
School and Youth Group Field Trips
Bring your class to the Clay Studio of Missoula
to see the unique workings of our nonprofit studio and gallery!


An Educational Ceramics Art Experience!
This special option for classes and youth groups includes an educational tour of the studio and gallery, and concludes with a small handbuilt clay project! The two activities combined take approximately 2 hours.
Options available for the curated, open-ended projects available are on the menu below. There is some flexibility for students with special needs, which can be discussed with Education Coordinator Kelly Seitz. An up-charge for additional preparation may be necessary in some cases.
Please note, projects created must be fired and thus cannot be taken home the same day. Works will be processed in about one month. The classroom teacher or group lead will be notified by email when firing is complete, and they or another member of institution staff must pick up the projects to distribute to the class.
Pricing and Details
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Field Trip Base Fee: $50, to be paid as a deposit at the time of official booking. This option is unique in that the overall fee depends on group size. A fee of $10 for each project participant is due when the field trip begins, which can be paid by the host organization, or by each individual student, or a combination. Chaperones are welcome to participate, but must also pay the project fee to join in. Groups must have at least 5 participants, no more than 20 per group (special circumstances and scholarship availability can be discussed with Kelly Seitz).
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Example: Field trip for a 5 student group, $50 + 5($10) = $100 total.
These fees cover materials, and firing of works made during the project phase. Instruction is provided by our Education Coordinator to accommodate the special reduced rate.
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As per our standard refund policy, deposit is refundable until 1 week prior to the field trip experience, minus a $10 processing fee. Or, if you opt to reschedule/keep the credit on file to schedule at a later date, a credit for the full $50 will be kept on file at the studio.
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These trips are ideal for groups that would benefit from the educational portion of the tour, or small groups for which private bookings may be out of financial accessibility. The additional fee per project participant can be paid by the hosting school or organization, or by students individually.
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These sessions are specially hosted by the Education Coordinator, and are only available on weekdays when the studio is open and core staff are available.
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Teachers/Group Leaders must provide the name and phone number of the institution they work for to qualify for this special option.
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At least one responsible adult chaperone is expected to accompany each visiting group to help manage students.
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Field trips must be scheduled one month in advance. We cannot guarantee specific availability, months will vary based on classes and events. Occasionally we can fit a group in with a closer booking, but this is not guaranteed.
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Eligible Groups: public schools, school-based clubs, private schools, homeschool groups, youth serving organizations.
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Please familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct, and prepare your students to follow the studio rules HERE.
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Groups can call to book a standalone tour only for free. Tours must be within public open hours when studio staff are on hand, and take roughly 30-45 minutes. Standalone tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance.
Project Menu
01
Handbuilt Cups
Cups made with either stamped slabs or the pinch and coil method. These cups may not be water-tight depending on student building ability, but they make great vessels for pencils or even snacks!
03
Draw and Build Tiles
Students will make their own semi-3D decorative tile within a theme taught to the class (like succuelent gardens, aquariums, buildings, etc). We first draw lightly into the tiles, then create relief using additive building and carving.
(4th Grade and Up)
02
Snack Bowls
Learn to make a small pinch or slab based bowl to carry a serving of your favorite snack! We'll decorate our creations using a variety of techniques, depending on group ability.
04
Pinch Pot Creatures
Themed sculptures based on living things. Students get to create their own design within a theme taught to the whole class, such as animals, people, or even monsters!
(2nd Grade and Up)