Funding the "International ceramics center Atelje Janja Gora" project

Due to the increase in the demand and scope of our activities, we have decided to 'spin' a new investment cycle and fully implement our long-standing vision of a self-sustaining international center, built for the purpose of exchanging knowledge, art, culture while being dedicated to local development.
 

We are completing the work-spaces and social spaces of our studio, arranging and building visitor infrastructure (exhibition gallery, guest lounge, work area, restrooms, blacksmith-carpenter workshop, etc.). The project/campaign is divided into smaller units that will be built gradually as funds arrive, and the completed dedicated spaces will be put into operation immediately, thus helping to raise funds for the next step. ​

Important:
In order to achieve as much as possible with as little investment as possible, we are doing all the construction and planning ourselves and with the help of volunteers and friends of the studio. The project is open to the public and, wherever possible and necessary, includes our local community. Everything will be done in a sustainable way with locally available natural materials (stone, wood, straw and of course lots of clay).
Where absolutely necessary, we will call in relevant experts to help. In this way, we want to share our experience and knowledge and encourage others to do the same. The entire process will be recorded and documented and as such will be available to donors, providing additional learning materials for future builders. You can see how the process of our build and work has been going so far in the pictures on our Facebook page. ​

 

Here is the plan:

 

1. Gallery - exhibition and sales space - €700.00

The gallery's renovation already began in 2024 due to the previous gallery space becoming too small. The side facing the road has been closed, the walls, ceilings and floors have been renovated, and electricity has been installed. We still need to revamp the access-way and the surrounding environment, and equip the space with an air conditioner for occasional heating and cooling.

 

​ 2. Roof extension behind the workshop - restroom, storage room, small wood-fired kiln for ceramics - €8,300.00

Due to the expansion of the workspace, it is necessary to move the storage room to the area behind the workshop. Also, due to the increase in the number of visitors and participants of our programs, it is necessary to arrange a visitor-suited restroom (WC), so that they do not have to use the private bathroom in the living space, as has been the case until now.

Water supply has already been installed for this purpose, and now a separate (ecological) septic tank needs to be built.

By extending the roof by 3 meters in length along the entire building (17 meters), we will secure the space needed to convert the existing shed into a storage room, add the restroom area, as well as a dedicated covered area for the construction of a small wood-fired kiln for the production of ceramics, similar to our wonderful Janjagama kiln.

Like all of the spaces in our studio, the restroom will also be artistically decorated, from the walls to the ceramics which will be produced in the studio (tiles, sink).

 

3. Lounge, social space - €6,000.00

This 65 m2 space is also nearing the end of optimization and being brought to full function.
The issue at hand is very bad thermal insulation due to the old and non-efficient windows and doors.

Also, due to the size of the space (65 m2, average height 3m), it is difficult to heat - so it is necessary to install an adequate heating system. Considering the fact that we are in a creative space dedicated to ceramics and clay, we decided to build a rocket stove mass heater.
This stove has extremely efficient wood combustion (over 80% efficiency) that transfers heat to a thermal mass (clay bench) that then absorbs heat and slowly releases it into the space. The stove is also an art installation, a bench for sitting and a heating element, so it naturally combines everything this space needs. It will be built by hand by our own crew with predominantly recycled materials.

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4. Workshop - new workspace measuring 45 m2 - €3,000.00

In order to organize workshops for larger groups (up to 20 people) of visitors more comfortably, it is necessary to adapt and rearrange the current multi-purpose space. This includes arranging the floor, replacing the dilapidated joinery, building a rocket stove for heating the space and hot water for the toilet as well as for faster drying of works, and equipping it with work tables and shelves for storing works. Installing additional lighting and electrical connections. The same space will also be used to increase the production of ceramics and smaller series using the casting technique.

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5. Terrace - €1,500.00

The terrace effectively connects the salon area and the workshop area, so it creates a pleasant connection between work and rest. The path to Janjagama also leads through it. It is necessary to repair the damaged concrete and adequately pave the terrace (wood or ceramic) and equip it with furniture. The plan is also to build an open fireplace to increase the atmosphere and experience of staying in the studio.

