The Best Pottery Classes in Grand Rapids (Complete Local’s Guide)

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best pottery classes grand rapids

My son came home with a pinch pot from one of these studio classes. He hoisted it above his head like a trophy, his face beaming.

Remember pinch pots? Simple things, really. Form some clay into a ball, stick your thumb in the center to create a void, and pinch around the top of the void to seal it. Bake it in a kiln and glaze it in the color of your choice.

My kid went with rainbow glaze. Rainbow is, after all, his favorite color. I stuck some potting soil and a succulent in there and set it by a window, where it’s growing far too fast for my liking.

Discover the joy of pottery. Of getting your hands dirty with clay. Beam at what you create. Hoist your creation above your head like a trophy.

Let’s take a look at some of my favorite pottery classes in Grand Rapids.

Map of Pottery Classes in Grand Rapids, MI

The best pottery studio for a date night: The Mud Room

An article about pottery? You know I’m working a Ghost reference in.

If you’ve never seen the film, Patrick Swayze, shirtless for some reason, approaches Demi Moore at her potter’s wheel, and his hands rest on top of hers. The fact that their hands are covered in clay does not seem to bother the couple.

The needle on the record player drops, and Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers warbles to life. Much kissing and caressing ensue.

This is a family blog. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination.

Anyway, apparently, pottery can be romantic. Re-create the pottery scene from Ghost. Fellas, just keep your shirts on when you’re at The Mud Room.

If you’re looking to do some wheel throwing with your boo, The Mud Room is perfect for you. Wheel throwing is simply a pottery term for using a potter’s wheel to shape and form clay. It’s how artists take a lump of clay and create something useful out of it.

New to pottery? Enroll in their 3-week beginner course, and you’ll master the basics.

Want to enroll your kids in classes? The Mud Room offers a myriad of kid-friendly programs, so your child can unleash their inner Beatrice Wood (the ceramicist who was the “mama of dada”) or Pablo Picasso (did you know he worked in ceramics?).

  • Address: 1971 E Beltline Ave NE Suite 103, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
  • Website: The Mud Room

The best pottery studio for kids: Your Plate Or Mine

Adults are welcome here too, and there are some terrific art projects available for them. There are classes on clay projects, in addition to canvas and pottery painting.

But Your Plate Or Mine really shines when it comes to their kids’ offerings. Art projects involving tic-tac-toe, wall chimes, and painting a ceramic pot of gold are just the tip of the iceberg at Your Plate Or Mine. Host your kid’s birthday here for a day they’ll never forget.

Please note, Your Plate Or Mine studios is located in Muskegon, Michigan. This is approximately 45 minutes northwest of metro Grand Rapids.

  • Address: 5600 Harvey St., Suite 2080, Muskegon, Michigan 49444
  • Website: Your Plate Or Mine

The best personalized lessons: Kate Lewis Ceramics

Kate Lewis is a ceramicist and artist. Shop her premade creations on her website, or reach out to hire her for a private commission. You may recognize some of her pieces from the hippest local restaurants, who often buy their serving ware from Kate.

Treat yourself to some of her bowls. They will instantly become the coolest serving ware in your cupboard. They are perfect for entertaining, and your guests will be floored that you’re serving them from ceramic bowls that were created by a local artist.

But wait, there’s more. Kate Lewis also teaches pottery classes. If you’re looking for lessons in clay from a working artist, you can request a booking through her site.

A studio with little something for everyone: Pottery Lane Studio & Workshop

Pottery Lane is another ceramic studio that offers a class type for everyone. If you want to wheel throw, they have single classes for that. Longer sessions are also available, so you can master the wheel. Either way, their super-friendly, expert instructors will be on hand to help you whenever you run stuck.

They also offer a drop-in class called “Friday night fun.” Grab your besties, listen to some tunes in their relaxed atmosphere, and create something you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.

If the potter’s wheel intimidates you, take a course in hand-building. Hand-building is my favorite thing offered at Pottery Lane. In these classes, you’ll manipulate clay to form whatever you dream up.

Your hand-building creation can be a figurine (how cool would a clay version of your favorite cartoon character be?), your new go-to coffee mug, or an heirloom-quality holiday ornament. Make something great, and make memories doing it at Pottery Lane.

  • Address: 401 Hall St. SW Suite B128, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
  • Website: Pottery Lane

The best pottery painting studio: Accidental Art

If mastering the potter’s wheel and hand-building something ceramic isn’t for you, consider heading up to Rockford and checking out Accidental Art. They’ve done the hard work for you.

Select a piece of pottery that’s already formed and ready to go. Pick a dish, bowl, serving plate – whatever appeals to you – all you’ve got to do is paint it.

Your hands won’t even get dirty (unless you’re a messy painter). Grab your squad and reserve the whole studio if you want.

Accidental Art also offers events and classes, including some that are geared toward kids. Get your budding artist creating away in the studio, where they belong.

  • Address: 355 Northland Dr. NE, Rockford, MI 49341
  • Website: Accidental Art