I’ve always thought pottery looked like a zen, creative, and artistic escape from the everyday. You know, all those videos of perfectly formed clay mugs and minimalist bowls on TikTok?
Easy, right? Well, not really!
My DIY pottery attempts resulted in lopsided mugs that wouldn’t hold a drop of coffee and bowls that looked like they were sculpted by a toddler.
So, I decided to cut my losses (and my clay budget) and check out different pottery classes in town.
Here’s who made it onto my list of the best.
How much does it cost to take a pottery class in Calgary?
It costs at least 50 CAD to take a pottery class in Calgary. However, this price is just an estimate. The actual cost depends on the type of class, length, materials, and more.
Table of Contents
1. Clay for Kids
Contact Details:+1 403-281-4882
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8:30 AM to 4 PM
Clay for Kids is a mobile pottery studio with instructors who are fantastic with children. They are incredibly patient and encouraging. I liked that they understood how to make learning fun for kids and didn’t just teach them techniques.
The instructors encourage children to be creative and explore their own ideas, fostering an environment that nurtures their imagination and problem-solving skills.
Apart from that, they also have special kids’ tables set up with fun supplies like paint, glitter, and stickers. This allows children to decorate their creations after they’re done—and kids love it.
Many parents appreciate that the studio provides a variety of clays to work with, including air-dry clay and even some sparkly options. They also have a wide selection of sculpting tools, making it easy for kids to bring their ideas to life.
Another highlight is their use of non-toxic materials and their emphasis on keeping everything super clean, ensuring students’ safety.
The one downside is that if you book their classes for a birthday party or event, some customers have complained that the instructors often show up late.
Very accessible price point
“We booked Clay for Kids for our Girl Guides unit, and they had so much fun! Jennifer was a great instructor, helped the girls out and cheered them on for success. The price point is very accessible and overall it was a great introduction to ceramics for our unit. I would highly recommend anyone, teachers or user groups to book!”
– Torrie Gass, Google Reviews
Provides easy-to-understand instruction
“We had 3 groups of children take pat in Clay for kids and each child thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The teaching was step by step and easy for the children to understand. Jennifer was amazing so warm and encouraging. A excellent experience that we would love to do again.”
– Canmore Daycare, Google Reviews
2. Wildflower Arts Centre
Address: 3363 Spruce Dr SW
Contact Details: +1 403-249-3773
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday- 8:30 AM to 10 PM
- Friday & Saturday 8:30 AM to 5 PM
Wildflower Arts Centre is a great place to learn pottery, no matter your skill level.
I’ve taken both hand-building and wheel-throwing classes, and the instructors are amazing. They’re patient and encourage you to experiment. They’re not afraid to let you make mistakes—after all, that’s how you learn.
I love that the studio is well-equipped, with a wide selection of tools, clays, and glazes to choose from. There’s a pug mill for preparing clay, a slab roller for making tiles, and a variety of molds for hand-building. They even have an accessible potter’s wheel!
I also appreciate how they prioritize safety. The studio is clean and well-ventilated, and they use lead-free glazes.
One thing I wish they had was more class times and options. The scheduling can be a bit limited, which can be frustrating if you have a busy schedule or want to take specific classes.
Great studios and classes offered
“Great studios & classes offered here! I took the beginner wheel throwing class and I’ve loved it, they taught the basics but we’re also open to letting students experiment with different projects. Lots of great artwork on display and in the hallways to admire as well. I’ll definitely continue going to classes and markets here when I can!”
– Cara Riley, Google Reviews
Nice and patient instructors
“A very nice place for the kids to have their activities especially in summer time. There are the classes for difference age of kids including dancing, drawing, ceramic…….Instructors are nice and patience to the attendants. Outside parking is available. The price for the session is quite reasonable.”
– Phen Kwok, Google Reviews
3. Workshop Studios
Address: 2501 Alyth Rd SE Bay 3
At Workshop Studios, I loved being able to use the variety of hand-building tools available. They have 16 CSA-approved Shimpo RK Whisper wheels, a 30″ Bailey slab roller, and an extruder.
They even have a hood vent for glaze mixing, which is great for safety and a clean workspace.
I also liked that the studio offers different class formats. You can take weekly workshops, date night classes, or even private lessons.
There are also studio memberships that provide 24/7 access to the studio, though these can be expensive if you’re just starting out.
I took a beginner’s wheel-throwing class and liked how they taught us to center, pull, shape, and join the clay.
They had an extensive selection of high-quality Plainsman clays for various textures and finishes. The range of glazes available was equally impressive, offering a rich palette of colors and effects to enhance the final pieces.
I also appreciated how, throughout the class, the instructors provided valuable insights into design principles, glaze chemistry, and artistic expression.
