Clay Classes
discover your connection with clay
The BMCA Clay Studio is located behind our main building. In the past it was the town’s garage, but in 2005 it was renovated and transformed into a vibrant clay studio.
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BMCA offers on-going pottery classes for all levels of experience and a monthly Independent Study Program for experienced potters. Occasionally, we offer workshops in the studio and information about these can be found on our workshops page.
on-going CLASSES
On-going classes in our Clay Studio run in 6-week sessions. Each class meets once a week for six weeks. The cost is $235 for the session and includes use of all the tools in the studio, glazes, firing, one 25-pound bag of clay, and access to the studio for two Open Studio sessions each week. The 2025 class schedule runs the weeks of:
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January 6th- February 16th
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February 17th- March 30th
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March 31st - May 11th
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May 12th - June 22nd
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June 23rd - August 3rd
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August 4th - September 14th
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September 15th - October 26th
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October 27th - December 7th
Due to the small size of our studio, our pottery classes have a waitlist. In an effort to allow our students to build their skills, our policy is to allow current students to continue enrolling in classes as long as they would like to. When a student does decide to leave, we offer their spot to the next person on the waitlist.
For more details on how the waitlist works please use this link.
If you would like to be added to the waitlist for pottery classes please use the button below. Please note that students must be at least 16 years old in order to participate in our clay classes.
See the class days and times and Open Studio schedule below.
Class Schedule
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Monday (beginner & intermediate)
6:00pm-8:00pm
Mathilda Potter
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Tuesday (intermediate)
10:00am-12:00pm
Charles Freeland
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Tuesday (advanced)
6:00pm-8:00pm
Charles Freeland
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Thursday (beginner & intermediate)
4:00pm-6:00pm
Geoff Bird
Open Studio Schedule
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Monday
1:00pm-4:00pm
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Tuesday
12:00pm-3:00pm
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Wednesday
6:00pm-9:00pm
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Thursday
1:00pm-4:00pm
6:00pm-8:00pm
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Friday
10:00am-1:00pm
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Saturday
12:00pm-3:00pm
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Sunday
4:00pm-6:00pm
Independent Study
The Independent Study Program in the BMCA Clay Studio is an opportunity for experienced potters to work in a studio without instruction. The monthly fee for this program is $130 and includes use of all the tools in the studio, glazes, firing, and access to the studio for two Open Studio sessions each week. Students interested in the Independent Study Program must demonstrate knowledge of glazing, firing, and building and/or throwing techniques and must have a minimum of one year of class instruction.
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This program is an application-based program, and interested parties must fill out this online application and submit photos of their work to be considered. If you’re interested in being added to the waitlist, please fill out the below application and email 4-6 photos of your work to clay@blackmountainarts.org with the subject line Independent Study Application. You will be notified by a staff member to let you know if you have been accepted and added to the waitlist.
