This article appeared in the May 2014 issue of Organic Hudson Valley.  (A direct link can be found under Links to Articles).

Judi Esmond has loved art ever since she was a child.  She was introduced to her first pottery wheel by her father at the age of six, and learned more about pottery as a skill while at college.  “I always loved it,” Esmond said.  “It always reminded me of being relaxed, which I needed, even as a child.”

Today, Judi runs Hudson Valley Pottery where she teaches classes with Meg Oliver.  They teach a range of classes, as well as workshops for children and hold camps over the summer.  “Birthday parties have been a hit with kids,” Esmond said, speaking about their success with events aimed at kids.  “It’s not the computer.”

Being engaged with the world and away from the computer screen is something that is important to Esmond, who used to do photography, but felt that she was spending all of her time staring at a screen.  The kids’ activities are great for getting them to stop staring at a screen and work with others.  “It’s a great way to get kids off the computer,” Esmond said.  “It’s like an indoor playground.  They’re individually working, but they’re sharing a space and giggling.  It’s really a great thing.”

Esmond also hopes to expand the classes to include work with children with Asperger’s Syndrome, something she has done to a small degree on an informal level, but hopes to expand on.  “I have some people refer students to me, therapists that have worked with certain children and adults and it’s been a great success,” Esmond said.  “I think it’s very therapeutic, but my goal is to work with more of them in the future because I feel that there’s a lot of benefit.”  Esmond is also hoping to begin a program with homeschoolers.  “My goal is to really reach out this year and try to get something regular going where people come here and do some work in the studio regularly.”

The studio also offers many different types of classes for people of all ages.  They offer special firings and pit firings for different pieces of pottery and clay artwork.  “We make special arrangements and do workshops for people who are interested,” Esmond said.  “People can come and make their own work there or bring work that they’ve done.”

Esmond is engaged in many facets of art, in addition to pottery, and has taught art for SUNY New Paltz and the New Paltz Central School District, as well as having an interest in photography, something she continues to pursue.  “I don’t want to give up photography,” Esmond said.  “I still shoot film.  I want to incorporate that into the business somehow, too.  It’s still new and I’m still figuring it all out.”

The decision to open a studio resulted from a desire to make art and teach art for herself.  “This was a natural transition to my own school and hopefully have a little more time to do my own art on the side,” Esmond said.

This is not to say opening her own studio hasn’t presented Esmond with challenges.  “I’m intimidated by the business aspect because I’m really a teacher and have worked for non-profits,” Esmond said.  “It was difficult taking money, but I’m getting used to it.  Having my own photography business on the side has helped me understand the value of art as a service.”  She also cites the long working hours that come with running your own business as a challenge, but the reward is being your own boss.  “I have a lot of enjoyment with making work through other people, but as I’m here, I’m starting to realize that it is possible for the challenge of making my own work again,” Esmond added.  “It’s going to be exciting.”