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Pottery Alley Pottery Alley
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Business Details
19 Years
experience
Pottery Classes and Workshops in Lafayette, LA
Pottery Alley has been Lafayette's premier community clay studio since 2007, founded by Ben Handley and Susannah Craig. Our mission is to provide accessible, high-quality pottery education through structured classes and workshops for all skill levels. With over 30 years of combined teaching experience, our instructors specialize in wheel-throwing and handbuilding techniques while fostering creative expression. We maintain a welcoming environment where students aged 12+ can progress from foundational skills to advanced artistic development. Our four-week monthly classes include comprehensive instruction, materials, and glazing services. The studio supports both casual participants and dedicated artists through flexible scheduling and personalized guidance.

Our team's diverse expertise ensures students receive technical instruction paired with creative mentorship. We emphasize process mastery over product creation, helping students understand clay's properties and firing processes. Community engagement remains central to our operations through seasonal camps, private parties, and collaborative projects. Our facility maintains professional-grade equipment and safety standards for optimal learning conditions. Regular class offerings allow sustained skill development unavailable in shorter workshops.
Services
Pottery Classes Workshops Day Camps Private Parties Wheel Throwing
Details
  • Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
  • We offer monthly pottery classes with sustained skill development
  • Our instructors have 30+ combined years of teaching experience
  • We provide all-inclusive pricing with materials included
  • We maintain professional-grade kilns and equipment
  • We offer age-appropriate programming from teens to adults
What people say
So much fun Great pottery studio Loved the hand building camp Had a BLAST Place to let go of stress
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Services
Monthly Classes
Four-week pottery courses focusing on wheel-throwing or handbuilding techniques. Students progress at their own pace through structured instruction covering clay preparation, forming techniques, and glazing. Classes meet weekly for three-hour sessions with professional guidance from experienced instructors.
Workshops
Specialized workshops concentrating on specific pottery techniques. These shorter programs allow focused exploration of particular methods like Raku firing or advanced glazing. Workshops provide concentrated instruction for skill enhancement in condensed formats.
Private Parties
Customizable pottery parties for birthdays and special occasions. Our staff coordinates group activities with personalized projects that create lasting mementos. Parties accommodate various group sizes with tailored instruction for participants of all skill levels.
Day Camps
Summer day camps introducing children to pottery fundamentals. Programs combine technical instruction with creative exploration through age-appropriate projects. Camps emphasize fun learning experiences while developing basic ceramic skills in supervised settings.
Wheel Throwing
Specialized instruction in wheel-throwing techniques from basic centering to advanced vessel forming. Courses cover essential skills including wedging, opening, pulling walls, and trimming. Students develop proficiency through progressive practice with professional guidance.
People
Susannah Craig
Studio Owner and Instructor
With over 20 years of pottery experience, Susannah combines technical expertise with creative passion. She focuses on making pottery accessible while maintaining artistic integrity in her instruction.
Ben Handley
Studio Owner
Co-founder with background in biology and geology. Manages studio operations and equipment maintenance while ensuring smooth administrative functioning. Brings scientific precision to ceramic processes.
Susan Chiquelin
Instructor
Specializes in wheel-throwing instruction with emphasis on joyful learning. Creates engaging classroom experiences that balance skill development with creative exploration for students of all levels.
Questions
What age requirements exist for classes?
Monthly classes require participants to be at least 12 years old. We offer separate youth programming for younger children through summer camps and special workshops.
What's included in the monthly class fee?
The $150 fee covers four 3-hour sessions, glazing materials, and firing costs. The $30 clay fee provides 25 pounds of clay sufficient for most projects.
Can I book a private party?
Yes, we host private parties for both children and adults. Our staff helps coordinate group sizes, project selection, and scheduling for special occasions.
Do you offer beginner workshops?
We provide introductory workshops as entry points to pottery, though our monthly classes offer more comprehensive skill development for new potters.
Reviews (2)
Danae
Jan 09, 2021 Report
I had the BEST experience! Its such a cool activity! I took a private lesson with my friend and the teacher was amazing! you make a few different pieces in one session. The ambiance of the place is adorable. I would SOOO recommend. If you are unsure just do it!
Jennifer Noel
Jul 03, 2020 Report
I took the beginner's class, Pottery for Dummies, and it was such a wonderful experience. I've never worked with clay before and the instructor was patient, helpful, and kind. I was able to make a few pieces during the class and look forward to picking them up in a few weeks after they glaze and cure them for me. If you are thinking about taking the class, do it!