Classes

TRY-IT WHEEL

Experience Wheel Throwing! Join us, from 6 pm to 8 pm, for a
2-hour crash course in this muddy process. Class is $55.00 per person, and includes all clay, instruction in wheel throwing techniques, and glazing and firing services. Your finished pieces will be ready for pickup in 2-3 weeks. Open to ages 16 and up, no matter your experience level.

1-10 | 1-24 | 2-7 | 2-21| 3-7 | 3-21 | 4-11 | 4-25 | 5-2
5-16| 5-23 | 6-6 | 6-20 | 7-11 | 7-25 | 8-1 | 8-15 | 8-29
9-12 | 9-26 | 10-10 | 10-24 | 11-7 | 11-21 | 12-5 | 12-19
All dates are for 2025.
Limited to eight students

ADULT WHEEL THROWING

Unleash your creativity in our adult wheel throwing classes,
open to anyone ages 16 and up! Learn a variety of pottery wheel techniques during our 8-week session. All students receive one 25 lb. bag of clay, with all glazes and firings included. Unlimited studio time available all week long from 7 am to 11 pm, so you
can practice and refine your pottery skills at your convenience.
Our classes are open to all skill levels. Just choose the class that fits your schedule best and let the artistic adventure begin! 

Limited to eight students.

MONDAY WHEEL THROWING

Section 1: Mondays, March 31 - May 19, 9:30-11:30 am | $295
Section 2: Mondays, March 31 - May 19, 6:30-8:30 pm | $295

TUESDAY WHEEL THROWING 

Section 1: Tuesdays, April 1 - May 20, 9:30-11:30 am | $295

WEDNESDAY WHEEL THROWING

Section 1: Wednesdays, April 2 - May 21, 9:30-11:30 am | $295
Section 2: Wednesdays, April 2 - May 21, 1:00pm-3:00 pm | $295
Section 3: Wednesdays, April 2 - May 21, 6:30-8:30 pm | $295

THURSDAY WHEEL THROWING 

Section 1: Thursdays, April 3 - May 22, 9:30-11:30 am | $295
Section 2: Thursdays, April 3 - May 22, 1:00-3:00 pm | $295
Section 3: Thursdays, April 3 - May 22, 6:30-8:30 pm | $295

ADULT HAND BUILDING

Adults ages 16 and up! Explore the world of pottery in our exciting 8-week hand building class, including all materials and studio time. During our eight week session. You'll immerse yourself
in pitching, slab, and coil building techniques. All students will receive one 25 lb. bag of clay, with all glazes and firings included. Unlimited studio time available all week long from 7 am to 11 pm, so you can practice and refine your pottery skills at your convenience. Our classes are open to all skill levels.
Just choose the class that fits your schedule best and let the artistic adventure begin!

Limited to six students.

Section 1: Mondays, March 31 - May 19, 1:00-3:00 pm | $295
Section 2: Tuesdays, April 1 - May 20, 6:30-8:30 pm | $295

ADULT STUDY HALL

Our adult study hall welcomes anyone with at least 16 weeks of experience at ClaySpaceTC or equivalent over the last 2 years. You will participate in eight 3-hour sessions during our session, with 30 minutes of instruction per session, while the rest of the time is used to work at your own pace. Every student gets one 25 lb. bag of clay, and all glazes and firings are included. Plus, enjoy unlimited studio time from 7 am to 11 pm every day to practice and refine your pottery skills at your convenience.

Limited to eight wheel students.

Limit to six hand building students.

Section 1: Tuesday Wheel Throwing | $250
April 1 - May 20 6:00-9:00 pm
Section 2:  Wednesday Hand Building | $250
April 9 - May 14 6:00-9:00 pm

TEENAGE CERAMICS

JJoin our open studio pottery class. Learn wheel throwing (limit 10) or handbuilding with clay, glazes, and firings included.
EIGHT 2-hour classes, 4 guided lessons and 4 individual focused open studio days. 

Limited to 10 students.

Section 1: Wednesdays, April 2 - May 21, 4:00-6:15 pm | $225

YOUTH CERAMICS

Get ready for an exciting adventure in Kids Ceramics!
This awesome program costs $185 per student and includes six weeks of fun and creative 1.5-hour classes. Perfect for kids aged 7 to 12 years old, no previous experience is required! Each class is specially designed to nurture your artistic talents and make pottery a blast. 

