Workshops are open to ages 8 and up; participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult who has purchased a ticket. Teens 16 and older may attend alone.

How long is the class?

The session runs about 2 hours and is designed for beginners to complete one 12-ounce mug.

When do I get my finished mug?

Black Hound staff bisque fire, glaze, and refire finished pieces; expect a 3-4 week turnaround and an email when ready.

Is the studio accessible?

Yes—Black Hound Clay Studio South is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included in the price?

All materials, tools, instruction, and firing are included for each student to make one mug.

What is sliding-scale pricing?

The studio offers three pricing tiers so participants can choose what they can afford; check their sliding-scale graphic before booking.

Make Your Own Mug: Hands-On Pottery Workshop at Black Hound Clay Studio South in Philadelphia

At Black Hound Clay Studio South, 1701 Federal Street, Philadelphia PA 19146, a two-hour beginner workshop turns raw clay into a reliable, everyday object: your own 12-ounce mug. This class, "NEW Make Your Own Mug," welcomes anyone aged eight and up, and offers hands-on instruction in slab construction, stamping, and surface texture. Wheelchair accessible and limited to 16 people, the session is paced for families, first-timers, and makers who want a tangible souvenir of Philadelphia's working-art scene. Inside the South Philadelphia studio, benches are set with rolling pins, texture stamps, and slabs of white stoneware clay. Instructors demonstrate efficient slab-building techniques, then guide you as you cut, assemble, and add personalized impressions - everything from alphabet stamps to botanical textures. After shaping, you choose a glaze; Black Hound staff handle bisque and glaze firing for a food-, microwave-, and dishwasher-safe result. Expect a 3-4 week turnaround; finished pieces are available for pickup Wednesday through Sunday, 12-6. The studio sits in a neighborhood shaped by mid-century rowhouses and an expanding craft corridor, so a pottery class here doubles as a local cultural experience. The sliding-scale pricing model makes the workshop accessible: three tiers let you choose what you can afford while supporting community arts. Practical benefits stack up - the mug you make is durable, use-tested, and uniquely yours; the class size keeps attention high; and the all-inclusive materials list means you only bring curiosity. This isn't a performance; it's a craft-intensive lab that rewards tactile focus. Expect to leave with a deeper sense of how form, weight, and surface combine to make a cup comfortable to hold. For parents, teens, and adults who crave an indoor, low-impact activity in any season, the format is tidy: two hours of instruction, creative freedom, and less cleanup than a full studio membership. Pair your session with neighborhood exploration: coffee at a nearby roaster, a walk through Headhouse Square, or a detour to the Italian Market. If you're visiting Philadelphia and want to take home something made by your own hands rather than a mass-produced souvenir, this workshop is a hands-on way to learn a new skill while engaging with local artists. The class captures the practical side of craft: repeatable techniques, a finished object you'll use daily, and a simple schedule that makes creativity accessible to nearly everyone. Note logistical details before you arrive: all materials, tools, and firing are included, so wear clothes that can get clay on them. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult who purchased a ticket; teens 16 and older may attend alone. You'll receive an email when your pieces are ready for pickup. The sliding-scale pricing aims to keep access broad—bring an open mind and leave with something handmade and practical.