by Kristina Martin
In a digital-obsessed world, going the traditional route for connection and self-expression can be refreshing. That ceramics have maintained a spot in creative and social scenes is a testament to the good-for-your-soul energy you feel after a session whether at a school art program, homegrown operation or studio specializing in birthday parties (miss you, Brush Hour Cafe).
As the weather invites us to spend more time inside, we are spotlighting a handful of the region’s local pottery and ceramic spots to consider visiting when creativity strikes or when you’d like to catch up with a loved one.
In addition to summarizing the essentials about each studio, we also highlight some of the specialties so you may plan accordingly; some studio offerings go past the clay-centered lens into things such as canvas painting.
Note: The local spots that allow patrons to visit and paint ceramics have taken care of the initial work. Post-visit, your ceramic piece would then be kiln fired and made available for pickup on a later date. When we talk about “wheelthrowing” and “hand building,” for example, these terms relate to creations you’d generate from scratch – either via clay that’s centered and manipulated on a pottery wheel or material that’s shaped, stamped and customized, as you may have guessed, by hand. If you intend to attend a wheel-throwing or other activity, you will not want to wear your very best ensemble; these sessions likely will be messy and, as such, many studio owners offer guidance on their websites or elsewhere about pre-visit prep and attire.
Fireborn Studios
Fireborn Studios on the South Side is just the spot for hand-made goods that you may create – but also, those that you may give to a loved one. For hands-on types, two signature offerings at Fireborn are their classes, running for multiple weeks per session, and occasional workshops, generally lasting for a few hours.
This long-standing studio – the venture of longtime potters, instructors and gallery owners Daniel Vito and Donna Hetrick – is a prime place to either spark or refine skills. The basic-level class helps participants craft and glaze highly usable wares, as they’re exposed to the required steps in this process. And for those who wish to admire or snag the owners’ works, there’s the gallery at the 2338 Sarah St. space, as well as the option to purchase vases and other items, which make great presents and support local artists.
Kolor-N-Kiln
The Blackburns have been providing art-related advice and reasons to smile for years at their Robinson studio. Though the experience of dropping by, choosing a mug, bank or festive holiday decoration to paint in the studio is bar none, the Kolor-N-Kiln team has, since Covid-19 emerged, been providing take-home materials for patrons who’d like to paint their wares at home.
In all cases, whether the products are painted on-site or outside of the Mall at Robinson studio, customers must leave their ceramics with the experienced Kolor-N-Kiln team to be kiln fired and prepped for customer pickup. (Usually, items are ready within a week).
The team offers additional creative experiences, such as canvas painting (also available via walk-in), summer camps for youth and a private party room, where party throwers may choose the activity for the occasion.
Kiln-N-Time
Jazz up date night with a BYOB ceramic-painting or hand-building outing at Kiln-N-Time. Sandy Simon’s studio is a Lawrenceville mainstay, regularly operating from afternoon into evening but extending into later evening hours on select days.
Reservations for date nights and other sessions, such as a wheel-throwing lesson, may be made online; you’ll select the type of class, date and other details and have confirmation in a jiffy. Walk-ins to this art hub at 3801 Penn Ave. are accepted for select visit types, but booking a slot guarantees seating.
Aside from ceramics and clay-focused sessions, Simon, who herself is an artist, makes available other offerings, such as the ever-colorful and detail-focused glass-fusion classes and canvas-painting opportunities. Kiln-N-Time hosts sizable and intimate art-centered celebrations, as well, with prior planning.
Muddy Rose Pottery
Janelle Farrand is in her 16th year at Muddy Rose Pottery, her family-owned-and-operated business at 2475 Brodhead Road in Beaver County. Farrand’s by-appointment-only studio is just the spot for a boost of positivity with a dash of art; in between working with scheduled patron visits, she works on art alongside folks with special needs.
She schedules ceramics-painting, wheel-throwing classes and two-part private events. For the two-part events, groups oftentimes split the session into a pair of activities – half of the class will throw on the wheel, oftentimes starting with a bowl; the others will hand build a platter to their liking before switching sides.
Farrand, who draws from a combination of self-taught and class-based learning when working with clients, customizes her offerings. (If someone asks about frogs, for example, she would see about hand pouring a ceramic frog ahead of their visit so they may paint).
She also is big on giving back in various ways; this includes helping with fundraisers as well as hosting regular social events for women in the community.
Union Project
Union Project, a Highland Park spot for all things ceramics – open studios, workshops, studio memberships and more – has taken its show on the road. In addition to visiting the flagship site at 801 N. Negley Ave., where locals have convened for years, you may now find staffers roving around the city in the project’s mobile ceramics van.
The vehicle, which can be spotted at area events, transports a kiln, mobile wheel for throwing clay and more. Union Project previously spoke with NEXT – around the Wheel Mobile studio’s summertime debut – about how the mobile studio can help to increase art accessibility in Pittsburgh.
Kristina Martin has a background as a magazine editor, and she’s currently a freelancer. Her articles generally focus on lifestyle topics, including food, weddings, wellness — and the hometown she loves.