You perhaps didn’t think you could come closer to clay in this crowded and bustling city of Dhaka in a manner that is both therapeutic and entertaining at the same time. However, there is a cozy little pottery studio hidden away on the periphery of Dhaka city, for you to escape to and rejoice in the fluidity of clay. Clay Station Dhaka, the pottery studio, which is a brainchild of Sharmin Ahmed and Co-founded by Sayeed Chowdhury, is a gift to Dhaka dwelers in the form of a healthier entertainment choice. Growing up, we had many outdoor entertainment options like going cycling, playing, venturing into adventures with comrades, but then our options are condensed into just being restaurants, cafes or a screen at home. Clay station emerged from the unfulfilled need of a creative source of amusement or even distraction of the good kind.
From traveling around the world, both Ms Sharmin and Mr Sayeed experienced the abundance of recreational activities, to choose from, in the developed countries. In contrast to which they felt a stark lack of recreational choices would aid in unveiling one’s creativity or imagination, here in Dhaka. The founders stumbled upon the idea while visiting a pottery studio in the United States of America, where they laid witness to the magical property of clay in bringing people of all ages, gender, race or ability together in a fun and engaging way. Ms Sharmin recalls a couple in their 60s on a blind date getting to know each other through an engaging pottery painting session. She says, “Pottery could be a great choice for ice-breaking. It is calming yet it could be interactive too.”
Neither being from the Ceramics background, they embarked upon this testing journey of creating a platform for the youth of Dhaka city, to indulge in creative activities that resonate with nature. The two spotted an untapped potential in the entertainment industry in Bangladesh which led them to put their business acumen and professional experience into play to build the pottery studio. They gathered ceramic graduates from Charukola and Santiniketan, India to provide and guide the patrons with the services and products they offer today. Being the pioneer in setting up a pottery studio in Dhaka, they both had to face numerous challenges. There being no pre-existing market for pottery meant sourcing for the ingredients and machines was difficult. They learnt that even the most basic of pottery ingredients like the china clay cannot be found in the local market and using the red clay found in abundance at the riverbanks would reduce the functionality as they could not be painted on or put under high temperature. So they started to source the imported clay from local suppliers and the ceramic glaze for tableware is imported from the USA, the UK or India as it is not available here in a safe composition and contains lead which can lead to lead poisoning. The wheels are imported from Japan, as these automated Japanese pottery wheels are more user-friendly and convenient. They also started to procure porcelain clay from a leading ceramics manufacturing company, Artisan Ceramics Ltd., to make the small keepsakes to paint on at the studio.
Clay Station was created to offer cherished and memorable experiences to its patrons. And they wanted to ensure the experience would be the safest they could offer. But as a result of having to import the ingredients in use, the price of the sessions with clay at the studio goes up. Ms Sharmin says, “We wanted to create the safest environment for people to come and indulge in our services. And while ensuring the safety of our patrons and the sustainability of Clay Station, we have to keep the pricing as is and work to create awareness among the people of the therapeutic properties of clay.”
“The inspiration to keep pushing forward with Clay Station, honestly, comes from our patrons. They are so appreciative of our initiative that we feel very hopeful about the work we’re doing and get the courage to take it further”
Clay Station’s studio was initially located at the heart of Banani, over by the picturesque lake to complement the beautiful experience as a whole. Since then, the studio location has changed but without compromising on the experience. Ms Sharmin adds, “A pottery studio I believe should be closer to nature to enhance the whole experience.” Today, the studio is located at Chef’s Table Courtside which ensures a closeness to nature and also a family-friendly environment. Sunlight pours into this tranquil studio through the big glass windows. And as you look outside you discover yourself surrounded by greenery and the vast blue sky. And to preserve the authenticity of the studio, no plans of opening new branches are on the horizon. But instead, to make pottery more popular, small franchises at different offices or schools could be seen in the future.
Even though the target audience were the youth, it was later found out that families with young children responded really well to the captivating activities that went on at the studio. Their three services, Pick and Paint, Pay with Clay and Throw at Wheel are innovative and a great way to relax, learn and explore. It is loved by the parents as it is so rare to find fun activities to do with kids.
For Pick and Paint you pick one the cutest pre-made bisques from a range of shapes of a unicorn, puppy, airplane, cactus, and rainbows among many more and paint them in the brightest of colours and your imagination. It’s such a fun and creative activity for children and adults who want to feel young too. Play with Clay will allow you to get creative with a soft doughy clay ball and bring your imagination to life. You can follow your heart and see where that takes you. Chances are, you’ll end up with a meaningful keepsake of your own design which you can later in a week, come back, paint and take home for an extra charge. The possibilities are endless with this one.
And last but not the least, Throw at Wheel lets you get messy with a ball of clay thrown at the wheel and with the guidance from the mentor present, you turn that clay into something functional or even artistic. You’ll be able to make bowls, vases and bottles too at the wheels. And if you’re no expert, you’ll still be making a memory worth treasuring. This is the most delicate but also the most healing. These services provided here are great feed for the soul. It creates an exceptional environment for one’s creative outlet. Clay Station offers the busy and strained city dwellers a soothing way to unwind and get away from their daily anxiety. It allows for parents to bond with their children through creativity, friends in a group to have fun playing with colours or individuals looking to spend time alone to become one with the clay. “Crafting is an incredible way to articulate creativity. So we are working to include pottery as an extracurricular activity at schools. Clay Station had the opportunity to work with the Inner circle of SAJIDA Foundation to unfold magic with children with special needs.
So, what else is next for Clay Station? Clay Station now hosts classes where you can learn how to make terracotta and stoneware jewelry under the patient guidance of expert artisans. They are also conducting terracotta platter or mural making workshops catering to the terracotta enthusiasts. It also has a small line of sustainable products like the self-cooling bottles or the self-cooling jars, made with the natural terracotta clay infused with the organic property of keeping water cool and pH balanced, or the aesthetic stoneware ceramic bottles if one wants to keep it decorative. These earthy yet chic clay jars will take you back to the basics. The founder, Ms Sharmin states “I feel very passionate about the climate and want to reduce the use of single-use plastic by coming together with various corporate offices and schools and replacing the plastic bottles atop every desk with our self-cooling or stoneware water bottles.” She adds, “The inspiration to keep pushing forward with Clay Station, honestly, comes from our patrons. They are so appreciative of our initiative that we feel very hopeful about the work we’re doing and get the courage to take it further.
With all that’s said, there remains no room for questioning whether you should visit or not. If you want to experience something unique on the weekends, take some time away from your daily chores, this experience is one of a kind and will surely leave your soul wanting more.
Written by Mahfuza Tasnim Noshin
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