Business Details
16 Years
experience
Pottery Classes & Workshops in Sparks Glencoe
At New Phoenix Pottery, we are dedicated to fostering creativity and community through the art of ceramics. Established with a passion for clay's therapeutic and functional qualities, our studio provides a welcoming environment where individuals of all skill levels can explore pottery. Our experienced instructors combine technical expertise with a commitment to nurturing artistic expression, offering structured classes and open studio access. We prioritize hands-on learning, using high-quality materials and glazes to ensure both educational value and creative freedom.With over 15 years of experience, our team has cultivated a space where students develop technical skills while forming meaningful connections. Our curriculum spans beginner workshops to advanced techniques, emphasizing craftsmanship, innovation, and the joy of collaborative creation. We maintain rigorous standards for studio safety and accessibility, ensuring a comfortable experience for all ages. Through personalized instruction and community-focused programming, we aim to make pottery an accessible and transformative art form for future generations.
Services
Pottery Classes
Wheel-Throwing
Handbuilding
Glazing Workshops
Studio Memberships
Gift Certificates
Kids Programs
Date Night Sessions
Holiday Workshops
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer 15+ years of specialized pottery instruction experience
- Our instructors hold advanced degrees in ceramics and education
- We provide structured curriculum with clear learning outcomes
- We maintain professional-grade studio equipment and materials
- We offer flexible class formats for all age groups and skill levels
Services
Pottery Classes
Our pottery classes provide comprehensive instruction in wheel-throwing and handbuilding techniques. Students learn proper form, glazing methods, and firing processes while creating functional or decorative pieces. With options for all skill levels, our structured curriculum emphasizes technical proficiency and creative exploration in a supportive studio environment.
Workshops
Holiday-themed and seasonal workshops focus on specific projects like raku firing, ornament making, and platter creation. These hands-on sessions include all materials and tools, with expert guidance for completing finished pieces. Participants learn surface decoration techniques and functional design principles while creating holiday-ready ceramic works.
Studio Memberships
Members gain access to professional-grade pottery equipment during designated open studio hours. This includes wheel stations, clay materials, and glazing supplies. Members receive ongoing technical support while developing independent projects in a collaborative creative space that fosters artistic growth and community connections.
Kids Programs
Four-week youth programs teach children fundamental pottery techniques through pinch, slab, and coil methods. Instructors guide students through creating functional and decorative pieces while emphasizing creative expression and technical skill development. Classes include all materials and firing services for completing personalized ceramic projects.
Date Night Sessions
Guided date night experiences offer couples hands-on pottery instruction for creating collaborative pieces. These sessions include wheel-throwing instruction, glazing options, and firing services. Participants learn basic techniques while enjoying a creative alternative to traditional date activities in a relaxed, social studio environment.
People
Christine Williams
Owner & Instructor
Christine Williams, a Maryland Institute College of Art graduate, has owned New Phoenix Pottery for 15 years. She specializes in functional pottery and emphasizes clay's therapeutic benefits, sharing her expertise through personalized instruction while balancing family life as a grandmother.
Lynne Molner
Instructor
Lynne Molner holds two master's degrees and brings 30+ years of teaching experience. Her curriculum focuses on craftsmanship fundamentals while encouraging creative exploration. She transitioned from Baltimore Clayworks to become a prominent figure in the regional ceramic community.
Charlene Randolph
Instructor
Charlene Randolph, with a Master's in Ceramics from Hood College, has taught pottery for 27 years. An award-winning artist featured in trade magazines, she combines technical expertise with creative freedom, guiding students through proper form while encouraging artistic experimentation.
Stephanie Imbierowicz
Instructor
Stephanie Imbierowicz, a Salisbury University Fine Art graduate, creates expressive sculptural work exploring subconscious themes. She fosters a safe, creative environment where students of all ages can develop technical skills while expressing personal narratives through clay.
Luke Gibson
Instructor
Luke Gibson transitioned from a 20-year marketing career to pottery during the pandemic. He developed expertise through intensive self-study and now creates functional art pieces. His teaching approach emphasizes accessibility, helping newcomers discover the joy of pottery through hands-on instruction.
Questions
What types of pottery classes do you offer?
We offer wheel-throwing, handbuilding, and glazing classes for all skill levels, including beginner workshops, date night sessions, kids programs, and advanced technical courses.
Do you provide materials and firing services?
All classes include clay, tools, glazing, and firing services. Finished pieces are available for pickup 2-3 weeks after class completion.
Are there age requirements for classes?
Adult classes require participants to be 14-15+ years old. Kids programs accept younger children with parental supervision. Specific age requirements vary by class type.
Can I purchase a class as a gift?
Yes, we offer gift certificates that allow recipients to choose from available classes based on their schedule and skill level preferences.
Do you offer studio memberships?
Studio memberships provide access to equipment during open hours. Members receive 25lb clay bags and can use facilities for independent projects with staff support.
Reviews (2)
A. S.
Apr 19, 2021
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If you come here for the $85 "Try It" class and you're not a studio member, staff will treat you like you're an inconvenience. One staff member was especially rude when a family member went to pick up my pottery after it was glazed and fired a month later. If you go to a class, make sure to bring exact change because they don't have a credit card machine.
Laurie Rosen
Sep 08, 2019
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New Phoenix Pottery has a great community of potters who love to make beautiful works in clay. The studio is well equipped for wheel throwing and hand-building techniques. I have been a member for one year.
