Great things are happening at Ceramics Made By Rosie, winner of the 2023 Isringhausen DRIVE Grant. Owner Rosie Gale is using a portion of the $20,000 grant money to add retail space to her existing studio on East Monroe Street in downtown Springfield.

Ceramics Made By Rosie specializes in hand-thrown mugs, bowls, planters, and other ceramics designed and made by Rosie herself. Ms. Gale, a full-time potter originally from the U.K., currently sells her pieces online, in local stores, and at outdoor markets throughout the area. Once the retail space opens, she’ll have a more permanent venue to show off her wares.

“Adding a beautiful retail space for people to shop handmade pieces, special gift items, and pottery supplies, with additional custom ordering services and workshop opportunities, is my dream come true,” Rosie said.

Updating and modernizing the building is no small undertaking. An architect and contractors are being brought in to reconfigure the space and make it fully ADA-compliant. An area for group ceramics workshops is also in the works.

“Architectural and design stages are in full swing, and the months ahead will see our space transformed," Rosie elaborated.

About the Isringhausen DRIVE Grant

The Isringhausen DRIVE Grant is a small-business grant awarded to new or soon-to-open businesses in downtown Springfield. It’s intended to help cover the cost of remodeling, inventory, equipment, advertising, and/or other start-up-related costs during a business's critical first year. Since its inception, the DRIVE Grant has been awarded to two start-ups: The Wakery, a late-night non-alcoholic bar and coffee shop, and Ceramics Made By Rosie, a maker of hand-thrown ceramics.

For information on how to apply for a future Isringhasen DRIVE Grant, click here.