In the summer of 2021, the Wyoming Community Foundation supported the installation of a clay pugmill at Siren Studios as a means to support the environmental impact and sustainability of the Laramie Plains Civic Center’s community ceramic space.
In the wake of supply chain delays and the economic health of 2020 until today, this equipment addition was finally installed and put into use in mid-June of 2023.
Despite the lengthy wait, this installation has already begun to make an impact, thanks to these generous grant dollars.
What is a pugmill?
A pugmill is a machine that reconstitutes old clay. Perhaps you’ve noticed the large tubs of clay and water in the corner of Siren Studios. These are step one of the recycling process. After removing excess water, the clay is placed in the pugmill–a large piece of equipment used to homogenize the clay bodies and remove air. New, usuable clay is extruded from the machine, bagged, and saved for use by artists of the studio!
Studio teachers and volunteers rallied around the new clay recycling equipment in the late Spring of 2023. After nearly two years of supply chain delays, this heavy lift was long overdue.
How will it make an impact?
Since installation, the studio's recycling process has allowed all classes and workshops to use recycled clay. This means the materials in Siren Studios leave a gentler footprint by eliminating the costs and impact of packaging, shipping, and receiving.
Additionally, recycled clay creates a more financially feasible way for Siren Studios to offer accessible learning and create opportunities for the community. The dollars spent on clay go further, allowing funds within the Civic Center’s arts programming to pay teachers, support facility improvements, and support a future for the nonprofit as a whole.
Pieces from July 2023’s Kids Camp sit to dry in the ceramic studio. Since the pugmill installation all classes and workshops have benefited from using 100% recycled clay.
Less Waste = More for Siren Studios!
Beyond the financial implications, Laramie artists have enjoyed learning and working with the pugmill, knowing that the clay wastes are being recirculated back into the studio instead of being unnecessarily tossed away. While some instructors managed reprocessing by hand in years past, the staff time and physical labor required to do so was not a physically sustainable practice to achieve the notable results of this equipment installation. We’re eager to see how this addition continues to support the community resources made available through Siren Studios to Albany County.
Learn more about Siren Studios, upcoming classes, workshops, and more at sirenstudios.art.
