In 2018, Domingo (“Mingo”) Olavarria made a big decision to switch careers and pursue a recently found passion. “I love pottery and the effect it has on people,” says the owner of Mingo Pottery Studio. “We live in very digital and stressful times. My goal is to provide our community a place to disconnect, use your hands and explore the world of clay with no limits.”
A former chef, Olavarria was initially just looking to make some plates and bowls for his home. But what started as a personal hobby grew into a profound connection with clay and the people it touches.
As his love for pottery grew, he realized he wanted to do more with it. “I began to teach pottery, seeking a connection to our community, and ended up finding a family and lifestyle in pottery,” says Olavarria.
The spacious 6,000-square-foot studio became the perfect place to house a creative tribe together under one roof. “We created hangout spots with hammocks around the studio, a food kitchen for our events and monthly brunches, and white walls to limit the interruption of creativity, like a blank canvas,” he says.
To further emphasize the sense of community and set Mingo Pottery Studio apart from other creative studios, they implemented a “no walls” concept. “We believe that an open studio lends itself to constant social interaction, lots of collaborating and continuous learning through observation.”
Besides building a vibrant company culture, Olavarria also wants to ensure guests are tapping into their creative core by offering all the equipment necessary and access to learning tools. “We offer 24/7 studio access, supervised practice sessions and constant support for all our students,” he says. Plus, the studio is equipped with 25 professional pottery wheels, slab rollers, extruders, a variety of glazes, different clay types and all the tools needed for practicing pottery.
In addition to building a community within their walls, the group also lends its talents and resources to help out locals outside of the studio. “This year, we are venturing into the world of summer camp and will be working with [Genesis] Hopeful Haven foster home in a pottery program for their students.”
In just a few years, Mingo Olavarria has transformed his passion for pottery into a working studio and thriving community. His unwavering dedication has blossomed into a sanctuary for creativity, connection and personal growth.
