The free pottery event in partnership with Nashville Psych will benefit The Goldfinch Foundation and encourage creativity, connection and community healing.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, Ceramic Souls will host a Community Open Studio on Saturday, May 16 from noon – 4 p.m. in partnership with Nashville Psych and benefiting The Goldfinch Foundation. The free event invites the Nashville community to explore pottery through wheel throwing and hand building while supporting conversations around mental wellness, creativity and connection. Donations will be accepted during the event to benefit The Goldfinch Foundation.
Held inside Ceramic Souls’ East Nashville studio at Highland Yards, the open-format afternoon is designed to create an approachable, welcoming environment for attendees of all experience levels. Guests are encouraged to try the pottery wheel, build something by hand and disconnect from daily distractions for a few hours with guidance from Ceramic Souls members and staff throughout the event.
“Creativity is not a luxury. It’s a crucial component of health,” said Julia Ducayet, founder and owner of Ceramic Souls. “At Ceramic Souls, we believe art is the fifth pillar of health alongside movement, nutrition, sleep and mental wellness. Clay gives people a chance to slow down, reconnect with themselves and experience the kind of presence and community that so many people are craving right now. Mental Health Awareness Month felt like the perfect opportunity to open our doors and create space for that experience.”
The event partnership includes Nashville Psych, a Nashville-based private psychology practice founded by Dr. Daniel Goldstein and Amy Goldstein that offers therapy, counseling, psychological evaluations, and mental health services for children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families throughout Middle Tennessee. Throughout Mental Health Awareness Month, Ceramic Souls will also continue sharing mental health resources, conversations and educational content across its social platforms to encourage greater dialogue around creativity and emotional well-being.
Donations collected during the event will benefit The Goldfinch Foundation, a nonprofit founded in memory of Owen Willers, an 18-year-old artist, athlete, leader and beloved son who struggled with mental illness. Following Owen’s passing in 2024, the foundation was inspired by the appearance of a bright yellow goldfinch, which became a symbol of joy, resilience and connection. Today, The Goldfinch Foundation works to champion mental wellness, strengthen community and encourage vulnerability, purpose, and human connection through advocacy and outreach efforts.
The Community Open Studio will take place at Ceramic Souls, located at 747 Douglas Ave., Suite 112 in East Nashville. Additional details can be found at ceramicsouls.com or on Instagram at @ceramic_souls.
Ceramic Souls is Nashville’s first 24/7-access, pottery-only studio, offering a welcoming space for potters of all experience levels and the city’s go-to ceramics supply shop, Wedged. Located inside the Highland Yards development, the studio provides recurring pottery classes, interactive workshops, and a tiered membership model that includes all-hours studio access, premium tools, and community fellowship. Founded by Julia Ducayet, Ceramic Souls aims to foster creativity and connection through clay, offering a space where beginners and experienced artists alike can thrive. For more information, visit ceramicsouls.com or follow @ceramic_souls on Instagram.
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