We need your help to double $40,000!
Deadline: August 30th
KC Clay Guild members have always been the heart of our community. Today, we have an incredible opportunity to double our collective strength.
9 dedicated members have come together to challenge our community with a $40,000 matching gift toward our BUILD Capital Campaign. Now, they are asking fellow members to match their generosity dollar for dollar.
Your support matters more than ever!
Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to completing our new ceramic arts center at 500 W. 39th Street. Our new facility will:
Double our class and open studio capacity
Expand affordable rental shelves & artists studios
Increase community programming for all ages
If KC Clay Guild has inspired your creativity, connected you with a passionate clay community, or helped you grow as an artist, please consider making a gift today!
If you would prefer to mail in a check, click here to download the form.
Overall Project Goal
Artist in Residence, Huey Lee, at work in the handbuilding studio.
Expanding Ceramic Arts Education in Kansas City
Since 1988, KC Clay Guild (KCCG) has been a hub for ceramic arts in the Kansas City community. We're amid the largest change in the history of our organization - purchasing, renovating, and outfitting a larger studio and gallery building that will serve as a focal point for creativity, education, and collaboration.
By enhancing our facilities, we will be able to offer new low and no-cost programming, affordable artist studios, and expanded educational opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
The current KCCG studio size limits the ability to fulfill its mission.
Our current waitlist for classes is often 6 months long or greater.
We reach capacity for attendance during Family Fun Nights.
We are unable to fulfill studio or shelf space requests for our artists.
We are limited on the no/low cost programming that we are able to offer.
We have limited gallery space to be able to display and sell our artist’s works.
We need your help to make our ambitious Capital Campaign a success and expand access to ceramic arts education for the Kansas City community.
3000 individuals served each year • 930 members • Over 25% of programming is discounted or free • 100,000 pounds of clay used annually • 5,000 volunteer hours worked annually
Building Purchase & Start Renovation
KCCG’s first major Capital Campaign kicked off to raise an initial $500,000, in conjunction with a loan from IFF, to support the building purchase and start the renovation.
As of April 2025, the $500,000 goal was surpassed! We are so grateful for the support hundreds of individuals along with many foundations. Check out the donor list below.
This allowed us to purchase our new home, located in Midtown, Kansas City, MO, an 18,600 square foot building with 60 car parking lot.
Complete Renovation & Outfitting
KC Clay Guild is currently focused on working with new donors to secure leadership gifts as we work towards completing renovation and outfitting the new building with furniture and equipment.
A New Home for Creativity - an 18,600 square foot building has been purchased! This new facility will include:
Dedicated Teaching Studios: Three teaching studios designed for specialized learning— wheel throwing and handbuilding—equipped with the latest tools and resources to nurture creativity. This will allow our classes to over double, overcoming our months long waitlist.
Open Area for Exploration: A large Community Studio that encourages experimentation and collaboration between different ceramic art forms, fostering a sense of community among artists and students. This allows artists to work outside of dedicated classes and create a large gathering space for Family Fun Night.
Affordable Artist Studios: At least 4 private and 16 semi-private studios will be available for rent, allowing artists to create in a conducive space while being part of a supportive community.
Ample Shelf Space: Over 4 times our current shelf space will be available for rental, enabling artists to store in-progress works safely.
Enhanced Retail Area: A larger shop that includes more clay and tools, ensuring that artists have access to the best materials needed for their craft.
Dedicated Gallery Space: A dedicated exhibition gallery to feature more local artists and provide them with opportunities for exhibitions, enriching the cultural fabric of Kansas City.
Off Street Parking: Patrons will have an easier time accessing the building with our 55 car private parking lot.
Join Us in Shaping the Future
KC Clay Guild is at a pivotal moment in its journey. The expansion of our facilities will allow us to better serve the Kansas City community by breaking down barriers to access and encouraging artistic expression. Together, we can create a nurturing environment for both seasoned artists and those eager to dip their toes into the world of clay.
