Abstract geometric artwork with large dark blue shape in the center, orange and beige textured patterns with dots and brushstrokes along the edges.

CERAMICS STUDIO

Creative Clay Studio

formerly called Open Pottery

TUESDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
2:30 pm - 7:30 pm

SATURDAYS
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Creative Clay Studio is expanding with flexible online reservations in one-hour increments, giving you more freedom to create on your schedule.

Choose Table Space for handbuilding, glazing, decorating, carving, or hand trimming, or reserve a Pottery Wheel for throwing, wheel trimming, or practicing your skills.

Reserve Studio Time

    • $15/hour per person

    • Includes: instructor help, use of studio tools/equipment, bisque & glaze firing, and access to a variety of glazes

    • Clay is available for purchase at the studio for $1.50/lb.

    • Pay at the front desk after you have completed your studio session(s)

    • Pottery Wheel: Participants must have completed Olio’s Intro to the Pottery Wheel class or have prior wheel experience approved by an instructor.

      Table Space: All skill levels are welcome for handbuilding, glazing, decorating, carving, and hand trimming.

      New to the wheel?
      Please register for Intro to the Pottery Wheel before reserving pottery wheel time.

  • TABLE SPACE
    For handbuilding, glazing, decorating, carving, or trimming by hand. Limited to 8 artists per hour.

    POTTERY WHEEL
    For throwing, trimming on the wheel, or practicing your skills. Intro to the Pottery Wheel or prior approval is required. Limited to 4 artists per hour.

    (SATURDAYS: ADVANCED users only — must have completed Intro to the Pottery Wheel or have prior experience)

    • Reservations are required and are made online.

      Studio time is reserved in one-hour increments. Need more time? Reserve consecutive hours when available.

      Tuesdays & Wednesdays: Reservations must be made at least 4 hours in advance.
      Saturdays: Reservations must be made at least 2 hours in advance.

      When booking, choose either Table Space or Pottery Wheel based on the type of work you plan to do.

    • Kids 15 & under must come with an adult or have permission

    • Only clay bought at Olio or approved by an instructor may be used (to protect kiln & artwork)

    • Participants must clean their area after each session

  • Tuesdays & Wednesdays:
    Mary Mertes

    Saturdays:
    Izzie Muehlenkamp, Jackie Thomas, or Jim Lorbeck

    Creative Clay Studio is independent studio time with assistance available as needed. It is not a structured pottery class.

Woman smiling and giving a thumbs-up at a pottery wheel, with clay pottery on it, in a pottery studio.

Intro to the Pottery Wheel with Mary Mertes

FIRST & THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH
3:00 - 5:00 pm or 5:45 - 7:45 pm

Register Now

  • $40/person

    • Includes 2 hours of instruction, clay, and tools needed

    • $40 cost will include Creative Clay Studio costs to trim & glaze

    Registration must be paid online.

    • Learn the pottery wheel process by throwing a bowl

    • Instructor guides you through:

      • Setting up your workspace (wheel, clay, water, tools)

      • Centering clay on the wheel

      • Shaping the walls and finishing the rim

      • Cutting the bowl free from the wheel

    • Return visits:

      • ~1 week later (during Creative Clay Studio) to trim your bowl

      • ~3 weeks later to glaze your bowl

      • Ask instructor about timing if you have questions due to firing

  • Beginner
    Designed for adults and teens. Children 12 and under without any wheel experience must take a private lesson before taking a group lesson.

  • All supplies provided. Aprons are also provided as this can be a messy process!

  • Limit of 4 students per session

  • Ceramics Studio

  • Mary Mertes

  • Once you complete this course, you will be able to reserve the pottery wheel during Creative Clay Studio sessions.

Creative Clay Studio Punch Cards

A flexible and convenient way to enjoy time in the studio on your schedule.

Learn More

  • To help us manage studio space and materials, the following timelines apply to all pottery left at Olio, unless prior arrangements have been made with staff:

    • Greenware (unfired work):
      Must be claimed within 6 months. After this time, unclaimed pieces will be recycled.

    • Bisque-fired work:
      Must be claimed within 6 months. After this time, pieces will be donated or sold in the gift shop, with proceeds benefiting Olio.

    • Glaze-fired work:
      Must be claimed within 6 months. After this time, pieces will be donated or sold in the gift shop, with proceeds benefiting Olio.

    Olio is not responsible for damage or loss of work left beyond these timeframes.

    Olio Board of Directors Approved: 5/19/2026

  • Olio instructors and volunteers handle all pottery with the utmost care and respect throughout the forming, drying, glazing, and firing processes.

    Due to the nature of ceramics, damage can occur that is beyond our control, including but not limited to cracking, warping, glaze defects, or kiln-related issues.

    If a piece is damaged while in Olio’s care, the situation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. When appropriate, Olio may offer the artist a number of studio hours equivalent to the time invested in creating the piece as a way to make it right.

    By participating in the pottery studio, artists acknowledge and accept the inherent risks of the ceramic process, including the possibility of loss or damage during firing.

    Olio Board of Directors Approved: 5/19/2026

All Olio Policies