Being a ceramist in today’s world, where social media seems to rule, can be quite a challenge. Selling my beautiful ceramic art in stores and galleries was a challenge because retailers often want a huge online following or a fancy portfolio, things I didn’t quite have. So, I came up with a cool solution: Curator Coffee. It’s not just a place to enjoy yummy local coffee, but also a spot where small-batch local ceramists like me, who aren’t social media stars, can shine.
I go on a treasure hunt every day to find hidden gems in the local pottery scene. These artists might not have fancy online profiles but they have tons of experience and talent. Our motto at Curator Coffee is all about “Coffee, People, Art, and Creativity.” These four values are like puzzle pieces that fit perfectly to create a strong community of coffee and art lovers.
There are a lot of artists in my family, so that creative spark comes naturally. My mother and sister both do pottery, and while it was also an art form I also enjoyed, I opted for a more practical route in college. I studied finance and worked a corporate job for about five years before deciding to start my coffee and ceramics business.
Right after I put my two weeks’ notice in at work, the pandemic hit. It was an uncertain time for everyone and made starting a business an even bigger challenge than I anticipated. At first, we had just a pushcart, and I would set up my ceramics stand next to it. In 2021, I opened my shop at 2923 Thousand Oaks Drive with the help of friends who supported my dream.
We pick out the freshest coffee beans from local roasters right here in San Antonio. We’re like coffee matchmakers, making sure each bean is perfect for your cup. For coffee beans, we work with Estate Coffee as our primary roaster for espresso and cold brew and curate different local roasters at different times of the year for pour-over coffee. This season, we’re featuring Quantum Coffee Roasters. We also work with local bakers Scratch Kitchen, Miss Chickpeas and Bread Tabachines, rotating their baked goods throughout the week.
As my journey of running Curator Coffee went on, I noticed lots of folks didn’t really know how pottery is made. That’s where I figured that I could step in. I host fun pottery events at our coffee shop to show people the magic behind the scenes.
Starting out in 2020 was a rollercoaster, especially with the whole COVID-19 situation. I started with a humble coffee cart before we got to our cozy shop. Sure, people usually think downtown is where all the action is, but we’re all about that neighborhood charm. It was tough in the beginning, but as our neighbors got to know us, our little coffee and art family grew big and strong. Every brushstroke of art and every cup of coffee we brew is filled with love for them.
