About

Even if you have never touched clay before, the Clawson Clay Guild can give you the opportunity to test your skill at the pottery wheel, hand-build your own birdhouse, and engage with other clay lovers who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get creative!  

What makes us different?  A lot of studios cram as many students as they can into a single class. From small class sizes to ample open-studio time, We’re all about YOU.

Studio Details

SPACIOUSNESS
With the onset of the pandemic, sitting snuggly next to dozens of other patrons in a small studio space no longer felt cozy and comfortable.  The Clawson Clay Guild is approximately 5,000 square feet, with ample room to spread out, two big wedging tables, two double-sinks for easy clean-up, a comfy sitting area with dozens of art books to peruse while you relax, and several work tables where you can glaze, hand-build or just sip your coffee and breathe easy. 

SMALL CLASS SIZES
Even with the spaciousness offered by our studio, we like to keep the class sizes small.  This gives us the opportunity to answer your questions, coach you through various strategies for centering your clay on the wheel, pulling the clay evenly, and helping you grow as a potter.  No matter how much experience you have, it’s a lot easier to learn something with personal attention.

STUDENT PRIORITY ACCESS
All students have unlimited access to open studio time!! Have you ever enrolled in a clay class to find that the only time you were able to touch a wheel was during the 3-hour class time?  Or maybe you drove across town to use those precious open studio hours, only to discover that all the wheels were being used when you arrived?  At the Clawson Clay Guild, you can see which wheels are in use and reserve a wheel to practice your skills six-days a week! Come into your class early or stay late. 

Techniques and Glazes

MID-FIRE GLAZES, COMBINATIONS, AND FIRING TECHNIQUES
Most paint-a-pot studios only offer low-fire ceramic glaze options in a low-fire ceramic kiln. While low-fire glazes have improved over the years, the rich and dynamic colors achievable with higher-firing temperatures are simply not to be had with low-fire glazes. The Clawson Clay Guild uses mid-fire clays and glazes, offers special raku firings.  If you aren’t familiar with these lovely textures and processes, just click below to glimpse what is possible!

CRYSTALLINE GLAZING
These are not off-the shelf, pre-made glazes commonly found in low-fire clay studios, crystalline glazing is a stunning pottery technique that GROWS crystals on your pottery during the firing process!  It requires precision and skill in its application, construction of the vessel, and removal of the vessel from its firing base, so this firing method will be made available to advanced students only.

PAINT-A-CHRISTMAS-TREE CLASSES
We will be offering pre-made bisque occasionally—including paint-a-Christmas-Tree classes next November and December.  Do you want to recreate that funky, retro-ceramic tree that your great-aunt Jane always had out during the holidays?  Sign up for our newsletter and like us on Instagram or Facebook so you’ll never miss out on a chance to be creative.

What We Don’t Offer

POTTERY FIRING FOR NON-STUDENTS
Due to the difficulties in determining the best firing schedules and outcomes for pottery, the Clawson Clay Guild does not fire pottery pieces that are constructed outside of the CCG or with clay that is not available through the CCG.

FAQs

  • Classes are typially posted a week or two before they begin.

  • Students may come in and take advantage of 40+ hours of open studio anytime during our open hours at the following times:

    Tues: 5pm-10pm
    Wed-Fri: 12pm-10pm
    Sat-Sun: 12pm-5pm

  • You can purchase approved studio clay from us and/or buy the studio approved clay elsewhere and bring it in. Ask your instructor about the current clay offerings.

  • If it fires to cone 6, you can use it. Our studio offers a variety of the following brands:

    Underglazes
    Gare Fun Strokes
    Mayco Stoneware
    Amaco
    In-House Dipping glazes

  • Students may purchase a Weekly Class-Gap Studio Pass to complete any work they did not finish glazing during the duration of their 3 or 6 week class.

    Purchase a Weekly Class-Gap Passes