What's the "Scuttlebutts" about Clayworks

See what I did there?

When Heidi, Haydon, and I moved to Hutchinson, we rented a modest home on 12th Avenue (west). It was a bit of a shock from a newer development in Southern California. As we were getting our bearings… we would notice this cool-looking building at the end of the street with a coffee shop – Scuttlebutts. I would keep saying “We need to stop and check that out”. But we didn’t.

First, a generous friend gave us a coffee maker that I would never have bought myself. Coffee at our place is off-the-chain, and affordable. It makes me feel less than smart to pay retail on the streets… unless I am meeting someone. Secondly, we kept missing the open hours.

One night, my text messages went off and it was Zack and Ashley from Ax it Up Hutch. They were inviting me to the Minority Business Meet and Greet, scheduled for the next night, at Clayworks – the home of Scuttlebutts. At first I was taken back a step… I’m not used to being included in events about inclusion, but then… I am not from Hutchinson either.

The event was amazing and I saw some of my favorite people there, but this is more about Clayworks than the event. While at the event, I met the people that run Clayworks. What a program?

They reach out to folks that may have a different perspective than others. I am not sure what term to use – challenged, special needs, awesome. But what they offer is a creative space to express one’s self and produce art… all types of art. I was told there is one here in Hutchinson and one in McPherson. There was not only a boomingly impressive art gallery in the rear of the building, but wonderful exhibits in the foyer are as well. Beyond the foyer is where the event was held, but also typically where the art is created.

But wait! There’s more. There is a coffee shop in the center of the building and to the rear of that is a student-style commercial kitchen?!? I became fascinated in the conversation about how the art is created, the people in the program gain validation, and the community benefits from the art and services rendered.

This was at the end of my street?!

Since the event, I have made it a point to bring new people to the coffee shop and give them a tour of the art, whenever possible. I am still a coffee snob with a killer coffee maker, but taking people to Scuttlebutts in Clayworks for the first time is always a treat.

Note – the art is for sale. When you make a purchase, you not only support the program, but you validate another human being in a way that may be hard to imagine. As a writer, I can tell you that when someone buys Action Leadership From the Edge – I still get giggly inside. If I had to put myself in a people group that may not get as much exposure as I enjoy… that validation-giggly feeling would be 10x’d.

Stop in, pick up something to remember it by and enjoy a cup of great coffee. By the way, the coffee cake is buttery and wonderful too.