The concept of "being present" is oft-cited as doing wonders for mental wellness, and few activities are more present than crafting a ceramics piece.
Nicole Peredo found that peace via clay creations early in life, and is now spreading the wellness word at Santa Monica’s pottery palace, ARTime Barro. The 302 Pico Blvd. location opened three months ago, and the artistic communal space is already keeping stressful minds at ease.
"When I would teach my students, I would always hear them say that working with clay is already so therapeutic, and it’s like therapy for them coming in … it’s the most present mediation thing you could do … because I like to do it personally in my own life, attending sound baths and practicing meditation … I thought that it could be a cool way to bring the two together, even though they’re already kind of melding into one," Peredo said.
Already having successfully started studios in places like Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach, Peredo’s caring for clay came from her mother, who would hold lessons for locals in her youth. Now in Santa Monica, she wants to bridge art and wellness with the space via activities like yoga and sound baths. A "sound bath" is a meditative experience where participants are "bathed" in sound waves created from instruments like gongs and chimes, a healing tactic going back thousands of years.
The pottery pro noted that these wellness ventures serve Santa Monica’s entertainment industry workers, who often need an escape from constant stressors.
"They come [in] a little stressed," Peredo said. "We talk about what they’ve done and they [come here] because they were in need of something that’s more wellness and grounded and creative in a different way … [we’re] a resource for people that are in the industry still or were before, where they can continue on their creativity."
That’s not to say the focus is entirely on these events, as clay creations are still Peredo’s bread and butter, stating the spot is "like a gym for ceramics." Barro, the Spanish word for clay, was added to her ARTime branding to "bring in a culture" and make a distinction from previous endeavors, with the owner adding that "it’s very much a niche that can do well in LA." Making her own pieces has taken a back seat to helping others pick up the art form, with teaching coming "naturally" from past experience as a swim coach and an English teacher during her time in Spain.
"A lot of people come in and say that they’re not creative, and I like to kind of show them that there’s different ways to be creative, specifically with ceramics," Peredo said. "It’s really special because it’s so hands-on … and I think it’s a lot of fun because it’s not just a painting, it’s something you can use every day, [like a] bowl, cup, mug. People tend to be very proud of what they make because it’s something very utilitarian, but it is art at the end of the day."
First-timers can get their feet [and hands] wet with the one-hour, one-time class that teaches two basic creations, one molded on a table and another on the wheel, an exciting non-committal experience best served for groups and private events. Another one-time class focuses on the potter’s wheel exclusively, using basic techniques to craft a flower pot for home use.
Those that get hooked can continue their clay careers with ongoing project-based classes, as well as semi-private two-hour classes with no more than four participants being taught all the techniques by an instructor. Three months in, the class schedule has been flowing smoothly, with Peredo particularly enticed by the beach vibes of her clientele.
"It seems like it’s a very accepting, beautiful community … they’re excited to be able to have another space to be creative," Peredo added. "I subconsciously chose Santa Monica because I feel a very good energy whenever I have come and the people have proven to show me that they’re really great [people] here."
To sign up for ARTime Barro classes and wellness workshops, visit artimebarro.com.
thomas@smdp.com
