San Francisco, CA (Wednesday, May 1st) — This May, MaryMar Keenan, Owner & Designer of MMclay – a small dinnerware business that is in high demand among top-tier restaurants, both nationally and internationally – will roll out a Kickstarter campaign to help fund her new venture: a 1,500 square-foot studio in the heart of San Francisco.
“As someone who has been working hard at trying to make a living as an artist for over 20 years, I understand what a big difference a supporting community can make. I design & produce handmade tableware in my small Hayes Valley studio. My pottery is used throughout many popular restaurants, as well as private homes. I want to continue to grow as a female artist and entrepreneur, creating new opportunities and new concepts while offering inspiring experiences and making beautiful handmade pottery for appreciative hands.”
The new MMclay space, at the corner of Gough & Market streets in downtown San Francisco, is built to have a showroom in the front, as well as a production studio and office in the back. Additionally, there will be a kitchenette and space to host workshops and community events.
Keenan is using the famous crowdfunding platform to reach out to the local artist community and advocates of woman-owned small businesses. She also plans to seek support from chefs, restaurant owners and lovers of all things handmade, to get the additional funds ($30,000 minimum) that she needs for equipment, appliances, furnishings and more.
“I want to remain in the heart of the city and help the arts scene thrive. I have a crew of talented assistants – all young makers who, just like me, want to follow their passion and develop their skills. More square feet & better equipment will allow me to hire more artists, bring new lines to the table and continue to give back to the community.”
Details of the Kickstarter campaign are as follows:
Launch Date: May 1, 2019
Run Dates: May 1 – May 30, 2019
Link to the campaign page: www.kickstarter.com
Funding goal: $30,000
For more information, please refer to the MMclay website.
About MMclay
MMclay is a handmade tableware business run by local ceramic artist and designer, MaryMar Keenan, in her Hayes Valley studio in San Francisco.
In 2014, she designed and produced a collection of work for Stuart Brioza’s (James Beard Award Winner Best Chef: West) venture, The Progress. From this collaboration, The Progress Collection was developed, and has been featured in Food and Wine Magazine, Remodelista, Saveur, San Francisco Magazine, DuJour and several others publications.
MaryMar has also produced tableware for an array of other top-tier and Michelin-star-rated restaurants in the Bay Area and other cities in the U.S. and abroad.
More info:
MaryMar Keenan – Owner/Designer/Maker
marymar@mmclay.com
(415) 601-9152
As a ceramic artist, MaryMar Keenan is interested in the quiet conversation between maker, object and user. She finds her inspiration in daily ritual, the culinary experience, and the subtle effects of the presentation of food and drink.
Keenan’s utilitarian tableware is primarily slab, wheel thrown and hand glazed. Her artisan approach honors the tradition and importance of the vessel, utilizing simple designs and inviting forms. Her passion for ceramics is driven by its usability and grounded by her organic esthetic. Keenan’s work reinforces the natural beauty of the food and the hands that use them. She builds upon the maker, chef, server and customer relationship.
With a career spanning two decades, she has evolved from student, teacher, gallery owner and e-commerce entrepreneur, into an established maker and owner of MMclay ceramics studio in San Francisco, CA. “Plating food can be an art form,” says Keenan, “and my work is meant to be the canvas.” Her collaborations with chefs and private clients has led to her work being showcased in several restaurants, curated stores and private homes internationally.
Business Name: MMclay LLC
Website: www.mmclay.com
Business Type: Retail / Homewares / Handmade Ceramic Tableware
Social Pages
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/
Retail/ Airstream Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/
Twitter: twitter.com/mmclay_
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/
Google Business – Airstream: business.google.com (handmade@mmclay.com is a contributor)
Google Business – MMclay Production Studio: business.google.com
Business Address: MMclay – 315 Linden Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Video Assets:
This.Is.A.Cup.
Introduction To MMclay & The Progress Restaurant Connection
My Passion is Clay – MaryMar Keenan & MMclay
Press: www.mmclay.com
Kristof Puncher
650-451-2225
kristof@mmclay.com
