Working with wet clay is a great way to relax and get creative. You can make a coffee mug or learn to throw on a wheel, and a good studio makes both easy.

Our area has plenty of friendly studios for every skill level. Here’s my list of the best places to take a pottery class in Phoenix.

Craving more creative projects? Theseworkshops in Phoenix are worth a look too.

Session Type	Average Cost (USD)	What Is Included
Single Workshop / Intro Class	$35 – $60 per person	Clay, basic instruction, trim, and firing
Multi-Week Course	$250 – $450+ per course	Full instruction, wheel access, glazes, and open studio time
Paint-Your-Own Pottery	$10 studio fee + piece ($18 – $35)	Ceramic piece, non-toxic glazes, and final firing

1. PIP Coffee + Clay

Website: http://pipcoffeeclay.com/

Address: 2617 N 24th St, AZ 85008

Contact: 480-616-0004

Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM | Saturday, 8:30 AM – 7:30 PM | Sunday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

PIP Coffee + Clay is a cozy cafe and pottery studio rolled into one. You can sip a local espresso while you shape your first bowl on the wheel. This sets a relaxed mood from the start.

On top of that, the instructors are patient, so beginners never feel rushed. Wheel throwing feels doable even if you’ve never touched clay.

Groups are in good hands too, since they host private parties for adult birthdays and team outings. That makes it an easy pick for a fun night out.

That said, parking is the one snag. The tiny lot fills up fast on busy weekends and afternoons, so plan to arrive early.

Customer Reviews

Fun experience

PIP Coffee and Clay was such a cute spot. We came for our work holiday party for the beginners pottery class. You can come earlier to grab some coffee, treats, or alcoholic drinks!

Our instructor was Chandler and he was amazing! He was very helpful and guided us through the entire process during the class. Some of us were more successful st pottery than others but it was a fun experience that we’d definitely do again! Can’t wait to see how our pieces turned out after the glazing!

Ninorta Kasso | Google Review

Patient teacher

I took a beginner class with a friend.

Katie was a patient teacher who gave us all confidence and helped up create two small pieces.

This pottery class was fun activity for a free afternoon. I would definitely attend again.

Jessica Holmes | Google Review

2. Sunshine Sunflower

Website: https://www.sunshinesunflower.com/

Address: 700 W Campbell Ave, #3, AZ 85013

Contact: 352-601-6084

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Saturday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sunday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Sunshine Sunflower is a bright, welcoming studio in Midtown with plenty of creative variety. Students can try wheel throwing, clay sculpting, and glass mosaics all in one place.

Better yet, the owner teams up with local makers to shape the workshops. That keeps the lineup fresh. Plus, it’s a fun stop if you’re exploring art classes in Phoenix beyond pottery.

Meanwhile, experienced potters can use open studio hours for personal projects. 

Families are covered too, thanks to the kids’ birthday packages.

Just keep the schedule in mind, though. They’re closed on Mondays and Fridays and open late on weekdays, so you’ll want to plan ahead.

Customer Reviews

So much fun

The owners are knowledgeable and patient, I have taken my kids here for classes, for paint your own piece (choose a premade piece for them to finish) and for my own pottery wheel class and they’re all been super informative and so much fun. Highly recommend this studio for anyone from total newbie to experienced artist, they have all you need. I am looking forward to open studio hours and more classes in the future.

Elizabeth James | Google Review

Super fun

My girlfriend got us the beginner wheel class for Christmas; what a fun time! They really do a great job helping beginners try to actually MAKE something; highly recommended. You get two hours to make stuff on the wheel, then they fire it, you come back and glaze it, then they fire it again and you take it home.

Super fun, and the people there were amazing. Try it out!

Wayne Turner | Google Review

3. Desert Dragon Pottery

Website: https://desertdragonpottery.com/

Address: 25037 N 17th Ave, AZ 85085

Contact: 602-690-6956

Hours: Wednesday, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Thursday, 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Friday, 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Saturday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Desert Dragon Pottery is a tight-knit North Phoenix studio for ceramic makers. Their multi-session classes walk you through every step, from shaping on the wheel to glazing the finished piece.

