Clayworks On Columbia

I have been at this studio for more than an decade. The teachers have been uniformly very talented and interested in seeing their students gain skills but meet their own personal goals. It’s a very friendly group, with creative people who are often available to help. Students are welcome to explore in class with studio clay and glazes, but also to explore techniques they may have found on the internet or ceramics magazines. Negatives may include when the open studio time is versus your schedule and at times having to wait for glazes to be replenished. However, if you are either an accomplished potter or a newbie you will be welcomes and made to feel welcome.

Is 3.5 stars an option? I only say this because it’s above average by far but doesn’t quite make my requirements for a 4.
Clayworks is divided into two schools of instruction — 1) 10 week instructor guided courses with unlimited use (during class time and open studio while class term is in session) of two kinds of clay and supplies, 2) monthly rental shelf space with your own golden key to the facility. You can come any time you want except during course time. So the clientele lends itself to potters of all experience.
Pros:
— loosey goosey honor system, system. Clayworks seems to be run by its potters. There’s a lock box where firing fees and course registration costs are dropped.
–There’s no one looking over your shoulder which lends itself to seemingly limitless possibilities for creativity. This is an environment of very talented artists. Just cruise through the shelves (but don’t touch!).
–The class sizes are small which allows for more individual instruction.
–2 kinds of clay. Fantastic!
–Class courses are very reasonably priced — one of the cheapest studios in the NYC area.
–The students and renters are a close community. They have BBQs in the garden, bring drinks and breakfast sometimes. The studio has a warm and positive vibe. Everyone’s there for the same reason. No drama and everyone wants to help each other.
Cons:
–There are many different types of wheels which can get confusing if you’re just starting out or came from another facility.
–You really have to come with your own supplies. Not much is provided for you in the way of molds, decorating devices, tools, etc.
–There isn’t much room to work and hand build and the slab roller is always covered with junk. This was particularly upsetting to me as I typically incorporate a lot of hand built elements in my wheel thrown work.
–There’s a limited amount of open studio time for enrolled students, in my opinion. Clayworks is closed on Sunday. I never understood that.
–Shelf space rentals can get expensive. You pay by the month and you’ve really got to be in there consistently to make it worth your dollar.
–The studio is also a little out of the way and hard to get to if you don’t have a car. Expect to hop on the B71 to Red Hook. That’s pretty much the only way unless you like to hoof it from the F train at Carroll St.
I enjoyed my time at Clayworks. I made some friends, had a wonderful time but in the end I decided to leave to no fault of Clayworks. I just don’t think it was for me but that’s not to say it won’t be for you, however. I would make the recommendation if someone asked my opinion. I would say, «try it out and see if you like it. I did, but moved on. No harm. No fowl.»