The Cupertino Courier

Community

Money woes force center to close doors

By Cody Kraatz

The Mother Earth Clay Art Center just celebrated its third anniversary, but is closing its doors in the middle of September because it cannot afford to pay the rent for its 10,000-square-foot facility.

The membership-based center has raised $2,500 since a fundraising drive in July, a long way from the $100,000 it needs to move and reopen. Members can access the center 24 hours per day.

"I know there's lots of money in Silicon Valley," said Abby O'Connell, owner of the center. She hopes a wealthy patron will come to the center's rescue.

A more realistic goal, she said, may be for the center's associated nonprofit foundation to raise $20,000 to $25,000 to buy equipment during a liquidation sale over Labor Day weekend. She would like to move directly into a more affordable 5,000- to 7,000-square-foot location, but more likely will have to store equipment for a few months.

"It's such a vibrant community that I just can't see it going away. I'm looking at this as a metamorphosis opportunity," she said.

The foundation's mission includes classes and workshops for all ages and a program at the juvenile hall in San Jose, but is on hold for now.

"We've done all the development work and we're ready to throw the switch as soon as we've got the studio part stabilized," said O'Connell.

Mother Earth is holding an equipment sale, art auction and barbecue on Sept. 1 and 2 at its current location, 790 Lucerne Drive. It has to be out by Sept. 15, and would like to find a warehouse in the same light industrial area.

To donate or learn more, visit www.mamasclay.org or call 408.245.6262.