Tucson Clay Co-op

You cannot get a better value ceramic class than here. Open studio hours are included which is usually something you’d have to pay for per hour at other places. I love coming here to practice throwing on the wheel even if I don’t finish all my projects. It’s the process of making art that’s fun! Also, it’s relaxing and the people are so friendly! They will gladly help you if you have any questions and it’s a great learning environment– everyone has their own techniques and experiences to share!

I imagine this place would work for you if you are an artist looking for workshop space, however they fail miserably at doing youth oriented pottery classes. Our instructor chastised and shamed the kids and parents from day one of the class as though people who are taking a pottery class are supposed to walk in with years of reference.
The place is small and they had packed the classes so full there was no room, to make matters worse there were always other groups coming in and out so it was just dirty and chaotic.
On one evening their director came in and lectured our teacher and the students about not cleaning up, taking about 15 minutes away from what little ineffective instruction time we were given. Meanwhile there were other people using the studio not cleaning up at all.
The place was such a chaotic, disorganized mess with such rude empolyee/​teachers/​coowners that one family group left 2 weeks early in frustration.
They lost and or broke all but of of our pieces of the 4 week class and forgot to fire the pieces for weeks so they cracked. We ended up taking unfired pieces home because we made them on week 2 and 4 wks later they had never been fired.
What a joke and complete waste of money.

I’ve been coming here for beginner pottery classes on Tuesday evenings. I LOVE IT!!! Our instructor, Catherine is very knowledgeable, patient and an overall great teacher. It is also open to the public Monday & Wednesday Noon to 3pm, Saturday and Sunday Noon to 4 pm when I can squeeze in additional practice sessions.
The price for an 8 week class was approximately $ 105 plus $ 25 for new clay. This can be paid online at their website. Well worth it.
There are several skills to acquire, so many of the participants have enrolled in the beginner class multiple times. Whether you are a repeat beginner or a true beginner, you will be welcomed right in and will have a great time learning how to throw and glaze beautiful pieces.

This little co-​op is pretty cute. They always have beginner classes starting, so you can pop in and pay a nominal fee to learn how to handbuild or use the wheel. Some of the instructors, as I kind of expected, are a little too «easy breezy»…they give you a lot of free reign, when you may need more actual instruction. Sometimes I felt like everyone else knew what they were doing… and were off and running… so I just paid attention to what everyone else was doing and followed the ‘fake it till you make it’ mantra. I eventually figured things out and felt like I belonged, but I could see how beginners would feel a little lost their first few sessions. Additional free time on the wheel is included with your class price, so you can go on the weekend and practice a little more. I liked that option. In the end, I had a few «elegantly undone» pieces to call my own. Glad I did it and would recommend this place to a friend. Just don’t go during monsoon season. They only have a swamp cooler… and none of the windows open.

Tucson Clay Co-​op is a great organization. It’s accessible in so many ways. I always wanted to take ceramic classes but could never afford it or schedule it into my busy week. I saw a flyer for the co-​op and decided to give it a chance. After one class I was hooked! Not only is clay fun to play with but the people at the co-​op are amazing! I’ve learned so much from my instructors and fellow artists. Also the range of class hours made scheduling in a class easy. I work a 9 to 5 job so snow bird/​retiree hours don’t work for me. I highly recommend checking out this great place no matter your age or level of experience. They have classes for kids too.