The November 15th Opening of the Cascio Clay Center is the result of the work of loyal KIFA volunteers, paid staff, local contractors, and other wonderful people in the community. This project began in the summer of 2022 and dozens of people contributed.

Recently, the Bay Times published a much-appreciated article about the Clay Center Opening presenting life details of Carole Cascio and her generous bequests to four community projects, including KIFA. The article acknowledged some of the KIFA people who made the Clay Center possible. Here is a more complete account of those who over three years made a dream come true. Every gift of volunteer time or a monetary donation added up to bring a new pottery center to our Kent Island community.

Thank you so much to Mary Ann Buckley, Lee Butera, Chris Neiman of River Arts in Chestertown, Darlene Conley, Melissa Craig, Maria Dawes (formerly Sage), Susan Eleazer, Richard Frith, Linda Gillis, George Hall, Linda Jakubowski, Melissa Kay-Steves, Laura Keene, Melissa Mackey, Mary-Lynne Neil, Becky Placek, Sally Prascus, Joel Purcell, Lorraine Sincavage, Judy Specht, Patricia Spinella, Vicki Spinelli, Keith Summers, Bob Tessier, Margaret Tessier, Georgette Toews, Judy Tucker, Carole Tulip, Kristen Tull, United Way of Queen Anne’s County, Dan Wheatley, Maureen Wheatley, Stephanie Zeiler, Trudy and Larry Zeiler, Randy Zolofcener, and last but not least – James Batterden, known as Dr. Clay.