financially tough to get Nodd Pottery off the ground, and we are always seeking new patrons to support our mission.
I act as the president, operator, teacher — I’m even my own janitor.
As president, I also handle all of the back end bits, like taxes and licensing.
It’s a struggle day to day, but it’s not an unhappy one.
Please tell us about Nodd Pottery.
Nodd Pottery offers a regular pottery practice and community open studio hours every week. We serve as a neighborhood art space in which members of the community can walk in and exercise their own creativity with technical guidance and assistance. Nodd Pottery also offers private lessons, community workshops and kiln rental space for local artists.
Nodd Pottery strives to become a community art hub with a focus on ceramics and sculpture for both adults and children. Nodd Pottery runs the Art About You after-school enrichment program to encourage and allow the opportunity for creativity as an affordable, afterschool option and we are constantly finding new ways to help scholarship low-income families through all our programs.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wouldn’t want to start over. I’ve learned a lot through the difficulties I’ve faced and there is no hope for a better past. I keep my eyes on the road ahead.
Pricing:
- $22 walk-in fee
- $38/hour for private lessons
- $35 for some kiln space
Contact Info:
- Address: 7063 N Glenwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626 - Website: Noddpottery.com
- Phone: 630-267-6355
- Email: sarah@noddpottery.com
- Instagram: @noddpottery
- Facebook: Facebook.com/noddpottery
- Other: Patreon.com/noddpottery
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