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6. Janjagama - expansion €4,500.00

Extension of the canopy in front of the wood kiln (Janjagama) for the purposes of maintaining workshops and firiing the kiln (keeping dry wood, space for students to work, etc.). This space will be used for workshops and events that are organized outside. In addition to better storage of firewood, which must be dry, everything else necessary for the maintenance and operation of the kiln will be kept there.
The roof of this building will serve to provide a more comfortable stay for the participants in the firing, especially when the weather conditions are bad. The firings of the kilns are usually attended by 10-20 participants.

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7. Blacksmith - carpentry workshop/tool shop €16,000.00

Many projects and works carried out in the studio require carpentry and blacksmithing. Now this is done in various places, mostly outside, but during rain and bad weather we are limited to the small existing blacksmith space of only 6 m2. Therefore, it is planned to upgrade the existing workshop and expand it to about 50 m2. The same space will also be used as a tool room for storing tools and (surplus) equipment, dry materials and other things. It will be equipped with a blacksmith's fire (we have a blacksmith in the studio) and in the future it will also be used as a space for teaching and sharing knowledge.

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8. Accommodation - €20,000.00

We want to build several small organic buildings, so that we can also offer accommodation to our guests. The buildings will actually be part of our sculpture park, all built entirely from natural materials (wood, clay, stone, hay, sand). Each house will be an example of a different natural construction technique, set up as a workshop, offering from the very beginning the opportunity to learn how to build from sustainable materials. The buildings will radiate the traditional knowledge of ancient people, and all together will form a kind of artistic village. Thus, the houses, located between the trees, on the edge of the meadow, become part of nature itself, offering their residents a direct connection with it, together with their unique, unusual shapes and sizes they evoke the magic that we so often forget exists. All houses will have a small solar unit to power phones, cameras, laptops and use other small devices. For sanitary purposes, we plan to build a camping bathroom with toilet and showers as mentioned above. Hot water will be provided by a rocket stove and solar panels. The initial plan is to build 2 buildings to accommodate 4 people each.

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Total € 60,000. So let's go!!!

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Goal

Our goal with this project is to establish a cultural and artistic center for learning and knowledge exchange, but also as a model of sustainable tourism, where visitors come and enjoy their stay, the environment and the community itself, enriching their experience through knowledge exchange and mutual respect. We know that today people travel precisely to enrich their lives and get to know the places they visit more deeply, and that is what we want to offer and promote. In recent years, we have often been pioneers in many things in our area - the first art center in a wide area, the first anagama (wood-fired kiln for ceramics) in an even wider area, the first organized international workshops and participation in international exhibitions. The first organized continuous free creative workshops for children and youth, which we are extremely proud of. In short, we have become and will remain a generator of positive and creative ideas.

 

To make all this happen, before we grow old collecting and putting together small pieces, we decided to launch this crowdfunding campaign and invite our friends around the world to support us in achieving this goal. As with every crowdfunding campaign, we want to offer prizes to everyone who participates in this project as a thanks for their understanding and support. Read about the prizes in the table below.

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How to get involved?

Use the form at the top of the page or click on the link next to your choice in the table below. You can make your donation via the PayPal link or to our center's bank account listed at the top of the page. Don't forget to emphasize that it is a donation so that PayPal does not take its commission.

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Important notice:

All of the building and planning will be done by our own hands and the hands of volunteers and friends of our atelier, open for the wide public including our local community. Everything will be done in the manner of sustainable building with locally available natural materials (stone, wood, straw and of course lots and lots of clay).

That way, we want to share our experience and knowledge and want to encourage other people to do the same, helping to preserve and nourish our environment and by doing so, our lives. The whole process will be filmed and documented and will, as such, provide the learning materials for future builders. How we built until now can be seen on the pictures on our Facebook page.

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