98th Street Potters, a COVID Casualty, Has New Life

Don’t call it a comeback—98th Street Potters has been part of the Upper West Side since 2014, when five mutual friends began throwing pots on the lower level of 200 West 98th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. The team not only supported one another but also connected with the community by hosting open houses. Now, thanks to another local ceramic artist, Jill Cofskey, the space is set to reopen with a special open house event, marking the next chapter in its legacy as a creative hub.

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Cofskey was first introduced to pottery as a toddler in New Zealand by potter Anne Marie Scheurich, who has since passed away. After moving back to the U.S. at the age of five, she continued exploring ceramics throughout middle school and later minored in ceramics at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, studying under Dennis Tobin. “I love how hands-on and meditative it is, and also the technical, chemistry-heavy aspects—formulating glazes, understanding firing processes, etc.,” she said.

Now 26 and a resident of the Upper West Side for just over a year, Cofskey had long dreamed of running her own studio but never expected it to become a reality. The opportunity arose when she inquired with local artist Sarah Koster about the ownership of the former 98th Street Potters space. That conversation eventually led her to Jedd Bellman, the son of Barbara Beck, one of the original five members of the studio.

“I’ve been doing some cleaning and repairs to prepare for the reopening,” said Cofskey. “I’ve formed my own LLC using the original name of the studio to honor the legacy of the artists who have worked here.” Cofskey added that having a studio has always been a dream, but she wasn’t sure it would happen. “This has truly been a case of being in the right place at the right time, and I couldn’t be doing this without Jedd and Sarah, and without the support of my partner, Omer Hit.” Cofskey, who loves both pottery and the Upper West Side, can’t wait to open with another open house at the original location, with the same name.

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Street Potters will operate as a semi-private studio, offering six to seven artists the chance to create in a shared, well-equipped space. “We have wheels, a kiln, work tables, shelving, and all the tools you can think of,” said Cofskey. “I’ll be stocking the studio with high-quality clay and glazes to help bring each artist’s vision to life.” This setup mirrors the original iteration of the studio, which has long been a creative sanctuary for both hobbyists and professional artists seeking a dedicated space for their craft. Artists interested in joining the studio can apply for one of the limited spots here.

An open house is planned for Friday, March 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., giving the community a chance to visit the space and learn more. The studio is expected to officially begin operations in April. Updates can be found on Instagram at @98streetpotters.

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