Limited to six students per class.

Youth Ceramic Exposure
Students will experience three weeks of wheel throwing and two weeks of hand building and finish with one week of glazing.

Section 1: Monday 7-9 year olds, | $185
April 7 - May 12, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm
Section 2: Thursday 10-12 year olds | $185
April 10 - May 15, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm  

Youth Wheel Throwing Limited to eight students.
Students will experience six sessions of wheel throwing and one glazing day

Section 1: Tuesday 9-12 year olds | $185
April 8 - May 13, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm

Tots N Pots

A fantastic class for young artists aged 3 to 6! Join us for six weeks of fun, with 45-minute sessions at just $100 per student. No experience needed, but an adult presence is required, this is not a build along experience.

Limited to six students per section. 

Section 1: Wednesdays April 9 - May 14, 10:00-10:45 am | $100

OPEN STUDIO MEMBERSHIP

OPEN STUDIO POLICIES & GUIDELINES

• Studio accessible from 7 am to 11 pm during non-class hours (class hours specified on studio calendar).

• No instruction available for studio members.

• Open studio users must have substantial pottery experience or completed at least 2 sessions at ClayspaceTC.

• An orientation will be scheduled to familiarize each studio member with ClaySpaceTC.

• NO OUTSIDE CLAY BODIES.

MONTH-TO-MONTH

• Register in advance.

• Price: $150 per month for studio space, includes a storage shelf, and access to all tools and equipment at ClaySpaceTC.

• You can choose your own start date.

• Pay an extra $95 for 25# of clay, including firing and glazes.

• Monthly payment due every 30 calendar days, starting from your first day.

WEEK-TO-WEEK

• Register in advance.

• Price: $100 per week for studio space, includes a storage shelf, and access to all tools and equipment at ClaySpaceTC.

• You can choose your own start date.

• Pay an extra $95 for 25# of clay or $50 for 12.5# of clay, including firing and glazes.

• Payment due every 7 studio work days, starting from your first day. A week is defined as 7 days over a 30-day period.

DAY PASS

• Register in advance.

• Price: $50 for one day of studio time (9 am-9 pm), includes access to all tools and equipment at ClaySpaceTC.

• Pay an additional $50 for 12.5# of clay or $95 for 25# of clay, including firing and glazes.

• We can assist with shipping pottery as needed, with shipping costs paid by the potter.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Explore handbuilding in our monthly Community Clay classes, now hosted at Commongrounds Cooperative! Ideal for all ages – families, friends, individuals, and couples. Kids 5 and up can create on their own, under 5 need an adult to register too. Let's create beautiful pottery together!

Explore handbuilding in our monthly Community Clay class, now at Commongrounds Cooperative! Ideal for all ages – families, friends, individuals, and couples. Kids 5 and up can create on their own, under 5 need an adult to register too. Let's create beautiful pottery together!

FLOWER FROG: SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 10AM-12PM | $15.00

Your two part flower frog built from a cylinder and a sculpted lid. We will be building with flat pieces of clay. To give your frog personality lets sculpt everything from nose to toes. And of course, we'll finish it off with a cool custom paint job.

TRINKET BOX: SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 10AM-12PM | $15.00

What do you do after a winter of collecting small things? You build your very own trinket box to hold all the small things. Your box will built from a slab of clay shaped into a box. You will create a lid and custom handle. And of course, we'll finish it off with a cool custom paint job.

CLAY FLOWERS: SATURDAY, MAY 17, 10AM-12PM | $15.00

Bring the beauty of a spring inside early! We will be building a bouquet of 3 to 5 flowers. Your flowers start with shaping a pistil then you adding pedals one at a time. You will  finish off your flowers  with a color spring custom paint job.

INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOPS

To book your workshop, click through the button below.
This secures your preferred date and time. We'll work together to find a date that suits your needs or a refund can be issued.

