Brooklyn Clay Industries
Photos by Curt Saunders for Black-Owned Brooklyn
You could say that artist Reuben King, owner of the ceramics studio Brooklyn Clay Industries, got into pottery for the culture. Literally. A native of Dominica, he grew up with pottery-making as a time-honored tradition.
“In my community there was a pottery factory that produced vases, goblets and other vessels made with local clays that we used to keep water cool,” says Reuben, 55.
After high school, he enrolled in a two-year certificate program that prepared him to sculpt and sell designs for the Caribbean island’s tourism industry. Craving greater creative expression, he continued his studies at art and design colleges in Kingston, Jamaica and in Naples and Florence, Italy. Reuben eventually opened his own ceramics studio in 1995 in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and he’s still teaching the craft from there nearly 25 years later. “For us it’s about building a space where people can just come in and be creative,” he says.
“I love the functionality of clay; that you can create things to be used but with a beautiful aesthetic.”
Reuben’s inspiration for opening Brooklyn Clay Industries back in ‘95? “Basically, having a space to work,” he says. To offset the considerable costs of the Brooklyn Navy Yard studio and his pottery-making equipment, he initially invited other ceramicists seeking space to create, then started teaching.
Today the studio offers a bustling calendar of classes for brand-new beginners and those with solid experience behind the pottery wheel, all in a sunny, colorful environment. With an amazing view of the East River and Manhattan skyline (and permission to BYOB), it’s a unique experience and a very good time.
“I love the functionality of clay; that you can create things to be used but with a beautiful aesthetic,” Reuben says. “People often don’t have a good understanding of the process and what goes into it, so we strongly encourage pottery appreciation here.”
Get familiar with the medium — and take home a coffee mug, serving bowl or other functional piece of art that you made with your own hands — at one of Brooklyn Clay Industries’ many offerings: a BYOB Intro to Pottery Wheel class, their 10-week program, the Handbuilding Complimentary Wine course and even a master class.
If you want to do your own thing, they have open studio hours. And if you’re scrambling for a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift (reminder: it’s this Friday), book their Pottery Date Night now! ♥️
63 Flushing Ave., Building 62, 301 395-0143, brooklynclayindustries.com
