City of Minneapolis Continued Ed Ceramics Class

Grab some mud and spin the wheel!

Whether you're total beginner (present!) or an experienced potter…er… the Twin Cities features an incredible clay community with some awesome pottery classes!

This unique activity makes for a total hit with the kids, a fun date night, or even just a great way for us adults to pick up a new hobby!

Read on for our guide to all the best pottery classes around Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Twin Cities suburbs.

Twin Cities Map of Pottery Studios

Artistry (Bloomington)

No matter where you are in your experience with ceramics, Artistry has something to offer.  Formed when the Bloomington Art Center merged with the Bloomington Civic Theater in 2009, Artistry offers "Clay for a Day" workshops for small groups, children's classes, and open studio time for more experienced potters.  One of our favorites is their regular Family Arts Day programs, where they open the studios up for artists of all ages.

• Address: 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431
• Website: Artistry

Caufield Clay Works (St. Paul)

For more than 40 years, Kevin Caufield of Caufield Clay Works has combined his passion for pottery with his gifts as a teacher.  Classes in the University Avenue studio focus on classic wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques. Caufield's 2-hour Wine and Clay class has been popular for several years and makes a frequent appearance on Groupon.  They also offer leadership and collaboration classes to add some artistic flair to your next corporate team-building event.

• Address: 2242 University Ave W #150, St Paul, MN 55114
• Website: Caufield Clay Works

Creator's Space (Lowertown, St. Paul)

When Kevin and Melissa Dessart opened Creator's Space, their idea was simple.  They aimed to build a community of diverse Creators working in a space that nurtured creativity.  Membership in the Creator's community provides access to state-of-the-art studio and classroom space, including a full pottery studio.  Their Just Begin classes (a one-time sign-up or free with a Creator's membership) include one-night clay experiences that are a fun introduction to potting.  It's totally worth it, if for no other reason than to check out the 34,000 square feet of gorgeous space in Lowertown St. Paul.

• Address: 218 7th St E, St Paul, MN 55101
• Website: Creators Space

Eagan Art House (Eagan, MN)

The Eagan Art House, part of the City of Eagan's Parks and Rec Department, is one of the best options for community-based classes on wheel throwing and ceramics construction.  Classes are open to both Eagan and the surrounding Metro residents and include options for all ages and a range of skill levels.  If you're looking for a group option, they also offer private classes for corporate and family gatherings.

• Address:3981 Lexington Ave S, Eagan, MN 55123
• Website: Eagan Art House

Edina Art Center (Edina, MN)

Edina Art Center has long been one of the premier pottery facilities in the Twin Cities area (and all of Minnesota).  It began in the late 1970s and has grown to more than 20 staff and volunteers who support their community classes.  Their extensive facilities accommodate a wide range of techniques, meaning you can sign up for a beginner's course and continue to advance your skills.

While classes have been on hold during the pandemic, we expect their complete programming to return soon.   That includes host classes led by nationally and internationally known artists who can't wait to help you throw a new creation.

• Address: 4701 W 64th St, Edina, MN 55435
• Website: Edina Art Center

Fired Up Studios (Golden Valley, MN)

For more than 20 years, Fired Up Studios in Golden Valley has been providing potters of all levels the chance to explore clay in a relaxed and creative environment.  They offer two types of courses for beginners, a two-hour Clay Date class and a longer, eight-week Beginning Pottery course.  Many graduates of the eight-week course continue to their intermediate throwing courses.

If you have some experience throwing already, you might consider their membership plans, which allow you access to their open studio hours, high-quality equipment, and full firing services.

• Address: 1000 Boone Ave N Suite #380, Golden Valley, MN 55427
• Website: Fired Up Studios

Northern Clay Center (Minneapolis)

We've written before about the experience of visiting Northern Clay Center as one of the premier galleries in the Midwest. It's also one of the top locations to learn more about ceramic arts in the Metro and Minnesota. The artists and Northern provide wheel-throwing and hand-building courses and options to host small group parties and special workshops upon request.  The classes fill up quickly here, so register your entire group early to ensure everyone can attend.

• Address: 2424 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
• Website: Northern Clay Center

Pig's Eye Pottery (West 7th, St. Paul)

Many of the other studios on this list offer classes as a side component to their gallery and studio space, not as the star of the show.  Jason, at Pig's Eye Pottery, focuses on the complete opposite.  At Pig's Eye, classes and teaching come first.  Their 2-hour pottery sessions are among Minnesota's highest-rated team-building activities. Up to 20 people can come together for a unique wheel throwing or hand-building class, paired with a laid-back beer and wine tasting in their St. Paul studio.  Their 'pottery and wine' classes are also popular, with plenty of opportunities to relax, try some pottery skills, and enjoy an evening with friends.  And if you're looking for an extra-special event, Pig's Eye will even bring the class to you, setting up private pottery classes in your own home or event space.

• Address: 1163 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
• Website: Pig's Eye Pottery

The Workshop MPLS (Minneapolis)

Nestled in the Nokomis Village area of Minneapolis, the Workshop MPLS has been offering clay art classes for children, teens, and adults at various skill levels. There are so many things to love about their studio, especially that you'll find offerings here that you won't find anywhere else.  That includes:

• Private 1:1 lessons and online consultations to help you fine-tune a new technique or consult on a tricky pottery problem.
• Parent and child work-together classes
• Mixed level and skill classes to allow artists with different experiences to work alongside each other
• Art opportunities specifically designed to support marginalized communities, including sessions for artists of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community to explore ceramics in a safe space.

Definitely a unique pottery spot to check out in the Twin Cities!

• Address: 5004 S 34th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417
• Website: The Workshop MPLS

Don't forget Continental Clay Company!

Are you more of a self-paced learner?  Prefer a DIY pottery experience at home on your own? Need supplies for your first class? While they don't teach on-site classes, we'd be leaving out a Twin-Cities gem by not including Continental Clay Company on this list.  If you're Twin Cities-based and interested in all-things pottery, you'll want to check out Continental. It's one of the most prominent ceramics supply outlets in the United States and the go-to place for clay, glazes, tools, equipment, and pretty much anything else you'd need.  We're confident in saying the 65,000 square feet of warehouse, shop, and gallery space will knock your pottery socks off.  Plus, Continental's staff know their stuff and are willing to explain anything and everything.

• Address: 1101 NE Stinson Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55413
• Website: Continental Clay Company

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Source: https://discoverthecities.com/best-pottery-classes-twin-cities/

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