Join us in our capital campaign to transform the landscape of ceramic arts education in Kansas City. Together, we can make a lasting impact on our community and inspire generations to come. Thank you for your support!
After moving into our new space, our focus will shift to returning to our current status as a debt free organization. After the move, KCCG plans to sell our existing building (as it is currently owned outright) and use those funds to pay down our loan.
Thank You to Our Supporters
FOUNDER ( $100,000 + )
THE MEMBERS OF KC CLAY GUILD
THE MAY FAMILY CHARITABLE FUND
MURIEL MCBRIEN KAUFFMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
RICHARD J. STERN FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS, COMMERCE BANK, TRUSTEE
WINDGATE FOUNDATION
PARTNER ( $25,000 - $99,999 )
BEDNAR FAMILY FUND
BRACKER’S GOOD EARTH CLAYS
BRUGH FAMILY FOUNDATION
J. SCOTT FRANCIS, THE FRANCIS FAMILY FOUNDATION
JOHN & JOCELYN FRY DONOR ADVISED FUND
LIGHTON FUND
MELISSA MAY
ROHDE
LEADER ( $10,000 - $24,999 )
NANCY BEAN
DANIEL BRUNING & CYNTHIA DRAKE FAMILY CHARITABLE FUND
APRIL DARBYSHIRE
KAREN DICKSON-MASSEY
FORGE CONSTRUCTION
ANDY FROMM
KAUFMAN FAMILY FUND
KEARNEY WORNALL FOUNDATION
MIKE LYON CHARITABLE TRUST
DAVE MAY AND DANNY MAY
MELISSA MAY
NANCY AND KEITH MAYS CHARITABLE FUND
KATHY PAYSON
PATRON ($5,000 - $9,999 )
ANONYMOUS
ANONYMOUS
GERALDINE & R A BARROWS FOUNDATION, UMB BANK, N.A., TRUSTEE
MARILYN & RONALD HIGGINS
KOGER FAMILY CHARITABLE FUND
LEVIN FAMILY FOUNDATION
DR. ART LLOYD
MARK MAURER
MORGAN FAMILY FUND
SARAH ROWLAND IN MEMORY OF SALLY KANEY RUDDY
LLOYD AND KELLI WALKER
FRIEND ( UP TO $249 )
RACHEL AKIN
SALLY ALLEN
TAMMI ALLENSWORTH
GRETCHEN ALLEN JOHNS
CHAR ANDERSON
PAM ANDERSON
STIRLING ANDERSON
BETH ARMBRUSTER
VERONICA ARNAUTOV
CHERYL AUFDEMBERGE
SUSAN BACON
CHANDA BAKER
ASHLEY BAKER
RICKY BAMBERGER
BRANDON BARRERO
TIM BATES
LYNN BAXLEY
JULIE BERARDI
PAIGE BLASBERG
BEVIN BROOKS
ELLY BIGGERSTAFF
KRISTA BOWKER
TODD BRADLEY
CHRISTINA BROWN
MARJORIE BROWN
ABBY CALLAGHAN
CLAUDIA CAPPS
DIANE CAPPS
JESSICA CARTWRIGHT
JEFF CLAYTON
JULIE COLE
MELISSA CORNWELL
SALLY COX
GRACIE CRABTREE
GREY CRAWFORD
CASEY CURRY
KELLY DANIELS
DOMINIQUE DAVISON
TARA DAWLEY
CHANDRA DEBUSE
JULIE DENESHA
MEG DICKERSON
