Pottery is a beautiful craft, but it can be difficult to get the hang of all by yourself, which is why we recommend taking some pottery classes.
However, looking for local classes can be tiring, especially when you have to wade through piles of reviews.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 6 pottery classes in Austin, Texas for 2021.
Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate who wants to get into more advanced techniques, you’re sure to find a class that’s right for you on our list!
Cafe Monet
Cafe Monet has a variety of group wheel-throwing classes for both adults and children which are inclusive of all supplies and equipment usage.
For children aged 8-12, Cafe Monet offers the 4-week Kids Mud Club Camp. This camp is inclusive of all supplies and teaches children the fundamentals of pottery, including wedging and wheel-throwing.
For adults, Cafe Monet offers three different courses: Try It Wheel Classes, 5 Week Beginner, and 5 Week Intermediate.
- Try It Wheel Classes are perfect for people who want to give pottery a quick try. With a 90-minute lesson, you’ll be taken through the fundamentals of pottery!
- The 5 Week Beginner Course is ideal for newbies who want to learn the details of wheel-throwing in an intimate group.
- The 5 Week Intermediate Course is great for more experienced potters who want to take on more challenging projects, including bigger pieces and pottery with handles.
Address: 4477 South Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX
Contact Details: info@cafemonet.org or cafemonet.org/contact
Feats of Clay
Feats of Clay offers private lessons as well as intimate group classes for 6-8 people, inclusive of supplies and equipment usage.
Group classes run for either 6 or 8 weeks, with 2.5 hours each class for an intimate experience where you can concentrate on learning as much as you can.
To request more information, as well as register for a class, you may call them directly.
Office Hours are from 12 PM to 5 PM (Wednesdays to Sundays).
Address: 4630 Burnet Rd. Austin, TX
Contact Details: 512.453.2111 or featsofclayatx@gmail.com
Website: featsofclaypottery.com/
Austin Pottery Studio and Gallery
Austin Pottery Studio and Gallery offers a wide range of public classes for adults, inclusive of all supplies and equipment usage.
Their One-Time Classes are perfect for those who want to see what pottery is like. They offer two kinds: Wheel Throwing and Hand-Building.
- The Wheel Throwing One-Time Class will teach you the basics of wheel throwing in just a few hours.
- The Hand-Building One-Time Class will teach you how to use coils, slabs, and pinching to create hand-built projects in one night.
They also offer four types of 8-Week Classes: Wheel, Hand-Building, Combination, and Weekend Classes. These classes allow students to work at their own pace and include access to open studio hours.
- Wheel Classes will teach you the basics of wheel-throwing and glazing if you’re a beginner, or teach you more advanced techniques if you have previous experience.
- Hand-Building Classes will go in-depth about how to use slabs, coils, pinching, and glazing to create beautiful pieces.
- Combination Classes will teach intermediate students how to integrate both wheel-throwing and hand-building into their projects.
- Weekend Classes are perfect for those who can’t attend the regular weekday classes.
Finally, Austin Pottery Studio and Gallery offers workshops throughout the year, which are listed on their website as they become available.
Their classes tend to sell out fast, so be sure to follow their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay updated!
Office Hours are 12 PM to 5 PM (Wednesdays to Sundays).
Address: 5442 BURNET RD, Austin, TX 78756
Contact Details: (512) 436-8971 or atxpottery.com/contact
Ceramic Lodge
Ceramic Lodge holds monthly hand-building classes for both adults and children.
In their Clay Classes, you will learn how to work with clay to make your chosen piece of pottery. After they dry and fire your project, you will be able to paint it and have it glazed and fired to create your finished pottery!
To join one of the Clay Classes, you must contact Ceramic Lodge to pre-register and pay ahead of time.
Although Ceramic Lodge is not in Austin, it’s only a short thirty-minute drive away!
Office Hours are from 11 AM to 7 PM (Mondays and Wednesdays), 11 AM to 9 PM (Thursdays and Fridays), 10 AM to 7 PM (Saturdays), and 12 PM to 6 PM (Sundays).
Address: 18 Chisholm Trail, Round Rock, TX, 78681
Contact Details: 512.248.2100 or ceramiclodge.com/contact
Art Off Center
Art Off Center offers public pottery classes for both adults and children, inclusive of supplies and equipment usage. To register, you may go to artoffcenter.com/class-registration and pick out a schedule that works for you.
For children aged 5-11, they offer the Clay Bootcamp for Kids. In 4 weeks, children will learn coil building, slab building, pot pinching, and glazing, producing a total of 4 projects!
For those aged 14 and above, they offer Pottery Wheel Basics. In 6 weeks, you will create 3 projects and learn how to wheel-throw, hand-build, and glaze.
For adults, they offer the Hand Building – Outfit the Kitchen Class. In 5 weeks, you will learn how to hand-build and glaze, and create functional items for your kitchen!
Art Off Center also offers private lessons where you will learn how to hand-build or wheel throw one project, exclusive of clay and firing fees. To arrange a private lesson at a time that works for you, you may contact them directly.
And if you or your friends already know how to make pottery but don’t have your own kiln, Art Off Center provides firing services for a fee.
Art Off Center is not located in Austin, but it’s only a forty-minute drive away!
Office Hours are 12 PM to 8:30 PM (Tuesdays and Thursdays), 12 PM to 8 PM (Wednesdays), and 12 PM to 6 PM (Fridays and Saturdays).
Address: 116 W 2nd St, Ste 108, Potters Alley Taylor, TX 76574
Contact Details: 512-666-9003 or artoffcenter.com/contact-us/
Hill Country Pottery
Hill Country Pottery offers both public and private classes for all ages and experience levels, inclusive of supplies and equipment usage.
In their Pottery Classes, you will learn how to wheel-throw and hand-build by making a simple project. After your piece has dried, they will fire and glaze it for you, then you can pick up your finished pottery!
Classes are only available by appointment. You may view their available public classes on the Hill Country Pottery Eventbrite page.
Unfortunately, Hill Country Pottery is more than an hour away from Austin. If transportation time is important to you, we recommend the classes listed above, which are in or near Austin.
Office Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM (Thursdays to Saturdays), and 11 AM to 4 PM (Sundays).
Address: 738 FM 473, Comfort, TX 78013
Contact Details: 830.446.2957 or hillcountrypottery.com/contact
What can I expect from pottery classes?
Although the covered topics will vary from class to class, one thing you should expect is the mess!
Pottery is a beautiful art, but we are dealing with clay here. No matter what type of pottery you do, you’re bound to get some on your clothes, so be sure to wear something comfortable and easy to clean.
Another thing you should expect is imperfection. Pottery will be as relaxing as you make it – so don’t stress over an uneven pot or a wonky plate. With more experience comes better pottery, and that’s exactly why you’re taking classes!
Conclusion
While it is definitely possible for you to learn how to make pottery at home, taking classes at a studio can be a great way to start!
By learning under the guidance of an expert, you’ll be able to try out more advanced techniques you may be hesitant to try out at home. And by attending classes at a studio, you get to develop your pottery skills without having to invest in all of the supplies and equipment – which can be a great relief to your wallet.
We hope that you found a class that is right for you on our list. Stay passionate, and travel far in your pottery journey!