<div><strong>Studio Kusi is a small ceramic art studio in Mt. Pleasant, DC, with a big mission: to make pottery accessible to everyone and to support vital mutual aid efforts.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We offer pottery classes because we believe making things with our hands, and being in community, has the power to nourish and heal our bodies and spirits.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Through our Scholarship Fund, we offer pottery classes at reduced or no cost to neighbors in financial need — at a time when creating, connection, and community are SO important.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>"Esto ha sido la mejor medicina para este estrés que tengo." </strong>
</div>
<div><strong><em>"This has been the best medicine for my stress"</em></strong> (translation)
</div>
<div>- Community leader who took free classes at Studio Kusi
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Since opening our new space on March 27th, 2025 we have:</strong>
</div>
<div><strong>- Provided 244 discounted or free classes to folks with financial need </strong>(estimated value $9,454)
</div>
<div><strong>- We’ve donated ALL our profit ($19,030 as of Dec 1, 2025) </strong>to mutual aid initiatives and non-profits in the DMV and abroad
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>To continue offering scholarships in 2026, we need your help! </strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>With your help we can continue:</strong>
</div>
<div><strong>- offering half-scholarships to folks who make under 65k</strong>
</div>
<div><strong>- offering full scholarships for folks who cannot afford the cost</strong>
</div>
<div><strong>- while also raising money for mutual aid initiatives both locally in DC and in abroad. </strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Gifting half scholarships:
</div>
<div>- $20 covers one ceramic sign painting class
</div>
<div>- $37 covers one "Try-it" wheel class
</div>
<div>- $55 covers a two-day hand building class
</div>
<div>- $165 covers a 6-week hand building open studio
</div>
<div>- $275 covers an 8-week wheel throwing class
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>More information about Studio Kusi:
</div>
<div>Founder Ariana Paredes-Vincent began teaching pottery classes and selling her work in fall 2024 to fundraise for mutual aid efforts, and opened Studio Kusi’s current space on March 27th, 2025. In a short time, we’ve grown to 11 instructors, more than 40 volunteers, and pottery classes offered four days a week. Three of our instructors are bilingual and teach in Spanish, helping us serve an even wider community.
</div>

Grace Smith

Lindsay Hall

Kelsey Hartman

Sonya Jampel

Amorray Marcano

Anonymous

Autumn Anthony

Jennifer Tran

Eric Nawar

Noemie Sierra

Alison Wheeler

Martin D. Paredes

Art for Everybody: Studio Kusi's Scholarship Fund

Art for Everybody: Studio Kusi's Scholarship Fund

Still $19,531 to go. Help us build momentum.