Vienna Business: Kiln and Co. Opens Doors

Sarah Selvaraj married and moved to the U.S. a few years ago after living abroad in places such as India, Singapore and Britain all of her life.

After she had a child, though, Selvaraj — who studied business and engineering and has an MBA from the University of West England, Bristol, UK — wanted to put her business skills back to work while still being able to care for her daughter.
After encouragement from a friend who owns a similar studio in Maryland and three years of "putting my abilities to multi task and network to the ultimate test," Selvaraj opened a new pottery and painting studio, Kiln and Co., last Tuesday on Church Street in Vienna, next to Great Harvest Bread Company.

While Selvaraj has focused mostly on business and the sciences, she does have artistry in her blood.  Her grandfather was an art director and her mother was an art designer.  She has done sculpture as a hobby and wants to share her "love for the arts with young and the young at heart," Selvaraj said.

She developed her own concept for the store and found a 3600 square foot space in Vienna which is "beautiful and bright," Selvaraj said. 

"There is a beautiful mural that the previous store owners, Black Eyed Susan, had painted on the wall by a Vienna artist that works perfectly with the space," Selvaraj said.  "That area is now converted to the birthday party backdrop, which is "great for photos."

Many locals have been into the store and asked about the mural, she said. She's reassured them the community landmark is still there.

Selvaraj said Kiln and Co. has received a lot of foot traffic from Great Harvest Bread Company and "Vienna has been so welcoming."

The shop offers classes, summer camps, birthday parties and plenty of special events, including a Daddy-Daughter Date Night from 5 - 7 p.m Thursday which will benefit the Vienna Jammers.   

Other events that Selvaraj has planned include "Cork and Clay", which is a Ladies Night Out on Wednesdays, pairing pottery, wine and chocolate.  There are also "Cupcake Sundays" featuring cupcakes by Sweet City Desserts and "Come Play Footies" Fridays at 4 p.m. with free pizza. 

Customers are welcome to come in and paint a piece of pottery, with pieces for sale between $5 and $50.  They are then left to be fired, or people can use acrylic paints and take the pieces home the same day. 

For more information, call 703-674-7607, visit kilnandco.com or stop by the studio at 132 Church Street, NW, Vienna.