June Business of the Month: Cracked Pot Studios

For over 12 years, Cracked Pot Studios has been a cornerstone of artistic expression in Logan County. Nestled in the heart of Union Station at 613 Hamilton Street, Bellefontaine, this vibrant studio was founded by Thelma Matthews and is growing into a thriving artistic community!

The idea for Cracked Pot Studios was born from a simple need: a space to create. When Bellefontaine City School’s old Southeastern Elementary became Union Station, a community center, Thelma and friend Francine Kauffman saw an opportunity to turn their dream into a reality. Their journey began with just two pottery wheels and an old kiln in the basement of the old school. Today, Cracked Pot Studios boasts three beautiful kilns and 16 wheels, spread across five classrooms. Thelma’s dream is constantly evolving and growing into a bustling hub of creativity and community.

Cracked Pot Studios offers a wide range of ceramics-related activities, catering to both adults and youth. Whether you’re interested in painting your own ceramics or taking classes on the wheel, or even hand-building, there’s something for everyone! The studio is particularly known for its welcoming atmosphere and sense of community it fosters among its guests. Paint Your Own Ceramics, managed by Lori Hoyles, is open to the public on Wednesdays from 12-8pm, Fridays from 5-9pm and Sundays from 12-5pm. Currently, Cracked Pot is also offering Open Studio which runs on Tuesdays from 1-4pm, June 4th to August 20th. You can purchase single day spots or 6 sessions for a discount – to do wheel, hand-build or a combination of the two! You can find more information or sign up here. Another popular activity is Beginner Pottery Class with Thelma, which is a 6-week course covering wheel, hand-build and glazing. These classes will be held on Thursdays from 6-8:30pm, July 11 through August 15. You can sign up for a spot here! To keep up to date on all the classes offered at Cracked Pot Studios (like Summer Kids Camp, Raku Workshop, Soap Dispenser making and more!), you check out their website: bellefontainecrackedpotstudios.com or follow along on Facebook!

Logan County holds a special place in Thelma’s heart, having moved back to the area 25 years ago. The location at Union Station has been Cracked Pot’s home for over a decade, providing a perfect backdrop for Thelma’s creative endeavors and a unique way to give back to the community. Cracked Pot Studios is also home to 30 community potters – from Sidney to Columbus. It’s their studio 24/7 and you can see some of their amazing work inside! The studio’s unique marketing strategy focuses on creating a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to explore their creative potential. Building genuine relationships and nurturing a supportive community are key to long-term success and Thelma’s advice is simple: love on people. When you’re in the studio, you will experience all that and more! Last year, the Chamber team had the privilege to learn on the wheel with Thelma as a team building experience and we highly recommend it to others!​

Cracked Pot thrives on the contributions of its interns and volunteers. These individuals are invaluable to the studio’s success, providing essential support and fresh ideas. If you’re passionate about ceramics and/or the community, this could be the perfect opportunity for you! You can contact Thelma at [email protected] or by calling (937) 935-4754.

Please join us in congratulating Cracked Pot Studios for being the Logan County Chamber of Commerce June 2024 Business of the Month!