In our “Give BOLDLY” series, we highlight local residents who are dedicated to making a difference in our communities. From volunteering at a food bank to running a nonprofit, and everywhere in-between, these individuals are passionately giving back through their philanthropic efforts. In this installment, we speak with Ananda Springsteen, the Program Director of Odyssey ClayWorks.
TEXT Jasmine Bible + PHOTOGRAPHY Aaron H. Bible
When Ananda Springsteen came to Asheville, NC, 12 years ago, it was the mountains, yoga, and the art scene that drew her. Shortly after her arrival, she discovered Odyssey ClayWorks. In existence since 1994, the center offers classes and workshops, children’s programs, artist residencies, a community studio, and a gallery where visitors can purchase ceramic works beautifully created on site.
With a degree in ceramics, Springsteen felt like she found an instant community at Odyssey. She began as a student, then became a studio technician, performing tasks like fixing kilns and preparing glazes. In 2012 she stepped into the role of Program Director, allowing her to share her passion for clay with community.
She now works alongside Owner and Director, Gabriel Klein, to keep the 5,000-square-foot warehouse running smoothly. The staff is comprised of six resident artists and 17 studio assistants who work for the studio by mixing glazes and preparing the clay in return for studio space. “It’s really the team of residents that makes the magic happen. It’s a family vibe—a group of residents teaching the next generation of artists,” shares Springsteen. There is also a renowned competitive resident artist program that is only open to six artists at a time. The two-to-three-year program is a work trade program that requires the artists to work for eight hours per week, and the residency is completed when both the artist and Odyssey agree that a level of mastery has been accomplished.
Springsteen is especially passionate about the year-round classes and workshops that she facilitates, including an incredible art therapy program. In partnership with the Asheville Area Arts Council, free pottery classes are offered for veterans—particularly those suffering from PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. She’s witnessed first hand the impact that the classes are having on the students, “You come to work with clay, but you are really working on yourself. It becomes a spiritual practice.” The safe and welcoming environment allows students to develop personal connections and experience the freedom to be creative in a way they’ve never experienced. “We’ve had students who share with us that the studio has saved them. They are able to come here and be surrounded with positive reinforcement. The studio becomes an outlet where they can work through their problems, as they work through the clay.”
Another partnership with Red Oak Recovery Program allows men and women dealing with addiction recovery to attend a partial scholarship program, where they attend two-to-three- hour classes, one-to-two times per month. The beauty of ceramics in these therapeutic opportunities is that there are no creative limits. A student can create his or her own unique way to approach a piece, resulting in vastly different outcomes. There is no right or wrong, just progress.
Springsteen has also helped to established the Odyssey Scholarship Fund, whose mission is to make Odyssey’s programs available to all members of Asheville and surrounding communities regardless of their income level. An annual auction, featuring 140+ items from emerging and established artists helps to fund this program. “Community is at the foundation of what we create at Odyssey ClayWorks. I truly love my job, and being able to bring some good into the world. I get to facilitate people having meaningful, creative experiences all day.”
Learn more about how you can give back in our Giving Boldly blog post.
We shared this story with you in our Spring/Summer 2019 Issue of NEST Magazine. To view the full issue, click here.