Upon entering the Clay Cafe in the Sully Place Shopping Center it is easy to be taken in by the relaxed, therapeutic atmosphere, and easy to be inspired by the art that decorates the walls and shelves.
CHILDREN, most of them between the ages of 7 and 14, are gathered around a smiling woman named Grace Wolf, clamoring for white T-shirts with which to make tie dye shirts.
Wolf is the owner of Clay Cafe, and these children are participating in her summer art camp for the entire week, where they have the opportunity to make everything from origami animals to pottery painting and glass fusion.
"I like working with the kids — everyone's happy," said Wolf, 42. "We offer them educational art techniques but in a fun setting, so they don't realize they're learning. We stick it in, sort of like vegetables under cheese, so they don't notice."
Clay Cafe has been around for five years, but it was originally owned by Helene Safford, who has another store in Falls Church. Wolf bought the store on May 1, but has been a customer there for almost three years.
"I've always wanted to buy an arts store. I've always been involved in art outreach," said Wolf, who has been on the Council for the Arts of Herndon for five years, and has been president of the Board of Directors for three. "I also do art on my own; I do origami."
On this particular day, the children attending summer camp, who are divided into two groups based on age, have begun their project of tie-dying their T-shirts. Although many of them are unsure on how to tie-dye, with the encouragement of Wolf and store manager Jared Thigpen, they create some stunning pieces while having fun.
"I LOVE doing all the art and painting," said Madison Kash, 10. "I like painting the little sculptures. I want to be a photographer that makes art out of different pictures, and I want to paint abstract cats."
The cost of the summer camp program is $250 for one week, and covers all 15 projects that the children will create during that time period, making three projects a day.
Clay Cafe is not restricted to children or summer camps, however. Wolf also sponsors a Ladies Night after hours, and will soon be working on a bridal shower in the store.
"Dads sometimes have more fun in here than their kids do!" said Thigpen, 22, who has been store manager since December. "They bring their kids in and end up painting something themselves."
To use the paint itself is $6, with the price of the ceramic pieces varying depending on their size. There are gators, cars, penguins and hippos, among other things, for $9.95. There is even a duck bank that one can paint for $13.95. Mugs, plates and bowls are also available, with their prices varying.
"It's fun, and it can be educational and therapeutic. It crosses cultures and time, and it's not expensive," said Wolf. "The parents tend to come back without their kids and have the most fun."
In the Party Room, where the 7-10 age group is gathered to tie-dye and make fans, the favorite project so far has been origami.
"I like making the little animals," said Hayley Caroline, 9. "I want to be a vet when I grow up."
One of the things Wolf encourages is that her business is a big part of the community. One of the events that she is planning in the near future is sure to bring many parents and children into Clay Cafe for the day.
"ON JULY 20TH, the day before the seventh book comes out, I am planning a Harry Pottery day," said Wolf. "I will be providing free refreshments, and if you come in costume, you get half off of what you create."
Harry Pottery day will feature different aspects of art that somehow correspond to the courses that Harry takes at his magical school. At the Potions table, for example, children will be able to create sand art.
"We'll have the Harry Potter movies playing and I am also going to provide some Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans," said Wolf, referring to the infamous jellybeans from the Potter series, which come in all sorts of flavors.
"This is a positive experience and it's gender neutral," said Wolf of Clay Cafe. "Sometimes parents come in here and have more fun than the kids do. This is art you can keep and is useful and will retain its beauty. It is a snapshot of your child at a moment in time."