Discover Philadelphia's artistic side with a private hands-on clay workshop tailored for all skill levels. Dive into crafting your own pottery pieces in a focused, creative studio setting in the city’s heart.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness required; suitable for all ages with basic ability to remain seated and use hands
Wildlife
History
Philadelphia’s long heritage as a center for arts and crafts traces back to colonial times when artisanal trades thrived here.
Conservation
The workshop promotes sustainable practices by using natural clay and non-toxic glazes, minimizing environmental impact.
Black Hound Clay Studio West
Black Hound Clay Studio West is a ceramics studio offering a broad schedule of pottery classes, workshops, open studio sessions, summer art camps, and members-only events. The studio presents structured multi-week series such as Wheelthrowing 101 and Wheelthrowing 102, short-format workshops like Make Your Own Holiday Mug and One Day Wheel Workshop, and skill-focused courses including Handbuilt Tableware for Beginners and Intermediate Handbuilding options.
Classes emphasize hands-on instruction in wheelthrowing, slab and coil handbuilding, surface decoration, glazing, and functional tableware. Several class listings note small, supportive settings and instructor-led guidance; named instructors appear in class descriptions, including Frankie Iadarola, Corinna Cowles, and Caroline Hayes-Charuk. The studio also runs open studio sessions for students, member-focused demos and refreshers (kiln, glaze, reclaim, slip, extruder), and bookable private workshops.
Seasonal programming includes Mid-Summer Open Studio Sessions and Black Hound West Summer Art Camp sessions scheduled for August 2025. Multiple offerings show waitlist status for popular time slots, indicating high demand. Membership-only entries provide additional hands-on opportunities and technical demos.
Black Hound Clay Studio West’s program mix supports beginners through intermediate students, offering repeatable class sequences and specialty workshops for makers seeking practical skills, creative play, and finished functional work. The studio lists explicit class names, waitlist entries, and member events to help prospective students find a right-fit experience.
Experiences Offered
38
Classes, workshops, camps, and member events
Members Events
6
Kiln, glaze, reclaim, slip, extruder demos
Summer Camps
2 (2025)
August 2025 camp sessions listed
Waitlist Entries
10
Several popular classes show waitlists
Search wheelthrowing, handbuilding, workshops, summer camps, and members sessions; reserve a spot or join waitlists for in-demand classes and private workshops.
Book in advance
Private workshops fill quickly, so reserve your spot early to secure your preferred date and time.
Wear comfortable clothing
Clothing that you don’t mind getting clay on will make your experience more enjoyable.
Come prepared to get hands-on
This workshop involves working directly with clay—expect to use your hands extensively during the session.
Arrive on time
Punctuality ensures you get the full workshop experience without interruptions.
Comfortable, old clothes
Clay can be messy, so wear clothes you’re okay with staining.
Water bottle
Stay hydrated during your creative session.
Apron or smock
Helpful to keep clothes clean but often provided by the studio.
Small towel or wipes
Useful for quick hand cleanup during the workshop.