MATTHEW DIRKS
PAIGE DRURY
PHYLLIS EPPS
TIMOTHY ERMAN
LEE ERNST
VICKIE ESTRADA
CARY ESSER & MO DICKENS
JERRY EVANS
PATRICIA FAWKS
ALEX FERGUSON
CONNIE FINNEGAN
ANNE FIORELLA
ELIZABETH FLEMINGTON
JAN FLESHER
JON FRANCIS
MARYBETH FULLER
LISA GANN
BRIAN GARDINER
SUSAN GARRISON
DEBORAH GENDEL
ROBERT GILLESPIE
JILL GLASER
LISA GOODMAN
NIKKI GOODSON
NANCY GORDON
CHRISTINE GRAM
SOPHIA GRANTHAM
WILLIAM GRANTHAM
WILLIAM GUTHRIE
ANDREA GUZMAN
RACHEL HAGAN
PHYLLIS HAMILTON
CONNIE HARCLERODE
JODI HARPER
KAREN HARTZLER
ADVOCATE ( $2,500 - $4,999 )
BURNS AND MCDONNELL FOUNDATION
JOYCE KIRK
KOGER FAMILY CHARITABLE FUND
JOHN LANCASTER
WILLIAM MANLEY
THE PETERS FAMILY
ALVIN J SCHNEIDER CHARITABLE FUND
MELYNDA STEWARD
BARBARA & TERRY WOOD
BENEFACTOR ( $1,000 - $2,499 )
ELAINE ADAMS
IAN ARNOLD
LEONARD & IRENE BETTINGER PHILANTHROPIC FUND
BNSF RAILWAY FOUNDATION
BURNS & MCDONNELL FOUNDATION
COMMERCE BANCSHARES FOUNDATION
JOHN DEVENAY
JOHN ECK
DAVID FIRMAN
JOHN C. HAGAN III MD
MIA HARTVIKSON
CAROL KENNEDY
AL KING
KAY LANE
CARRIE MAGILL
MARY PAT MCCARTHY
ANNE MULVIHILL
PAULA MURRAY
STEPHEN PATEL
LORA AND SCOTT PETERSON IN MEMORY OF SANDI DOWER
WENDY J POWELL TRUST
WILLIAM PRATT & STACY PRATT
DR. ANNE M. REGIER
LYNN SMISER BOWERS
MICHAEL SMITH
GEORGE W. & ADA HEATH ULTCH MEMORIAL FUND - COMMERCE BANK TRUSTEE
JOEL WAXMAN
W. HUNTER WOLBACH FOUNDATION
CHRISTINA HASH
KENDALL HEATHER
SUUANN HEIM
KATE HEINAN
KELSIE HERRON
KATRIN HEUSER
BILL HERRING
STEVEN HILL
SARAH HOLDER
BRUCIE AND BILL HOPKINS
TINA HOOVER
LORA HOPKINS
BEVERLY HOPKINS
LAURA HOPPES
JOYCE HOUSEHOLDER
NELL HULL
ANDREW HUNKELE
EILEEN JAGODA
JOSEPHINE JELLIFFE
HALEY JESTER MOTT
CHANGHAO JIANG
VALERIE JOHNSON
CURTIS JONES
GRETCHEN JONES
SUSAN JONES
SADIE KANOWNIK
TARA KARAIM
DC KASHYAP
MARSHA KATZ
CLAIRE KENNEDY
KEVIN KESSLER
CASSIE KESTER
EMILY KITE
IN HONOR OF JENNY KOLBECK
LEVI KUHN
DARYN LADD
ERIK LARSEN
NANCY LASALA
HUEY LEE
ELIZABETH LEECH
NINI LEWIS
BONNIE LIMBIRD
ERICA LIN
ALLIE LOY
JENNIFER LYLES
SARA MACLEOD-ARENA
MARK MACY
CHELSEA MAGRUDER
GINA MALASHCOK
NL MAI
CIARA MALONE
KATHIE MANDA
PENNY MANN
NICOLE MARSHALL
PATTY MARSHALL
PHILLIP MARTIN
ALEX MAY
JON MAY
CAROLINE MAY
ZOE MAYS
BRYCE MCDONALD
ELIZABETH MCCAMY
CHUCK MCCARDIE
JOYCE MCFADDEN
TIMOTHY MCVAY
