How to Choose the Perfect Pottery Studio for Your Clay Practice
New to pottery and looking to take a class? Have some prior pottery experience from your high school or college days and looking to get back into it? Looking for a pottery class for your child? Not sure where to start your search for a pottery school or what to look for? If there are multiple options to choose from in your area, this guide may be of use to you!
Considerations when Picking a Pottery Studio
Depending on where you live, as you embark on finding a pottery studio or school for you to create in, there are some key factors to consider in your search including program type, costs, location, accessibility, scheduling, and materials.
If you’re lucky enough to have several pottery studios to choose from, here are some questions to help you reflect on what you might want to find the best fit. Remember: everyone’s needs vary, so some questions may not apply to you, but having all the options outlined can be helpful.
These prompts can also guide you on what to ask when researching or visiting studios!
Program Type & Costs
What class formats are available (multi-week, drop-in, workshops, private)? Which suits you best?
What skill levels are offered (ex. beginner, intermediate, advanced)? Is there room to grow?
Does the studio cover wheel-throwing, hand-building, glazing, or other techniques? What appeals to you?
What are the class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios? What’s your preference?
Are costs within your budget? Are scholarships offered?
Are classes available for your age group?
Are accommodations for disabilities provided?
Does the studio offer membership perks, residencies, or rentals?
Location & Accessibility
Can you access the studio with your mode of transportation? (ex. bus, car, foot, bike. etc.)
If commuting by bike, is there a place for you to park your bike?
If you are commuting by car, is parking available and convenient? Is there a cost to park?
If applicable, does the studio meet your accessibility needs? (ex. ramp, wheelchair access, elevator, etc.)
Scheduling
Do the class / workshop times and the class durations (ex. 2-3hrs) fit your schedule?
Can you come by the studio to check on drying work? Or can you only access your pieces during class time?
Does the studio offer open studio time outside of classes? What are the open studio policies?
Can you take work home to finish or can you only work on projects at the studio?
What’s the studio’s policy around make-ups for missed classes?
Materials
Are tools included or is it BYO? (If you need to purchase your own, here’s a good place to start). Are there restrictions on what tools you can bring? Does the studio provide bats and bat pins or can you bring your own?
What kind of clay do you have access to? (ex. stoneware, earthenware, porcelain, mid-fire, high-fire, low-fire)
Does the studio provide communal clay or do you have to pay per bag or per pound? Is there a clay limit?
Do you have to recycle your own clay or does the studio do reclaim?
Can you bring in your own approved clay?
Can you bring clay home to work on projects?
What kinds of glazes are available in the studio? Do these glazes appeal to you?
Is glazing included in a class/workshop costs?
Can you bring in your own approved glazes?
If interested, are there opportunities for spray booth glazing or mixing glazes?
Additional considerations:
Can you use wax resist? (Click here to learn about using wax to make interesting surface decorations).
Do you have access to underglazes? Can you purchase your own approved underglazes? (Click here to learn about underglazes).
Can you use silkscreens and silkscreen medium on your work? (Click here to learn about silkscreening).
Can you do luster firings? (Click here to learn about luster).
What are the studio’s policies for firing and kiln access? Is firing included or does it come at a cost? Is there a limit to what you can fire in terms of size and/or amount?
Abbreviated graphic of questions to help you pick your next pottery studio!
Remember, these questions are designed to help you narrow your search, but given the competitiveness in accessing some pottery studios in some regions and/or the potential scarcity of accessing pottery studios in other regions, if getting into a class is your main goal, you may need to make some compromises!
