ABOUT THE STUDIO
CLAY HANDS STUDIO LIVES IN THE HEART OF THE SWEETEST OASIS IN WOODSTOCK, CAPE TOWN. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE CITY, YOU'LL FIND THE SANCTUARY THAT IS 196 VICTORIA AND THE CLAY HANDS STUDIO.
Once you enter through the doors of this intriguing building it's like entering another world. First you’ll find a jungly cafe in the front of the building with treats and delectable lunches, then there’s the 196 Gallery with independent art shows regularly covering the walls, before walking out into our Italian-esque courtyard where you’ll notice the silence and won’t be able to believe you’re still in bustling Woodstock. The only noise might be coming from the hum of our potters wheels. Or maybe you notice a strange knocking sound? That’s Abdon, the finest leatherworker, just to the left of us.
If you venture up the stairs from the courtyard you’ll find yourself looking out at a classic Table Mountain view, a regular sunset viewing spot for clay students in the summer months. Turning to look into the building from here you’ll find our yoga studio. The yoga studio is run by Yanna of Emerge and you can catch poetic alignment-based classes Monday and Wednesday evenings.
Peek into some of the rooms lining the serene upstairs corridors you’ll find many different crafters, makers and artists - macrame, crochet, felting and sewing keeping many hands busy. Sometimes we have the sweet sounds of children filling the building when on break from the Inala mental health foundation programs.
Our kilns live in the side garage of the building, shared with Justin the metal worker who can literally make you anything you can imagine. And upstairs from the garage is our resident artist, Tracy Payne.
So, as you can see the quirky 196 building is filled with a most unique community of makers and shakers and we’re so lucky to share it. Next time you come visit the Clay Hands studio, take a spin around the building :)
How we came to be here
Three generations of women potting. Born into the clay lineage, Tash set up the Clay Hands studio after growing up in Earth Play Studio and training with her mother, Lissa. Lissa, followed her mother, Valerie.