ONE-DAY CLAY SAMPLER WORKSHOPS

Curious about ceramics but not ready to commit to a full course? Our One-Day Clay Sampler Workshops offer a relaxed, beginner-friendly introduction to working with clay.

Each workshop includes demonstrations, hands-on guidance from a ceramic teaching artist, clay, use of studio tools, and clear glazing and firing of one selected piece. No previous ceramics experience is required.

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Wednesday Themed Handbuilding Workshops

Explore a different  theme project for each month while learning fundamental handbuilding and surface-decoration techniques. Workshops offered during the same month will follow the same general theme while allowing participants to personalize their creations.

Ages: 16 and up
Time: Wednesdays, 6:30–9:00 PM
Instruction: 6:30–8:30 PM
Finishing and cleanup: 8:30–9:00 PM

September: Flowers and foliage Decorated Coiled Vases

Learn how to form decorative clay flowers and create a small vase using the coiling technique.

Dates: 9/16, 9/23, 9/30

October: Fall-Themed Slab Building

Celebrate the fall season by creating a handbuilt vase or cup using slab-building techniques. Participants may incorporate seasonal shapes, textures, and decorative details.

Dates: 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28

November and December: Handmade Holiday Gifts

Create a personal handmade gift while exploring simple handbuilding and surface-decoration techniques. Projects may include small plates, trays, ornaments, or other seasonal ceramic objects suitable for gifting or entertaining.

Dates: 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9


Saturday Pottery Wheel Sampler

Curious about working on the pottery wheel? This beginner-friendly workshop offers an opportunity to try wheel throwing for the first time or refresh skills learned in a previous class.

A ceramic teaching artist will demonstrate the basic steps of centering clay and forming a simple piece, such as a small bowl or cup. Participants will then receive hands-on guidance as they experiment with the wheel and create their own work.

Ages: 12 and up
Time: Saturdays, 10:00 AM–12:30 PM
Instruction: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Finishing and cleanup: 12:00–12:30 PM

Dates: 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5


Tuition and Firing

Single workshop: $95

  • Handbuilding Workshop: Includes one selected piece.

  • Pottery Wheel Workshop: Includes two selected pieces.

  • Additional pieces may be kept for a firing fee of $15 per piece.


Finished Work and Pickup

Ceramic work cannot be taken home on the day of the workshop. After class, each piece must dry completely before it can be fired and glazed.

The studio will apply a clear glaze to each selected piece. Depending on the project and available class time, participants may also have an opportunity to decorate their work with underglaze.

For pottery wheel workshops, the instructor will minimally trim the bottom of the selected piece to remove sharp edges and prepare it for firing.

Finished work will generally be ready for pickup approximately three to four weeks after the workshop. Because ceramics involves multiple stages and firings, occasional cracking, warping, or other unexpected results may occur.


Cancellation and Rescheduling

  • Cancellations requested more than one week before the scheduled workshop will receive a refund of the tuition, less a $15 administrative fee.

  • Cancellations requested within one week of the scheduled workshop are eligible for a 50% refund.

  • No refunds will be issued once the workshop has begun.

  • If you have a scheduling conflict, you may transfer your registration to another available workshop by contacting us at least 24 hours before your scheduled workshop.

Missed Workshops

Makeup sessions are not available for missed workshops. Please select a date that works with your schedule.

Studio-Canceled Workshops

If Manhattan Youth must cancel a workshop because of weather, an emergency, or another unforeseen circumstance, participants may transfer their registration to another available date.

If you have any questions, please contact: susan@manhattanyouth.org