Best Ceramics Classes In Bay Area

Study where creativity thrives! The Berkeley Art Studio is welcoming to the community, not only to UC Berkeley registered students. Whatever creative passion you naturally follow, the Berkeley Art Studio is committed to helping you work toward your goals in a variety of mediums, including pottery and ceramics, at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes are fee-based and offered Sunday through Friday, with morning, afternoon and evening classes available depending on the instructor. Check the website for complete information and fees.

Black Bean Ceramic Art Center opened its doors in 2009, the realization of the dream of two ceramic artist friends from San Jose State University who envisioned opening their own ceramic studio. Ruben Reyes and Will Johnson, both MA graduates of SJSU, opened their ceramics studio as something apart from other art studios. Black Bean Ceramic Art Center is membership-based and open 24/7 so ceramic artists can have a place to work with clay whenever they feel the inspiration. The huge open workspace — 4,000 square feet, with areas for wheel throwing, hand building, glazing, firing and whatever else it takes for an artist's vision to materialize — is complete with the tools and machinery ceramic artists need to work. There are two kinds of memberships available: Independent Artist ($115/month) and Technical Support ($172/month; includes two hours of private lessons each month). Memberships include access 24/7 to the facilities, glazes, and you can bring your own clay or buy it there, plus a lot more. Black Bean also offers classes: a six-week pottery wheel class, with one three-hour class per week, and children classes, both on Saturdays. Check the website for full details on everything.

SMAart Gallery & Studio, founded in 2012, is a multi-tasking venue with gallery exhibits, studio rentals and ceramic classes onboard. Focusing mainly on ceramic artists, gallery exhibits highlight ceramic, pottery and sculpture artists and offers ceramics classes for students at all levels. SMAart Gallery & Studio has ceramic classes in wheel throwing, hand building and sculpture taught by professional ceramicists who bring innovative techniques to their classes, or for students to ultimately work independently on projects. The well-equipped and well-lit studio is a great place to learn and work at all levels, while more advanced learners and artists can rent space to work and showcase their art. Classes are for beginning, intermediate and advanced learners and run two hours each (registered in bundles of one to eight classes/$59 - $354). Artist memberships are available at four levels, depending on intended use. Visit the website for complete details.

Pottery students love the Potter's Studio. They say the studio is well-equipped and offers excellent classes every day taught by qualified, talented instructors. This wonderful facility truly is a one-of-a-kind ceramics center located in Berkeley, California, one of the nation's most forward-thinking cities for learning about and creating art. Serious ceramic artists have a place to go for hard-to-find training on electric and gas kilns and the art of mixing glazes. The Potter's Studio offers memberships with 24/7 access, plus classes, a gallery and a lot more. Also available are half-day, one-day and five-day passes (Take 5 program for $75) for artists unable to get to the studio on a regular basis. These short-term passes are priced at $10 for less than two hours, and $20 for more than two hours. The Pottery Studio also offers a range of classes to learn the basics, hone your craft and learn techniques for success as a ceramic artist. Be sure to register early for classes. The Pottery Studio is very popular and classes fill quickly with waiting list notifications for next classes as an option.

The Palo Alto Art Center is a wonderful place for adults and children to take art classes and workshops. Well-trained, professional artists are instructors in the studio program, which offers a range of classes and workshops in a variety of media, including ceramics, pottery and sculpture (registration: $330/$379 resident/non-resident). Click here to view all adult classes and workshops, and to register.