Dates: March 22 March 23 AM only | April 12 PM only
April 13 AM only | April 26 | April 27 | May 3 | May 4
May 17 PM only | May 18 | June 7 | June 8 | June 21 PM only
June 22 | July 12 PM only | July 13 | July 27 | August 2 | August 3
August 16 PM only | August 17

Times: 8:00a-10:00a | 10:00a-12:00p | 1:00p-3:00p
3:00p-5:00p | 5:00p-7:00p

Individual Workshops

Discover the joy of creating your own pottery masterpiece in our Individual Workshops! Whether you're into hand building or wheel throwing, we've got you covered. The cost is $60 per person for adults (over 17 years old), $50 per person for teenagers (13 to 16 years old), and just $40 per person for kids (under 12 years old). Each workshop is 1.5 hours long and can accommodate up to 5 participants.

Lessons also available in a 6 class set.

*Cost of the workshop plus $100.00 for custom dates

GROUP EVENTS

To book your workshop, click through the button below.
This secures your preferred date and time. We'll work together to find a date that suits your group or a refund can be issued.

Dates: March 22 March 23 AM only | April 12 PM only
April 13 AM only | April 26 | April 27 | May 3 | May 4
May 17 PM only | May 18 | June 7 | June 8 | June 21 PM only
June 22 | July 12 PM only | July 13 | July 27 | August 2 | August 3
August 16 PM only | August 17

Times: 8:00a-10:00a | 10:00a-12:00p | 1:00p-3:00p
3:00p-5:00p | 5:00p-7:00p

Private Parties

Whether you're a group of kids or adults, this is the perfect choice for an awesome party. You can pick between a hand building project or a wheel throwing experience. It's only $250 for a 2-hour workshop for up to 12 participants, and just $15 per person after 12.

Company Parties

Get ready for a unique and exciting experience with our Company Parties! You can choose between hand building or wheel throwing, and it's perfect for clay building and team building all in one! Everyone on your team will have a blast creating their own masterpieces and connecting with their creativity and each other.

Our events start at $300, or if you prefer, we can bring ClaySpaceTC to your place starting at $350. Each workshop is 2 hours long and can accommodate up to 12 participants, with just $15 per person after 12.

*Cost of the workshop plus $100.00 for custom dates

SPECIAL EVENTS

STUDIO EVENTS

Fiber and Clay with Dancingmoon Gourds
Building Day March 22 | 1pm-3pm
Weaving Day April 12 | 1pm-3pm
Join us for a fun adventure mixing fiber arts and weaving with ceramics! Artist Diane Brandt from Dancingmoon Gourds is
coming to the studio to teach you how to add weaving to your
clay creations. This special two-day workshop includes a 2-hour clay-building class and a 2-hour weaving class.
$35.00 for current students | $100.00 for non students.

SUNDAY FUNDAY

This class will take place at different locations throughout northwest Michigan. We will be creating different ceramic pieces at each location. Your class will include all materials, instructions and one beverage. After completion of each project  ClaySpaceTC will fire and glaze each project, then return it to your location.
This class is open to any participant over 21 years of age.
2:00pm - 4:00pm | $50.00 Per Participant

The Little Fleet: Taco Trays | March 9
Make taco holders that stand up tall! Start with three flat pieces of clay, then add textures, stamps, and little sculpted details. Next, fold each piece of clay  over a simple mold to create the perfect bends for holding tacos. Finally, paint your trays with bright colors to show off your unique style and creativity!

Short's Brewing: Beer Mug | March 23
We’re going to make classic beer mugs inspired by the forest! You’ll start by using a slab of clay to form the body and base, then create a handle using a shaped clay coil. Each person will get to make their mug unique by adding textures, stamps, and bright paint. Feel free to bring bark, leaves, or any forest-inspired items to press into your mug and make a one-of-a-kind design! Finally, you’ll paint your mug with bright colors to make it one-of-a-kind.

Five Shores Brewing: Beer Mug | April 13
We’re going to make classic beer mugs inspired by lakes and the water! You’ll use a slab of clay to shape the body and base, and then form the handle with a coiled piece of clay. Each person will get to make their mug unique by adding textures and designs. You can bring items that remind you of water, like rocks or driftwood to press into your mug. We’ll also have sand for adding texture. Finally, you’ll paint your mug with bright colors to make it one-of-a-kind.   

