Host your own private get-together over a clay project at the Clay Studio of Missoula! Clay projects are a unique way to have fun and can be great for everything from a child's birthday party to an office retreat!
If you're hand-building, you can request a theme or simple project (like coil pottery, mugs, jars, garden markers, incense holders, animals, pets, etc.), stop by ahead and pick from our project samples as a starting point (that will be customized by each person), or leave it to your teaching artist to teach one of their favorites as a surprise. You can also talk to Education Coordinator Kelly Seitz via email/phone about what might be possible within a given theme. We can usually come up with something fun and age/skill appropriate. Remember, 2 hours goes fast! You can add a third hour for an additional fee, but be sure to temper your project goals, and most importantly: come to have fun! Save those big dream projects for longer classes where you can invest more time. Why can't everyone just do their own thing? Hand-building, though fun and accessible, requires builds to follow methods to be fired safely and successfully. Our projects are not strict - so folks can customize to their heart's content with themes, colors, and more - but we ask that participants use the methods demonstrated. There's slightly less room to explore off the bat than other art forms, but most other arts don't have to survive being fired to around 2000º Fahrenheit.
Wheel throwing events are a try-me of the electric potter's wheel, a power tool that helps us harness a turning wheel to speed up the pottery making process. The technique is tricky, but the basics can be a blast to learn with a group of friends, and is a unique experience. You'll even get a memento for the attempt, as we will fire and apply clear glaze to up to 3 successful pots per person. Why do we not ask you what you want to make on the wheel? Because a majority of beginners are not able to fully control what they make without quite a few hours of practice. First-timers usually make cups and bowls.
With the items created at any event, it takes about 4 weeks to fully dry, fire, glaze, and re-fire everything for pick up. This can be faster or slower depending on a number of factors like weather and the schedule in our classroom space. The booking party will be emailed when their projects are ready to pick up.
Some glazing options are available for private sessions. If you are handbuilding, you can use special Stroke & Coat glaze to color your projects at the event if time allows. If there is not enough time to use Stroke & Coat, the projects can either be dipped in clear, or left unglazed so that paint can be applied at home later on. For wheel throwing, if you do not like the idea of clear glaze, we can reduce the keep count to 2 per person, and will offer the color options available at Pottery Date Night instead.
Special circumstances like needing a unique schedule to accommodate a rotating school group, or accessible projects for students with special needs can be discussed with Education Coordinator Kelly Seitz. Questions can be emailed to fire@theclaystudioofmissoula.org
Hand-building
Build a clay project with your hands!
A clay instructor will teach you different building techniques such as slabs and coils to create a sculpture or pottery project of your choice! Highly versatile and fun, projects can suit a wide variety of themes!
Starts at $275
Seats 2-12 People
Age 5+
Extra People: $25 per person/up to 4
Extra Hour: $100
Wheel
Throwing
Learn the basics of the
potter's wheel!
You'll learn to center clay on the wheel, and try out the basic technique! Beginners will learn to make small cylinders and bowls, and may make a few pieces they can keep!
Starts at $325
10 people maximum
Age 12+ Only
Extra Hour: $125
Ready to Begin?
Please read details above or download the brochure below to read details before making your request. If you have further questions, contact Education Coordinator Kelly Seitz directly via email (preferred), or by calling the studio office
during open hours (M-F 12PM - 5PM).
You can begin booking by filling out the form below to send in an event request. Current instructor and classroom availability will be checked, and we will contact you with options as near to your date range and time preference as possible.
All private events must be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance. Three or more weeks in advance is preferred whenever possible.
Alternatively, you can call the studio and book over the phone, or schedule a meeting with Kelly Seitz to book your event in person if you prefer.
Private Event - Initial Request
Please Note: All events must be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance. Three or more weeks in advance is preferred whenever possible.