Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Nilsson.
Hi Madison, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
My name is Madison (owner of Salt Lake Pottery Studio) and I was first introduced to pottery in 2011. My mom and my mom’s mom loved the arts and creating. They both always had a room in their homes specifically for creating art. Then one day my mom took me to a community pottery studio that she went to and taught me how to wheel throw.
My mom helped me make my very first pot and I remember being frustrated but loving how messy it was. Wheel throwing was an art and I wanted to learn everything about this art. I loved how much my mom loved every medium of art and I wanted to be just like her. She taught me the importance of sharing her craft with the world. Hell, I grew up around my mom’s art. From the bowls she made and the utensil holder in our kitchen (that was made by my mom the year I was born) to the massive watercolor flower painting she created.
I know it’s so cliche to say this but my mom always told me that I could do anything I set my mind to and that I could do hard things. Well, let me tell you this – opening a small business is not for the faint of heart. My mom taught me that I can do hard things and hell – owning a small business is hard. However, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love working hard for my dream and sharing my craft and passion with my community.
Back story on my family and why I chose to have a bee as the logo for my art studio- both sides of the family were Mormon settlers. From my mom’s mom’s side of the family, we have deep roots in pottery here in SLC. My ancestor Henry Maiben was the artist (in 1853) who designed and produced the “Beehive” for the state of Utah which was woven into the first silk handkerchief made in Utah. He was also one of the founders and active member of the Salt Lake City Deseret Academy of Fine Art where he taught art classes. Deseret Academy of Fine Arts offered many community art classes to SLC. In addition, my mom’s dad was a bee farmer. Hence the Bee in our logo. Family and the love of the arts in our great state of Utah!
Anyways, backtracking here… years have gone by since 2011 and I was going to another local pottery studio in SLC for years before opening my own. Fear and doubts about opening my studio kept holding me back. Then in the summer of 2022, the opportunity came up and came up fast to open my very own studio that I have been daydreaming about for over a decade. From October 2022-February 2023 operation open Salt Lake Pottery Studio began. Day in and day out I was at the studio renovating and prepping the studio to open.
Sanding, painting, stripping down old tables, demolishing walls, building walls, and everything in between. I’ve never had a ton of money and my day job was funding this project while my fiancé supported me financially. I worked full time at an office job and worked full time opening the studio. Day in and day out was work! My passion, my dream, and the support of loved ones fueled me to continue to keep going. Finally, the day came when classes opened up for registration about a month before opening the doors (February 2023) and by the time the doors were open on March 1st, 2023 – we sold out of every class!
From day one the community has given SLPS so much support. I am so grateful that our SLC community sees the value in creating and connecting. The studio has taken off and keeps growing because of the support we continue to experience from our community. Salt Lake City is truly something special. Waking up every day and being able to go to the studio, and create with our community is a dream come true. Worth every late night and countless hours of getting this business open.
Today, we have 100 students each month. We have 60 members. We have 20 local artists who display their artwork for sale in our local art market in our front lobby. We are at max capacity every month and I just can’t believe it. I am so incredibly grateful.
For the artists who display here at the studio. It is so expensive to try and sell your art brick and mortar places and at art events. I know this because that is what I did before opening the studio. I want to promote and support local artists as much as I can. Which is why I created the SLPS Community Art Program. It is free to apply and display your art here in our gallery and artists keep 100% of the profits.
We are not a point of sale and every artist has their Venmo to accept payment for each art piece sold. I think their work beautifies the studio, inspires our community to continue to keep on creating, and supports local artists to continue to keep creating and selling their work!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building and renovating the studio from the ground up without outsourcing was difficult. No doubt about it. In addition to the build-out, I was building the website and marketing the studio for people to find out about the new pottery studio on the block! I was doing anything and everything you can think of to open this business. The average person (like myself) doesn’t know how much work and everything you have to do to open up a business. It’s crazy.
The only way I can describe the process of opening a business is you are running a marathon, but you have to run the marathon blindfolded, and it is uphill both ways and there are hurdles you have to jump over. You also don’t know when or where the hurdles are going to appear. However, I believe I have always been a tenacious and determined woman. No matter the hurdle I come up against in life, with the support of my loved ones I can jump over any hurdle.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am not only a businesswoman, but an artist. I thrive on running my business. It is an art within itself to run a business and I love it! Every day is different and I love that about being a business owner. Also creating something out of nothing but an idea and a dream is something so f*cking cool. However, I am first and foremost an artist. I am a wheel-throwing gal at heart. I love making functional art. Anything from bowls, plates, vases, mugs, and more.
I love being able to use my art every day. In addition, I teach here at SLPS alongside 6 other teachers. I love sharing my passion with others. Also, teaching is an art within itself and I love love LOVE teaching. Especially our intro course. It’s so cool to witness people experience playing with clay for the first time and creating something out of a ball of clay.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. Community and connecting with our community will always come first.
Salt Lake Pottery Studio is a place where clay meets community, and art intertwines with connection. We’re more than just a studio; we’re a space dedicated to fostering creativity, forging friendships, and molding masterpieces. We believe in the power of hands-on expression.
Our studio will continue to serve as a haven for individuals passionate about pottery and the joy it brings to our community. Whether you’re a seasoned ceramic artist or just discovering the enchantment of the wheel, we welcome everyone and will always continue to welcome everyone to join our vibrant and diverse community.
Pricing:
- $75 for a one-time wheel class
- $240 for a 4-week wheel class
- $75 for a one-time hand-building class
- $185 for a monthly membership
- $825 for a private event
Contact Info:
- Website: www.saltlakepotterystudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltlakepotterystudio
- Other: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/salt-lake-pottery-studio/vi-AA1bH6FR
Image Credits
Rachel Eatough Photography @racheleatoughphotography