STUDENT Gallery

About ClaySpaceTC

ClaySpaceTC has been spinning and grinning since January of 2019. Founders Phil Wilson and Clay Maas began working together in the ceramics program of the former Blackbird Arts, which was located in the building that is now ClaySpaceTC. Both Phil and Clay are teachers and program developers, and they collectively bring decades of ceramics experience to the table (and to the wheel!).

ClaySpace is a community ceramics education studio that offers classes, private lessons, and workshops for both children and adults. The studio features six pottery wheels, a workspace for handbuilding, and a Skutt electric kiln. ClaySpaceTC also offers introductory and themed workshops that take place in gathering spaces throughout the community and are open to folks of all ages and experience levels. Classes are student-driven, with Phil and Clay providing instruction and guidance as students establish their goals, develop their projects, and design their own ceramics. 

At ClaySpaceTC, we encourage all students to run with their ideas and, together with their classmates, to think big and create boldly. Collectively, we’re all teachers and students who gather to fill the studio with creativity, passion, excitement and the relaxation that only the quiet beauty of clay can create. Join us — we can’t wait to welcome you to the ClaySpaceTC community!

Phil Wilson

For 35 years, I’ve worked with porcelain as a studio potter, developing functional and decorative pottery with an emphasis on contemporary design and elegant utility. Each piece is handmade, one at a time. I’m hoping you’ll discover lots of ways to enjoy each piece: displayed with a group of favorite things on the mantel, as a familiar part of your everyday breakfast table, or surrounded by a riot of flowers and food in a party buffet.

Clay Maas

Hi, I'm Clay and I'm the co-owner of ClaySpaceTC. My passion for ceramics sparked during my final year of college and that passion has been burning ever since. I grew up in a small Ohio town and I now reside in Traverse City with my wife, Emily, and our buoyant doodle Lincoln (who is also the mascot of ClaySpaceTC). I love ClaySpaceTC because it allows me to grow every day and share my love of ceramics with others.

Additionally, I utilize my graphic design background to serve clients all over the state and I have a lot of experience with letterpress. All of these different mediums keep my brain running at full speed. To cool down and refocus, a good round of golf keeps me in the moment, out of my own head, and ready to tackle the next big thing!

Contact

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations made 5 days or more in advance of the Class date will receive a 100% refund. Cancellations made more than 2 days in advance of class will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours of class will not not receive a refund.

Visiting Arist Workshops

ClaySpaceTC is welcoming five visiting artists over the winter months. Each artist will bring their own style and experience to the studio. The lectures and demonstrations are for all skill levels. The Saturday workshops require an intermediate to advanced level of ceramic skill.

Lecture and demonstration on Friday evening from 6pm-8pm. FREE
Full day workshop, Saturday 10am- 2pm ish. $75.oo per person $50.00 for Current Students both CSTC or College. Max of 8 participants

Chris Baskin

February 8th

Chris Baskin is an artist, educator and potter who makes ceramics for utilitarian, aesthetic, and contemplative purposes. His work is exhibited nationally and internationally. He completed a Master of Fine Arts degree at Alfred University in New York in 1995, and a Master of Divinity Degree in 1991.

Chris worked as a resident artist at Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, Montana, and helped to recreate and revitalize the ceramics program at the Byrdcliffe Arts Colony in Woodstock, New York. In 2016 he was nominated for the Janet Mansfield Memorial Award for his soda firing by the (ICMEA), International Ceramic Magazine Editors Association. In 2017 he was awarded an Oregon Arts Commission grant for a residency at the FuLe International Ceramic Art Museum Complex in Shaanxi Province, China.

He received a Studio Potter Grant for Apprenticeship, along with his mentee in 2021. He served as the Content Coordinator for the Northwest Wood Firing Conference held in Newburg, Oregon in 2022. In 2023, Chris presented at the  National Conference on Education and the Ceramic Arts on a panel titled Nature/Nurture: Ceramic Community as a Lab for Self Awareness.

Chris has taught ceramics at numerous universities including James Madison, Northern Arizona, Eastern Michigan University, University of Louisville, and Whitworth University, Spokane.  He lives in Inner Southeast Portland, Oregon with his wife Emily - also an artist, and their    Australian Shepherd, Zuli.

Instagram: @chrisbaskinpottery | Website: www.chrisbaskin.com