September 2024 Featured MCA Institutional Member: Mill Pond Ceramics Studio

Maine Crafts Association is pleased to introduce Tamsyn Leigh Bodwell, owner of Mill Pond Ceramics Studio. Bodwell (formerly Ackerman) has always incorporated art into her life, as a designer with Mill Pond Creative and as the co-founder of Engine, an arts nonprofit in downtown Biddeford. At a holiday craft fair in 2022, the seed was planted to start a small shared studio space, which bloomed into Mill Pond Ceramics Studio, a community clay studio, in 2023. Today, Mill Pond Ceramics Studio continues as a space for ceramics enthusiasts, located in the historic North Dam Mill in the Pepperell Mill Campus in downtown Biddeford, Maine.

1: Tell us a bit about your organization, its mission and role in the Maine community (or beyond)?

The mission of Mill Pond Ceramics Studio is to build a supportive and collaborative environment. We started in March of 2023, and have seen nothing but growth up until this point. Clay is popular! The response was bigger than anticipated, a pleasant surprise. We have a broad community that people are willing to drive a distance to be a part of. I instill my personal values into the studio: Be friendly, be warm, be kind, be curious. This has contributed to the longevity of our membership. I formerly ran Engine and I missed the community building piece, networking and camaraderie.

2: What are the most important elements to your work as an organization?

All of it! The overall approach is to support the students and provide for the members. We need both of those elements to help margins and coexist. Members take classes and class attendees become members. For our members, offering 24/7 studio access is a huge plus, we do not put bumpers on creative time. We all have different habits and we do not want to hinder creative opportunities. We have had only good experiences with respectful, great people.

3: Mill Pond Ceramics is well known for its classes, do you offer additional services or programs?

Shelf and Studio Memberships! All memberships have use of common spaces and equipment, as well as access to discounts and special offers, and more. We offer Spin Sessions for couples that are really fun. We host one-off workshops  that anyone can participate in with visiting artists such as Claudia Olds Goldie, Jeremiah Ibarra, and Eck McCanless. The studio is also involved in the community outside our walls. We participate in the Maine Pottery Tour every first weekend of May and we volunteer with the Southern Maine Clay Guild.

4: How did you become involved with the Maine Crafts Association? 

I first learned about MCA through my work with Engine in Biddeford. Maine Craft Weekend made me aware, and I later joined to increase visibility for Mill Pond Ceramics Studio.

5: How would you like to see the Maine community develop over the next 10-30 years?

More investment in craft. Small batch makers need support! People notice when there is good art in a home, when they hold a good bowl — I understand that affordability can be an issue, but if we all focus on supporting, we can build a sustainable economy. MaineHealth even has original Maine art in the halls! All businesses should be supporting this economy by purchasing handmade goods.

6: What is upcoming for Mill Pond Ceramics Studio and how can people learn more and get involved?

Become a member of Mill Pond Ceramics Studio, take our classes, attend the shows, share our posts on social media and engage with our community!

• Website: Millpondceramicsstudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millpondceramicsstudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millpondceramicsstudio

Photo credit: Julie K. Gray Photography