Community Highlights: Meet Joshua Margolis of Out of Step Clay

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Margolis.

Hi Joshua, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a clay artist and educator who always dreamed of opening up my own teaching, retail, and gallery space. Upon moving to Denver I started looking for spaces that would be able to fit this vision, which let me to my current studio, Out of Step Clay at 7045 W. 38th ave, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting your own business is never smooth, but apart from the occasional freakout moment, it has been a successful launch so far. There are two main challenges to starting a business like this in a post-pandemic world. One is marketing and letting the community know we exist. And second is the challenges the delay in the supply chain has had on our opening. I am confident we will grow through word of mouth from our first round of students and visitors. The supply chain issue I am just trying to order materials and equipment as far out as I can to have things in stock.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Out of Step Clay is a working clay studio, that offers classes for kids and adults. We also have a great retail space where you can purchase handmade pottery and sculpture directly from me. Our gallery features a show called ‘Urban Barn Owls’, which tells the story of a family of barn owls that nested across the street from me at the beginning of the pandemic. I use photos, video, sculpture, and a written narrative to tell this story. I am also the creator of the children’s book series staring my clay creations, and Melvin the Robot. Visitors are welcome to stop by and see my book character’s in the clay flesh, as well as participate in the monsters and robots project, where they can draw me a robot or monster that I might choose to sculpt out of clay one day.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Even if you have the most unique idea in the world, consult others who are working in your intended area and get as much feedback and tips as possible. Also, having the ability to pivot, even if it is just a short-term solution, is crucial to finding success in their bizarre times.

Pricing:

• We offer 6-7 week-long adult hand-building and wheel classes that range in price from $295-$345
• Our kid classes are typically 8 – 10 weeks long and run around $280-360 per 8-10 week-long session.
• Camps! I have a few afternoon camps listed for summer. 2 weeks long, 12:30-3:30, M-F. There are two scheduled for June, and one in august.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.outofstepclay.com
• Instagram: @outofstepclay

Image Credits
Joshua Margolis