Joanna Gragnani has rolled out a paid membership program at 43rd Street Studios, where artists can rent studio space to work on pottery. (Photos courtesy of 43rd Street Studios)
After acquiring the home of a pottery studio that operated for decades in Forest Hill, Joanna Gragnani has put her own spin on the storefront.
Her 43rd Street Studios recently launched a paid membership program that provides access to rentable clay-working workspaces and an expanded schedule of pottery classes at 1412 W. 43rd St.
The space was previously occupied by Robin Cage’s 43rd Street Gallery, which shuttered in January after more than 35 years of operation.
When Gragnani, a fellow ceramics artist, learned of Cage’s plans to close her gallery and retire, the two started to talk about a transition that led to Gragnani’s take over of the space on 43rd Street.
“We had known each other and then just got connected when I heard she was going to retire. We kept talking and trying to come up with the best way to move forward with the space. She wanted a potter to take over, someone who had similar interests as her,” Gragnani said. “I’ve done pottery for a while and I’ve been involved in community studios in Richmond. I’ve seen what’s been done and I wanted to make my own space.”
Cage sold the building for $226,000 in January to an LLC tied to Neil Nordheim, Gragnani’s partner. Gragnani’s own LLC bought business assets from Cage for around $20,000.
Pottery made by artists who work out of 43rd Street Studios. (Courtesy 43rd Street Studios)
In addition to the introduction of the rentable workspaces concept and a greater emphasis on pottery classes, Gragnani also powered down the retail gallery that existed during Cage’s tenure.
“We’re focusing more on the space as a community space and a gathering space,” Gragnani said. “(Cage) would do classes but she really focused on the gallery.”
The move came as a way for Gragnani, who has three young children with Nordheim, to juggle motherhood and the new business venture. She said that the gallery would have required her to be a more consistent presence, while the workstations pivot allows her more freedom to come and go.
To maintain a retail presence, Gragnani leases a portion of the building to friend Jodi Viera, who owns One Little World, which sells home goods and jewelry sourced from developing and third-world countries. It opened in the 43rd Street space in June.
“We thought that’d be a good way to have a retail component,” Gragnani said.
The pottery work spaces at 43rd Street Studios are rented on a monthly rate and are already booked up, Gragnani said.
“We already have a wait list, which is really cool,” Gragnani said.
The building has three private studios and a communal studio that multiple people share.
The most expensive private studio is $550 a month. A full-time member who uses the shared studio space pays $225 a month. Gragnani said she has a total of 12 members at the studio.
Full-time members of the communal space have 24-hour access to the work area. Part-time members, who pay $125 a month, are able to use the communal studio 10 hours a week.
43rd Street Studios rolled out its membership program in April, and followed up with its pottery classes in June.
Cage continues to make pottery out of one of the private studios. Gragnani said it’s been educational to have the building’s former owner around as a business mentor.
“There’s definitely been some ups and downs with the process, but also some really special moments of connecting with Robin and learning the business and getting tips on how to do things. It’s been helpful and we get along really well,” Gragnani said.
Joanna Gragnani has rolled out a paid membership program at 43rd Street Studios, where artists can rent studio space to work on pottery. (Photos courtesy of 43rd Street Studios)
After acquiring the home of a pottery studio that operated for decades in Forest Hill, Joanna Gragnani has put her own spin on the storefront.
Her 43rd Street Studios recently launched a paid membership program that provides access to rentable clay-working workspaces and an expanded schedule of pottery classes at 1412 W. 43rd St.
The space was previously occupied by Robin Cage’s 43rd Street Gallery, which shuttered in January after more than 35 years of operation.
When Gragnani, a fellow ceramics artist, learned of Cage’s plans to close her gallery and retire, the two started to talk about a transition that led to Gragnani’s take over of the space on 43rd Street.
“We had known each other and then just got connected when I heard she was going to retire. We kept talking and trying to come up with the best way to move forward with the space. She wanted a potter to take over, someone who had similar interests as her,” Gragnani said. “I’ve done pottery for a while and I’ve been involved in community studios in Richmond. I’ve seen what’s been done and I wanted to make my own space.”
Cage sold the building for $226,000 in January to an LLC tied to Neil Nordheim, Gragnani’s partner. Gragnani’s own LLC bought business assets from Cage for around $20,000.
Pottery made by artists who work out of 43rd Street Studios. (Courtesy 43rd Street Studios)
In addition to the introduction of the rentable workspaces concept and a greater emphasis on pottery classes, Gragnani also powered down the retail gallery that existed during Cage’s tenure.
“We’re focusing more on the space as a community space and a gathering space,” Gragnani said. “(Cage) would do classes but she really focused on the gallery.”
The move came as a way for Gragnani, who has three young children with Nordheim, to juggle motherhood and the new business venture. She said that the gallery would have required her to be a more consistent presence, while the workstations pivot allows her more freedom to come and go.
To maintain a retail presence, Gragnani leases a portion of the building to friend Jodi Viera, who owns One Little World, which sells home goods and jewelry sourced from developing and third-world countries. It opened in the 43rd Street space in June.
“We thought that’d be a good way to have a retail component,” Gragnani said.
The pottery work spaces at 43rd Street Studios are rented on a monthly rate and are already booked up, Gragnani said.
“We already have a wait list, which is really cool,” Gragnani said.
The building has three private studios and a communal studio that multiple people share.
The most expensive private studio is $550 a month. A full-time member who uses the shared studio space pays $225 a month. Gragnani said she has a total of 12 members at the studio.
Full-time members of the communal space have 24-hour access to the work area. Part-time members, who pay $125 a month, are able to use the communal studio 10 hours a week.
43rd Street Studios rolled out its membership program in April, and followed up with its pottery classes in June.
Cage continues to make pottery out of one of the private studios. Gragnani said it’s been educational to have the building’s former owner around as a business mentor.
“There’s definitely been some ups and downs with the process, but also some really special moments of connecting with Robin and learning the business and getting tips on how to do things. It’s been helpful and we get along really well,” Gragnani said.
Really cool concept here and the physical space as well looks fantastic. Just drove by the other day!! Congrats!
How does one learn about available beginner classes?
Thank you!
This was my mom and dad’s grocery store for many years, late 40’s to early 60s. I delivered groceries in the neighborhood on a bicycle. Good times.