How long is the class?

Each session is approximately two hours; the workshop runs in three blocks (10AM–12PM, 1PM–3PM, 4PM–6PM on the listed Saturday).

Do I need prior experience?

No—this workshop is beginner-friendly and designed to teach basic centering and shaping techniques with instructor guidance.

When can I pick up my finished piece?

Instructor-fired pieces are returned to Reiman Gardens for pickup about 4–5 weeks after the workshop.

Is registration required?

Yes—preregistration with prepayment is required to reserve your spot and wheel.

Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dusty; bring a hat or light jacket depending on weather.

Where can I get logistical or accessibility details?

Meeting point, parking, and accessibility specifics are not listed here; check Reiman Gardens’ official site or contact the program organizer for details.

Wheel-Thrown Clay Workshop at Reiman Gardens — Botanical Pottery in Ames, IA | Workshop | Guided Tour

Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa provides the quiet green backdrop for a hands-on pottery workshop that turns lumps of clay into leaf-pressed terracotta keepsakes. Wheel-Thrown Clay with Botanical Pressing brings eight portable pottery wheels onto the garden lawn, where instructor Nathan — presenting as Nathan & Clay — guides beginners and experienced makers through centered throwing, trimming, and pressing real leaves into soft clay surfaces. The result is a practical vessel or decorative plaque that carries an actual imprint of the gardens’ foliage.

Sessions run on a single Saturday in July with three two-hour time blocks, and each participant gets a wheel, stool, tools, clay and access to water and studio glazes. After the session the instructor fires the pieces and returns them to Reiman Gardens for pickup 4–5 weeks later, so you leave with a photograph and a plan to come back for the finished work. Preregistration and prepayment are required; groups are kept compact to preserve one-on-one instruction.

What makes this workshop stand out is the combination of a botanical theme and an on-site, low-barrier wheel experience. Portable wheels mean you’re working outside, surrounded by plants and paths rather than inside a studio’s four walls. Pressing a real leaf into wet terracotta captures texture and negative space in a way that mass-produced pottery cannot, and the simplicity of the technique lets newcomers make something gallery-worthy in a single afternoon.

Practical visitors should plan for sun or shade depending on the weather—bring a hat and sunscreen or a light jacket—and expect to stand or sit on a stool while shaping clay. The class is friendly to first-timers: Nathan’s guidance focuses on basic centering, pulling a rim, and adding botanical impression before trimming and glazing. Finished pieces are kiln-fired by the instructor; pick-up logistics are handled through the Gardens.

Why book this trip? It’s an approachable creative stop between outdoor walks in the Reiman grounds and downtown Ames errands, offering tactile learning, a tangible souvenir, and a memorable way to connect with Midwestern plant life. For families, couples, or solo travelers looking for a short, deliberate craft experience woven into a day of garden exploration, Wheel-Thrown Clay with Botanical Pressing converts a simple afternoon into a personalized piece of Ames to take home.

Expect a sensory afternoon: the ribbed rhythm of the wheel, the cool slick of clay under fingertips and the scent of cut leaves from beds nearby. Because spaces are limited, arrive early to check in and settle at your wheel; closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dusty are smart. The workshop doubles as a practical primer—techniques taught here translate to studio time later—and the fired, leaf-pressed result is a lasting memento and family-friendly creative souvenir.

About Reiman Gardens

Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa offers year-round horticultural displays, seasonal events, educational programs, and volunteer opportunities that engage families, students, and garden enthusiasts. The facility hosts a variety of public experiences including speaker series, guided and self-guided tours, hands-on youth day camps, and specialized workshops such as dried floral wreath making and floral design. Signature experiences include the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing — open daily and featuring up to 800 live butterflies from around 80 species — plus seasonal highlights like Butterfly Blizzard and Nature at NIGHT.

Reiman Gardens programs combine accessible outdoor activities with instructional series and community-focused nights. Regular offerings include Nature with Nathan, a six-part entomology speaker series; Rovers at Reiman dog-friendly evenings; Garden Flow six-week gentle stretching sessions; Nature Journaling workshops; and members-only Wednesday walking club access. Community events range from Autumn Equinox Gothic Soiree (ages 18+) to Trivia Nights, Maker Nights, and seasonal forest bathing walks. Volunteer roles support Spirits in the Gardens (October 10–12), Pumpkin Prep, Butterfly Wing docent training, seasonal gardening and displays, and group volunteer opportunities. Reiman Gardens also offers admissions options, guided tours for youth and adults, and special previews like RG Express and Bonsai Show Member Preview. All program descriptions, schedules, and registration details are published by Reiman Gardens; visitors should consult official listings for dates, age requirements, and availability.

Members' Wednesday Walking Club meets Wednesday mornings and provides access to the Butterfly Wing and Conservatory beginning at 9:00 AM, offering a quieter visit and the chance to see horticulturalists at work.