Nobody is born a master potter, although there may be some people who pick up the skill more quickly than others. Pottery is an art that needs constant practice and dedication to nurture and develop.
If you’re looking for the perfect pottery class to get you started, but aren’t sure where to begin your search, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are our top 6 picks of pottery classes in Denver, Colorado for 2021!
Ceramics in the City
Ceramics in the City offers a wide variety of pottery classes in Denver for both children and adults. You can sign up for solo sessions if you prefer learning one-on-one. You may also sign for couples and group sessions if you prefer learning with others.
They offer Pottery Wheel and Hand-Building classes in Ceramics in the City. But besides pottery classes, Ceramics in the City also offers pottery painting activities for children, as well as glass fusing for individuals who prefer working with glass.
Office Hours are from 11 AM to 7 PM (Mondays to Fridays), 10 AM to 7 PM (Saturdays), and 11 AM to 5 PM (Sundays).
Address: 5214 East Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220
Contact Details: 303-200-0461 or https://www.ceramicsinthecity.com/contact
Boulder Potters’ Guild
The Boulder Potters’ Guild was first established in 1969 as a non-profit cooperative studio, providing firing and studio facilities for members to come together to grow as artists. They offer classes for all levels of potters specializing in different types of pottery. They also hold workshops with nationally and internationally known potters.
Boulder classes are offered three times a year, with sessions beginning in January, June, and August. Each session is 8-weeks long, with rotating instructors to keep learning fresh for students, exposing them to a variety of skills and styles.
You can sign up for their newsletter to receive updates on new classes and offers.
Address: 3185 Sterling Cir, Boulder, Colorado 80301
Contact Details: classes@boulderpottersguild.org
Arvada Center Ceramics Studio
The AC Ceramics Studio has classes for children, parents, and older adults alike — so, whatever your student level is, you’re sure to find a class that suits you here. They offer day, evening, and weekend classes to accommodate varying student schedules. They also have a summer visiting artist program, featuring ceramics masters from across the nation.
If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate an anniversary or special occasion with your significant other, the AC Ceramics Studio also offers “Date Night Clay” classes. Visit their website to see when the next class session will be.
You can join the AC Ceramics Studio Facebook Group for updates on sales, classes, workshops, and other resources.
Address: Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, 6901 Wadsworth Blvd. Arvada, Colorado 80003-9985
Contact Details: 720-898-7200 or info@arvadacenter.org
Foothills Park & Recreation District
If you’re looking for accessible and cost-effective pottery classes, the Foothills Park & Recreation District is a great place to start your search. They offer a wide variety of multimedia arts and ceramics classes for students of all ages and expertise.
They have classes that cover hand-building and wheel throwing techniques, plus a fun and social environment that encourages learning.
If you’re someone who does pottery at home but doesn’t have a kiln to fire your pieces, Foothills Park also has retail and firing services to help you out. You can visit their website for more details about their firing services.
Foothills Park & Recreation District also holds pottery sales twice a year (during spring and the holiday season) featuring handmade art made by their staff and students of their pottery programs.
Address: 6612 S Ward St, Littleton, CO 80127
Contact Details: 303-409-2100 or info@fhprd.org
Glazed Ceramics Studio
Glazed Ceramics Studio is a small business that caters to the needs of beginner and expert potters looking for classes to guide them in cultivating their skills and talents in ceramics. Their classes are available in private and group packages — so depending on your preferences and needs, you can choose either.
One thing that we like about Glazed Ceramics Studio is that they give their students freedom and space to have fun with their pottery. They do this in the form of their Friday Night BYOB and Play with Clay events. (You bring your own drinks and they’ll supply all the clay you need.)
Their classes usually last around 6 weeks and they tend to sell out really fast, so make sure to follow their Facebook and Instagram for updates on new offers and classes.
Address: 12971 W 6th Pl, Golden, CO, 80401
Contact Details: 970-633-2952
Note: Their studio is not open for walk-in clients, so make sure to call and inform them ahead of your visit.
Northern Colorado Potters’ Guild & Studio
Although classes for Northern Colorado Potters’ Guild & Studio have momentarily been suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions, they’re still worth mentioning in this article because of their wide variety of ceramics classes for students of different ages and skill levels.
Established in 2005, the Potters’ Guild & Studio is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization founded by local potters to promote ceramic arts in the community.
You can follow their Facebook and Instagram for updates on their next classes and offers. Alternatively, you may contact them via their contact details below.
Address: 209 Christman Dr # 3, Fort Collins, CO 80524, United States
Contact Details: 970-416-5979 or classes@nocopottersguild.org
Pottery Class FAQs
How much do pottery classes typically cost?
The cost of pottery classes will vary depending on where you’re taking classes, how much clay products and supplies you use, and how long your sessions will last. If you’re taking classes from a recreation center, fees may cost around $100 for a 6- to 8-week session.
On the other hand, if you’re working with a private studio, fees may range between $250 to $300.
College-level learning may cost you around $1000, depending on the program you apply to.
What should you wear to your first pottery class?
If you’re going to practice pottery, it’s important for you to know that pottery is an incredibly messy art.
Demi Moore may have made pottery a very fashionable hobby in the 1990s, but if we’re being honest, that style won’t fair well if you’re a beginner. You’re bound to get some clay, slip, and/or slop onto your clothes.
Wear clothes that you’ll feel okay about getting dirty, like an old t-shirt and comfortable jeans or work shorts. You can also bring an extra shirt to change into after class.
Conclusion
While it’s definitely possible for you to learn pottery independently, there’s value in learning from an expert who can guide you through the proper techniques and strategies in handling clay and other ceramics equipment.
If the classes we’ve mentioned above don’t fit your criteria, there are plenty of other resources you may look into at the Stone Leaf Pottery website. They have a list of helpful Denver pottery classes for all skill levels — they also offer some ceramics classes of their own.