Business Details
13 Years
experience
Creative Pottery Workshops in Sterling VA
Manna Pottery was founded in 2013 by Rezgar Mamandi, a full-time artist with over a decade of experience attending nationwide art festivals. Inspired by the ancient Mannaean civilization from his childhood home in Kurdistan, the business combines cultural heritage with modern creativity. We specialize in paint-your-own pottery workshops, handcrafted ceramic tiles, and customized art pieces that reflect individual expression. Our studio offers a welcoming environment for all ages, featuring pottery wheel sessions, hand-building classes, and private party events. With more than 250 art show participations and 40 awards, our expertise in ceramic arts is well-established.The physical store opened in February 2024, providing a dedicated space for community engagement and artistic development. Our team emphasizes patience and creativity, helping customers transform clay into lasting memories. The firing process ensures durable, high-quality results ready for pickup within 1-3 weeks. We maintain strict quality standards while offering flexible customization options for special occasions. Our commitment to artistic excellence and customer satisfaction makes Manna Pottery a unique destination for both casual visitors and serious artists.
Services
Paint Your Own Pottery
Pottery Workshops
Custom Ceramic Tiles
Party Rentals
Kids Summer Camps
Handbuilding Classes
Pottery Wheel Sessions
Art Gallery
Gift Customization
Tile Design
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We offer culturally inspired pottery techniques from the ancient Mannaean civilization
- Our founder has 10+ years of experience with 40+ art festival awards
- We provide both pottery wheel and hand-building workshops
- Custom tile design service with unlimited size/color options
- Private party rentals available for groups of 7-16 people
What people say
Best time
Relaxing atmosphere
Beautiful spirit
Gorgeous pieces
Kind and helpful
Services
Paint Your Own Pottery
Choose from hundreds of ceramic pieces to paint with our premium glazes and tools. Our studio provides all materials including brushes, stamps, and specialty paints. Finished pieces are fired in our kiln and ready for pickup in 1-2 weeks.
Pottery Workshops
Learn wheel-throwing or hand-building techniques from experienced instructors. Sessions include all materials and equipment with finished pieces available after 2-3 weeks of firing. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike.
Custom Ceramic Tiles
Create personalized wall art or home decor with hand-painted ceramic tiles. Choose any size, color, or design with expert guidance from our artists. Ideal for kitchen backsplashes, bathroom accents, or framed wall art.
Party Rentals
Host birthdays, corporate events, or family gatherings in our dedicated party room. Includes pottery painting for groups of 7-16 with options for wheel or hand-building workshops. Reservations require a $50 deposit.
Kids Summer Camps
Weekly pottery and ceramic art programs for children ages 5-14. Professional instructors guide creative projects that build artistic skills and confidence. Sessions include both wheel and hand-building techniques with finished pieces ready after firing.
People
Rezgar Mamandi
Founder
Award-winning ceramic artist with 10+ years of experience at national art festivals. Combines ancient Mannaean cultural influences with modern techniques to create unique pottery experiences. Founded Manna Pottery in 2013 after emigrating from Kurdistan.
Questions
What types of pottery can I paint?
We offer figures, dishes, mugs, bowls, boxes, and kitchenware. New pieces are added regularly to provide variety for different projects and skill levels.
How long does the firing process take?
Painted pieces require 1-2 weeks for firing and glazing. Custom tiles and hand-building projects take 2-3 weeks before pickup is available.
Can I bring my own design ideas?
Yes! We encourage personal creativity. Our artists can help incorporate your design concepts into ceramic pieces, including custom tile patterns and color schemes.
Are group discounts available?
Groups of 7-16 receive a flat rate of $287 for party room rental. Larger groups can arrange special accommodations by calling the studio directly.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes, we provide gift certificates for pottery sessions, workshops, and custom tile design services. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions.
Can I host a corporate event?
Corporate parties are welcome. Contact us directly to arrange team-building workshops with pottery wheel or hand-building sessions for professional groups.
Videos
Reviews (7)
FBarber
Nov 07, 2021
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I first encountered Manna Pottery at the Bethesda Art Fair. I rarely buy things at art fairs immediately and took a business card home with me to think about which of the many lovely pieces I might like for my home. I ordered a large plate to hang in my living room. It is distinctive but harmonizes beautifully with pieces I own from Iran and Turkey. It was a pleasure to deal with Rezgar. Unfortunately, the Post Office managed to break the plate I ordered in transit, but Rezgar replaced it promptly with another beautiful plate. I highly recommend this shop -- the work is beautiful and the artist
Lee M.
Nov 07, 2021
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Some of the most beautiful and useful art I own. And thoroughly enjoyed taking with the artist, which always makes a piece more enjoyable when you get it home.
Alison Albury
Oct 27, 2021
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We were at an upscale craft show last year and saw the work of Manna. Amazing detail and vibrant colors made every piece on display stand out! We purchased a large square dish plus a small matching bowl. We love this artwork. We use them, and also display these in our home. Alison A.
Kate Daly
Oct 22, 2021
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I love my Manna mug. I drink my tea from it every morning. It is not only lovely to look at; it is comfortable in my hand. And I like the gentleman who sells them. He it was who told me, When you can hold it in your hand for five seconds, it is the right temperature for drinking. And he was right.
K. Farrag
Feb 01, 2021
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Rezgar is truly a gifted and amazing artist! I have a collection of bowls, plates, tiles, and ornaments. Ordering on his website is easy, and I've always received items quickly and packaged well.
Laura
Sep 23, 2020
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I was introduced to Rezgar's work via a share on Facebook; I learned my friend first saw Manna Pottery at an art festival in Minnesota and found they had Kurdistan in common. I ordered two mugs (one for me and one for him) and was delighted to see his reaction, a combination of immediately recognizing the beautiful work and the surprise of holding a piece in his hands. I have since used my mug frequently for hot and cold beverages, and washing it in the dishwasher. I love the freehand traditional style and Turquoise glaze, and generous size. My friend's mug is the green glaze freehand design with
Dan Maguire
Aug 20, 2020
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Beautiful, unique pottery and jewelry at very reasonable prices. I've purchased from Manna several times and am always very happy with their products quality. Highly recommended.
