Fire up the Kiln: Pottery Classes Roundup

No matter what time of year, expression through art can be a relaxing, creative escape from the stress and chaos of daily life. Pottery offers a creative outlet without the pressure of perfection that sometimes accompanies art-making. With several options in and around the Wilmington area, opportunities abound for shaping clay at the wheel.

Bookworm Pottery  

“Lovingly hand-crafted ceramics made in Wilmington, N.C.” Bookworm offers several class options including specific item workshops, pottery wheel date nights, kids’ classes, six-week courses and pottery painting, among others.  

707 South 16th Street, Unit 3 
Wilmington, NC 28401  

Tuesday-Friday noon-6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m.-6 p.m.  

Cameron Art Museum  

A place where art can be appreciated as well as created. The museum’s Pancoe Education offers a range of adult and children’s art classes and workshops. Classes for adults are available year-round, and kids can enjoy half-day art CAMps every summer. Previous pottery offerings have included Holiday Christmas Tree making as well as Slab Built Sugar and Creamer Set. 

3201 South 17th Street
Wilmington, NC 28412  

Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday open late until 9 p.m.  

Fat Cat Pottery  

“Create. Learn. & Grow With Us.” Fat Cat’s five-week classes are all beginner friendly. Price of $200 includes instruction, 25 pounds of clay, glazes, firings and a beginner tool kit. Students with tools and/or clay pay a discounted rate. Seating is limited. Pre-registration of $130 is required at sign-up. A 50 percent refund will be issued for cancellation no less than 14 business days before the scheduled start date. Classes are for 18+ years of age. 

Current class offerings include Throwing on the Wheel and Hand-Building.

2500 Blue Clay Road
Wilmington, NC 28405  

 Tuesday-Thursday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.  

A Little Twisted Pottery  

“Student- and woman-owned pottery studio.” Maker EMMA BRINKLEY loves how clay can be forever impermanent until an artist decides to create a permanent piece of art. She encourages others to “observe, learn, challenge, and grow” through pottery. A Little Twisted Pottery offers workshops, series courses, seasonal classes, solo sessions, pottery painting, and private events including showers, company get-togethers and birthday celebrations. 

4410 Wrightsville Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403

Times vary; message for an appointment.  

Pineapple Studios  

A yoga and pottery studio that is “perfecting the art of the mess.” They offer one-time classes, open studio hours, six-week beginner series, six-week intermediate series, and Wine & Wheel classes.

1016 and 1018 N. 4th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

Class and workshop times vary
Retail shop open: Wednesday-Thursday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.  

Salty Ceramics  

Owner MEGHAN ANGELIS creates nontoxic, microwave- and dishwasher-safe pottery, as well as kiln firings and clay for sale. Salty Ceramics offers group classes, private lessons, parties, paint your own pottery, and date nights.

1415 Dawson Street, Unit 106
Wilmington, NC 28401

Times vary based on classes. Online shopping available at saltyceramics.com