My only complaint was the long wait to enter the class.
Awesome studio set-up
“Booked a private wheel throwing lesson with my family and we all enjoyed it so much. Thanks to Kailen for all your helpful instruction, being patient with us and helping out wherever needed throughout the 2-hr session. Awesome studio & set-up. Loved it all around and would highly recommend for your next event! Can’t wait to see our pieces out of the kiln.”
– Naween Mohammed, Google Reviews
Outstanding ceramic classes
“Workshop offers outstanding ceramics classes. I have taken both pottery wheel and hand-building classes with them. The teachers are knowledgeable and kind, the space is gorgeous, the vibe is calming and welcoming and fun, and I always am so pleased with the things I make.”
– Tara Put, Google Reviews
4. Mud Urban Potters
Address: 4111 13a St SE
Contact Details: +1 604-506-7707
Mud Urban Potters is a great place to learn pottery, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned potter. I really like that they embrace both wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques, giving you plenty of options to explore.
They offer a variety of classes to choose from, too. I love how the 7-week classes provide a great way to develop your skills and a portfolio over time.
There are classes for beginners, intermediate students, and even those who want to focus on hand-building techniques.
They also have Friday Night Throw Downs—a fun and social way to try out wheel throwing.
Their workshops are also a blast! They offer sessions on everything from making flower jars to building your own charcuterie board—which I did, and to my surprise, it turned out well.
I appreciated the patient instructors and the supportive, collaborative atmosphere.
One thing I found frustrating, though, was the limited studio access. They have a cap on how many people are allowed to use it. Plus, you have to book a spot, and they often have a waiting list.
Beautiful facility and personable instructors
“Had a great time at Mud! We took advantage of their date night offer for couples – you don’t have to be on a date, it’s great if you just want to go with a friend. The facility is beautiful (don’t let the industrial neighbourhood fool you) and the instructors are personable. I’m very close to a five star for Mud – the instructions were good but would have been more valuable if given while we were throwing. Sometimes they would step in while I was throwing and fix my creation – I don’t mind if my piece turns out a little rough because I know it was mine. Instructions on how to fix it would have been preferred. After your pieces are done drying, they fire and glaze them for you so your involvement is limited to the one evening of throwing and then picking up the completed pieces. A very enjoyable date night – highly recommended!”
– Andreas Berko, Google Reviews
Inviting and encouraging instructors
“A must try! Mud will have you hooked. The space is beautiful and the instructors are warm, inviting, encouraging and incredibly informative. Having never tried pottery before I did not know what to expect but I highly recommend it to anyone. Great as a personal time to be creative, a fun evening with friends and also a Great Date Night. Check it out!”
– kelly koss, Google Reviews
5. Fired Clay Pottery Studio Inc.
Address: 6125 12 St SE #4, Calgary, AB T2H 2K1, Canada
Contact Details:
Operating Hours:
I like that Fired Clay Pottery Studio offers classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced. The intro wheel-throwing classes are fantastic, and the instructors really emphasize proper form.
I loved how the instructors broke down the techniques into easy steps. They were incredibly helpful and patient, making me feel comfortable asking questions. Anytime I was stuck, they were always there to guide me.
I also took one of their hand-building classes, which was a lot of fun. I learned how to make pinch pots, coils, and slabs.
Another thing I appreciate is their high-quality equipment, so you’re not stuck using flimsy tools that break. They provide all the clay, glazes, and tools you need, which is super convenient—the only thing you need to bring is an apron.
The studio has plenty of pottery wheels. However, it can get really crowded, especially during evening classes, making it hard to get a wheel.
Engaging and patient instructors
“What an incredible experience! I totally sucked at doing it but had such a good time. It was easy to register and the staff were welcoming to our group who booked a private event.The two instructors were engaging and were very patient especially with me. It is a great facility and the work stations are spaced far enough apart to provide space to work but close to enough to converse with the other participants. We were provided hands on instruction and given the opportunity to make as many pieces as we could during our time and were allowed to take home I believe 4 pieces. (I only completed 2)
Most of the group had 2-3 pieces that were going to be finished.We had lots of glazes to choose from. It was a great night out and well worth the money.”
– valdene callin, Google Reviews
Comfortable environment and outstanding services
“This pottery studio surpasses expectations, not only for its outstanding services, which include a variety of tools, wheels, and opportunities like 24/7 studio access for practice, but also for exceptional instructors like Sowgand. Her caring and professional approach creates a comfortable environment, making each session enjoyable. Sowgand’s willingness to help and her patience have made my pottery experience truly remarkable. I have participated in a wheel-throw class and eagerly anticipate more classes with her. I definitely recommend this studio to anyone interested in pottery.”
– Leyla, Google Review
