Los Angeles is known for many things: sandy beaches, the entertainment industry, celebrities, and vibrant nightlife. But most importantly, LA is the country’s leading artistic center with over a hundred museums, more than 23,000 art jobs, and of course, people who live and breathe art.
Whether it be films, photography, painting, opera—you name it—you will find with just a slight turn of your head in the busy corners of Los Angeles.
And if you want to try your hand at a new hobby that both stimulates your creative juice and is therapeutic, why not get into pottery? It is not only enjoyable and relaxing, but it’s also entirely sustainable, and it’s become a popular pastime among many in recent months.
I mean, who would not want to have a quick escape from the Los Angeles traffic, right?
So if you are ready to make your first teapot and ceramics, here is a list of some of the best pottery classes you will find in Los Angeles.
Beginners On The Wheel Classes at The Pottery Studio
The Pottery Studio is a clay and supply shop that offers monthly classes and memberships. Their LA studio is in Cypress Park, providing students an open space with plenty of room to create.
Their monthly classes consist of beginner wheel throwing classes covering the basics—centering, opening, pulling walls, trimming, and preparing your piece for the bisque (first) firing.
The studio also offers clay and firing for pieces that were made during the classes. They are also open for practice hours (exclusively for students) from 10 am to 10 pm. Their classes are available for all ages, starting from kids at age 12 and up.
After a successful month-long session, The Pottery Studio offers class gift certificates to those who are interested in keeping a memento of their hard work.
If you are interested in signing up, you can look at their list of classes here.
Website: https://thepotterystudio.com/
Address: 2808 Elm Street, LA 90065
Email: clayandsupply@thepotterystudio.com
Beginner Wheel Throwing at Bitter Root Pottery
If you are looking for an intimate and fun pottery session, consider dropping by at Bitter Root Pottery. The studio offers classes for both beginners and intermediate-level students.
Their beginner classes include a step-by-step introduction to pottery, clay, tools, and post-production (bisque and glaze firing). On the other hand, their intermediate classes are more fast-paced, perfect for students who still need some guidance but mainly want to create something on their own.
At the end of each class, you will discuss your preferred glaze and leave your piece at the studio for the staff to do the firing process. Once complete, your masterpiece is ready for pickup.
The Bitter Root Pottery also holds summer sessions for kids to enjoy.
You can reserve a beginner class at the Bitter Root Pottery here.
Website: https://www.bitterrootpottery.com/
Address: 7451 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Contact: https://www.bitterrootpottery.com/contact
Ceramics Pottery Classes at Ball Clay Studio
Ball Clay Studio is a safe space for artists and newbies to make sculptures, hand-built pottery, or simply throw on the pottery wheel. The studio aims to foster self-discovery and harness each individual’s creativity within a fully-equipped learning environment.
The studio offers beginner and intermediate ceramics pottery classes. The beginner class spans over a 5-week period which will cover throwing functional ceramics, trimming, and glaze application.
On the other hand, the intermediate course focuses on refining your skills as they teach you more advanced techniques in making functional tableware on the potter’s wheel.
If you are interested in knowing more about their classes, you can visit their page here.
Website: http://ballclaystudio.com/
Address: 4851 York Blvd, Los Angeles Ca., 90042
Contact: 310-954-1454
Pottery and Hand Building Classes at Echo Art Studio
Echo Art Studio is a high fire ceramic and fine art studio that offers a wide range of classes from watercolor classes, painting, and drawing, to beginner and intermediate pottery classes. They have been making a name and teaching students in Los Angeles since 1999.
Once you have signed up, expect to make your very first pot on your first day immediately! Their beginner pottery classes span over four weeks, where students meet once a week and go through creating a vessel starting from a lump of clay.
They also offer hand-building classes, a four-week-long course that includes instruction, bisque firing, and unlimited practice time.
Echo Art Studio accepts a maximum of 6 people per class and welcomes adults starting 17 years old and up.
If you are interested in signing up, take a look at their list of Beginning Pottery Classes here.
Website: https://www.echoartstudio.com/
Address: 3375 Motor Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90034
Contact: 310-989-4295
Seasonal Workshops at Cobalt & Clay Ceramic Studio
Cobalt & Clay is a community ceramic studio that offers classes, memberships, workshops, and private parties to those interested in getting their hands dirty.
Their pottery classes consist of Beginning Wheel Throwing, a six-week course introducing the basics of throwing in a potter’s wheel; One Time Wheel Throwing; 4 Week Hand Building; and a private One-on-One Class.
Aside from their classes, they also introduce fun ceramic seasonal workshops where you will be crafting a theme per season—fall candle making, making a pumpkin display out of clay, and so much more!
If this sounds right up your alley, then take a look at their class offers here.
Website: http://www.cobaltandclay.com/
Address: 2017 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Contact: 323-522-6717
Conclusion
No one is born a pottery expert. Every new potter is encouraged to take at least one pottery class. Sure, you can research what you need to know online, but having an expert around to advise and assist you in properly positioning your hands just makes the learning curve easier and faster.
Aside from this, you will not have to go through the hassle of looking for high-quality potter’s wheel and clay since pottery studios are fully equipped with everything you need to create your first pot.
With all that said, we can’t wait for you to create your first masterpiece. Good luck!