Once you’re hooked, experienced potters can join a monthly studio membership for full access. That gives them a steady place to keep improving their skills. 

Members also get digital handouts and video tutorials.

I particularly like that newcomers have an easy way in. The monthly open house events are a relaxed way to meet the community before you sign up for a class.

Where they fall short is the schedule. Classes run only Wednesday to Saturday, so Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are off the table.

Customer Reviews

Can’t say enough good things about EVERYONE there.

I always look forward to my weekly pottery class! Anita is amazing at what she does and an outstanding instructor. She keeps it real, while also making it a fun experience, she wants you to learn to do pottery the RIGHT way. I love the community and everyone else there aswell. Pots get fired in a very reasonable time, its like Christmas after you’ve glazed and gotten your piece back! Can’t say enough good things about EVERYONE there.. I’ve found a new passion thanks to them. Great!

Whitley Morris | Google Review

Signed up for more sessions

I have always wanted to try throwing pottery. My daughter got me a certificate to a half hour class at Desert Dragon Pottery. I signed up for a 1/2 hour mini pottery wheel class. By the end of the class, I had a functional bowl. I knew I was hooked on clayI I signed up for 6 more hour long sessions. Each session included all clay, return session for glazing and firing. Mishy and Anita are patient and extremely knowledgeable instructors. The studio is truly a creative space with a casual vibe, but seriously amazing pieces are made there!

Angie Mozilo | Google Review

4. VanGo Pottery

Website: https://vangopottery.wixsite.com/website

Address: Mobile Studio, #2222, AZ 85016

Contact: [email protected] 

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Sunday, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

VanGo Pottery is Arizona’s original mobile studio, so they bring the fun straight to you. That makes planning for groups across the Phoenix area much easier.

From there, you can choose clay handbuilding or pottery painting at the venue you pick. Glass fusing is an option too. 

The instructors arrive with non-toxic paints and sculpting tools. Protective supplies come along as well.

This setup suits home birthday parties and corporate events. Once the session wraps up, the team takes your pieces to their private studio to bisque-fire and glaze them. After which they deliver them to you.

Here’s the catch, though. You need your own private venue or event space, since they don’t run a storefront for drop-in visits.

5. Phoenix Center for the Arts

Website: https://phoenixcenterforthearts.org/class/ceramics/

Address: 1202 N 3rd St, AZ 85004

Contact: 602-254-3100

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Sunday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Phoenix Center for the Arts is a lively community art center downtown. Their ceramics classes cover wheel throwing, handbuilding, and open studio time across two Valley campuses, with evening hours that suit busy schedules.

To start, the introductory courses are a great way to find a hidden talent. Studio wheels, kilns, and sculpting tools are all provided, so you don’t need to bring anything.

Once you’ve got the basics down, experienced ceramic artists can reserve open studio space for personal projects. That saves you from buying expensive equipment of your own.

Festival season is when things get tricky, however. Traffic and parking get hectic during big events at nearby Margaret T. Hance Park.

Customer Reviews

Well worth it

A long list of art, dance, and other classes for adults and youth! The teachers really know their craft so you’ll feel in good hands whether you take a beginners course in pottery or an advanced glass blowing class. I, for one, adore the painting classes. It’s a stress reliever and a really fun time! The classes are in block schedules so you pay for the entire “semester”. It’s well worth it when you break down the cost per class. Most classes also offer supplies in the class cost. Make sure to inquire though.

Yana Alex | Google Review

You are able to take classes on almost every form of art

Amazing facilities for Art. You are able to take classes on almost every form of art, from drawing, painting, printing, pottery, metals, dance, drama, yoga. One stop shopping for everything you need regarding the Arts!

Todd Brown | Google Review