Monthly First Fridays
Join Clayworks on the first Friday of each month to see our campus in action! Stop in from 5:30-8:30pm to shop the Clayworks Gallery, receive a tour of our facility, and observe studio artists and live demonstrations. Each of our classrooms will also be full of excitement as we lead wheel, handbuilding, and raku workshops. Check out details below to register for a workshop.
May First Friday Workshops
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Friday, May 2, 6-8pm
Ages: 18+ unless stated otherwise
Tuition: $60 per person
Please allow 3 weeks for the projects to be completed.
Ever want to learn to throw on the potter's wheel but cannot commit to a class? In this 2-hour workshop, a Clayworks teaching artist will teach you the basics of wheel throwing. Toward the end of the workshop, you choose your favorite pieces and the glaze color they will be finished in. We will take care of the drying and firing of your pots. Attend alone, or bring a friend, family member, or a date! Your pottery will be food, dishwasher and microwave safe.
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Friday, May 2, 6-8pm
Ages: 18+
Tuition: $72 per person
Join us at Clayworks for RAKU firing! In this hands-on workshop, participants will receive a piece of hand thrown bisque ware to glaze and fire* that will be yours. Teaching artist Greg Scott will lead participants through the glazing and outdoor Raku firing processes. Your pots will be ready to take home that day. Close toe shoes are a must.
*You may bring your own pot to fire. Limit the size of bisque piece to no taller than 10" and no wider than 6". Only one piece per person.
PLEASE NOTE: This workshop takes place outdoors and is contingent on appropriate weather. In the event that the class is rained out, Clayworks will be in touch no later than two hours before the session. Participants in cancelled classes will be issued a full refund.
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Friday, May 2, 6-8pm
Ages: 5+; All children must be accompanied by a registered adult
Tuition: $54 per child, $60 per adult
Join us May 2nd, 6-8pm for our First Friday Clay Critter Workshop where instructor Becky Story will guide participants through the process of creating their very own clay owl. Transform a simple chunk of mud into a charming ceramic creature with personalized details and creative flair. Not an owl fan? No problem—Becky can easily show you how to shape your clay into an adorable cat or dog instead! Your fired, glazed owl will be available for pickup 3 weeks after the workshop.
Gallery Shopping, Studio Tours, and Live Demonstrations
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Explore the creative heart of Clayworks during our First Friday artist-led tours, where you'll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our studios, kilns, and gallery spaces. Meet our talented resident artists as they demonstrate techniques and share insights about their unique ceramic processes in our top-quality facilities. Whether you're a pottery enthusiast or simply curious about clay arts, these monthly tours offer a perfect opportunity to connect with Charlotte's vibrant ceramic arts community and discover the magic that happens when creativity meets clay.
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Shop our gallery during First Friday events to discover one-of-a-kind pottery handcrafted by Clayworks' talented studio artists and instructors. Whether you are looking for a gift for a loved one or the perfect piece for your own space, our gallery is stocked with functional and sculptural works that will be a perfect choice. Your purchases not only bring beauty into your life but also directly supports local artists and helps further our nonprofit mission to engage, enrich, and inspire diverse populations through the celebration of ceramic arts.
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Watch clay transform through fire during our First Friday raku demonstrations, where you'll see pots glowing red-hot as they're pulled from the kiln and plunged into containers filled with combustible materials. The flames, smoke, and dramatic temperature changes create stunning metallic finishes and crackle patterns that make each piece truly one-of-a-kind.