AMY MEYA
MATHEW MEUNIER
BREANNA MOAK
KAREN MONAHAN
MOLLY MONTGOMERY
LEIGH ANN MONTHEY
STEPHANIE MOORE
JACOB MOORE
RACHEL MORENO
KATE MORR
RACHEL MUZZY
SUPPORTER ( $250 - $999 )
AIMEE ADAMS
ANONYMOUS
DANIEL BECKER
SHARON BOWEN
CATHY BROSKI
ERIC CALDWELL
ELIZABETH CALIGUR
LINDA CALLAHAN
DANIEL CAPLAN
MARNE CLOSE
CAL COHEN
KELLEY CRAMM
NATE CROSSER
DICK DANIELS
SARAH DIEHL
JANE EDWARDS
THE SAUL & IRENE ELLIS FAMILY CHARITABLE FUND
SEAN FINNEGAN
GINA FRISELLA SPENGEL
MICHELLE GANGEL
ALISON GRAETTINGER
JORDAN HORN
JUDITH KAHN
CAROLYN KROH
E. THOMAS MCCLANAHAN
PAULA MURRAY
RAE ANN NIXON
KAREN NORMAN
SAMANTHA NUTT
KATHY OLDER
VIRGINIA OSTERGREN
ROSALIND PERCY
PERKINS-MCGUINESS & BENJAMIN FAMILY FUND
IN HONOR OF FIONA RUTGERS
LISA SCHMITZ
LUCY SPARE
PATTI STENGEL
ELIZABETH SUTHERLIN
LAURA TYLER STRAWN
SHEILA UPP-BERGMAN
VINCENT VALENTINO
MARGARET VAUGHN
ROBIN VONHAUSEN
ALEX WALTERS
ALEX WATSON
PHILLIP WEBSTER
KATIE WENDEL
THE WESTLUND FAMILY FUND
ALISON AND JOSH WOOD
DANIEL ZEBELEAN
MARK ZIMMERSCHIED
LISA NICEWANER
HEATHER NIX
SARAH NOAKES
KELSEY OKEEFE
KRYSTEN OLSON
SAMANTHA PADILLA
RICH PARK
BECCA PARKINSON
APRIL PARKS
CAROL PAYNE
ALLISON PECK
CADY PEMBROKE
KARLA PENECHAR
CINDY PERCIVAL
KIM PHAN
MEGAN RODENBERG
KATIE POHLMAN
ELLEN PORTER
REGAN POWERS
SHAUN POWERS
MATTHEW RAHLSTON
ERIC RAVEN
LUKE REICHLE
RICHARD REILLY
ASHLEY REYNOLDS
EDEE RIGGIN
TRESSA ROECKER
MEGAN RODENBERG
CORBIN ROOKARD
JUDI ROSS
ALLISON ROSS
FIONA RUTGERS
MICHAEL SALZMAN
PAMELA SAMULCEK
LYDIA SAUNDERS
TOM SCHILLER
ABBEY SHAULL
SHELIA SHOCKEY
JAY & JENNE SIMMONS
DEBORAH SIMMONS
JUHA SILFVERBERG
DEBRA SIPES
TINA SPANOS
JESSICA STARK
CATHY STOETZER
ERIN SUNSONG
MERCEDES TERRELL-MAZAON
EMILY THORN
ANN TILLERY
TIMOTHY TOLAND
URSULA TIZON
ASHLEY TREAT
GREG TRENT
AMY TROESTER
CLAUDIA TRUE
ALBERT TUCKER
LAURA AND JEFF TYLER
MAITE VILLER
JENNIFER WACHS
DEBORAH WALD
MATTHEW WALTER
DESIREE WARREN
IN MEMORY OF MARLYS WATERS
DONALD & FRAN WATTERSON
ANGELA WEBSTER
JUDY WEDDLE
JULIE WEEKS
KYLE WEGENER
JAMES WEST
MEGAN WHEELER
BRIAN WILLIAMS
KAREN WILLIAMS
SARA WILLIMON
CHUCK WILSON
KAREN WINTERGALEN
BARBARA WOOD
ZACH WOLLERT
VERNON WRANOSKY
WINIFRED WRIGHT
AMANDA WRIGHT
VALENTINE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
VINCENT VALENTINO