Pottery classes for adults and kids in NYC
Taught by Isabella Jansen
For ages 7–12
Tuesdays, 4–5:15pm
Sept 20–Dec 6 (12 weeks)
Cost: $600 (includes material and firing fees)
Pinch, roll, coil, or flatten to make functional or sculptural pieces. The children will learn the basic hand building techniques with enough guidance to inspire his or her unique creativity. Project ideas are presented by the teacher at each class, but are open-ended, always keeping the children's individual interests in mind.
Most of you are aware that we announced the closure of Mud Matters due to the devastating financial impact of the extended pandemic on our businesses. In December, it was painfully clear that we could no longer afford the high expenses of keeping the studio running with such restrictions necessary for the safety of our customers.
During January, our students and members who had recently returned finished up their work and we said some very sad goodbyes to so many wonderful friends and customers. We finished firing the kilns and cleared out all the pottery. We sold a lot of equipment. This impending closure was such a tragic event for us, for all of you, and for the Hell's Kitchen community and beyond. We received so many nice messages — including from a studio in New Zealand — telling us what the studio has meant to them and lamenting (along with us) the closure.
But good fortune shined on Mud Matters in its final hours. AND we are pleased to report that, while Mud Matters will indeed be closed for studio and studio member work, we will be back in January 2022. In the meanwhile, we managed to sublease the space and nearly all of our equipment to a pair of ceramic artists who will use the space as a production studio.
This temporary reprieve from the financial burdens of running a full service community studio during the pandemic is such welcome news.
We hope you will keep in touch with us and watch for announcements of our re-opening. In the meanwhile, please consider supporting La Mano Pottery by joining as a studio member or a student. We hope to continue to operate at the current modified level and, as covid-restrictions loosen, we intend to bring back more courses and studio time.
Sending you our very best wishes for your safety and health. We look forward to sharing many creative hours with you and others in the future.
See you soon,
Diane, Julie and Peggy
Co-Owners
Mud Matters
Precious metal clay, or silver clay, is made of pure silver mixed with water and an organic binding agent. You can mold it into an endless number of shapes and designs. When fired, the binding agent burns off, resulting in original fine silver jewelry—99.9% pure.
Learn the basics of how to work with silver clay in our introductory workshop. This 3 hour session covers rolling, stamping, and other methods of creating texture and all the finishing techniques you will need. Pieces will be fired during the workshop, so you can wear your creation home that day. The price of the workshop is $90 (cost of clay not included).
Take additional workshops at our studio at a discounted rate of $75 and be able to work independently. You can continue to use your new skills to make, fire, and finish other one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, and have a teacher available for assistance.
After you have taken your first workshop, we also offer the option to “rent” the kiln for $50. Bring us what you have made at home with PMC3 and we will fire the pieces for you. Turn around time is one week. Precious metal clay can be purchased at Mud Matters ($50 for 15g and $75 for 25g packet).
Participants must be 18 or older. You can register online!
Check out our late fall schedule of eight-week wheel and hand building courses. You can then register online.
We also offer introductory hand building and wheel workshops, and individual or group private lessons (please call for info on private lessons).
Join us at our sister studio, La Mano, for our annual Oktoberfest party and sale. Purchase a handmade mug, cup, or stein, and we’ll fill it up with beer, hard cider, and root beer. It's a great way to get a head start on your holiday shopping—everyone loves mugs! Hope to see you there.
The upcoming fall schedule of eight-week wheel and hand building courses is now listed on our pottery classes page. If you know what class you want, you can register online.
We also offer introductory hand building and wheel workshops, and individual or group private lessons (please call for info on private lessons).
August 23rd and 24th
10:30 am–4:30 pm
at La Mano Pottery
Price $399 per person before Aug 22, $450 on day of.
Although this workshop is open to any experience level, it is not for total beginners. Participants must have some basic wheel throwing knowledge (and be 18 years or older). La Mano will supply tools, aprons, towels, as well as clay.
During this two-day workshop, we will demo and practice special techniques that make centering and shaping large amounts of clay easy and comfortable. There will be time for one-on-one help and special request demos. Plus, we will cover how to trim large or difficult shapes, making them lighter, more uniform, and graceful.
Please note: Current members of either La Mano or Mud Matters will have the option to fire pieces made during the workshop; for nonmembers, pieces will not be saved.
Léan van der Merwe
Léan is a South African Potter from Cape Town, in the US for only two weeks in August. He gained notoriety on Instagram with his @argilebylean account. Léan is pottery obsessed and pushes his limits as frequently as possible. He has taught himself how to regularly centre over 20kg (44lbs) of clay, shape large vessels and throw huge bowls. He enjoys teaching his personal techniques and knowledge to the greater ceramics community.
If you're having trouble registering, please contact us.
Friday, October 26, 5:30–8:30pm
110 West 26th Street
It’s time for our annual Oktoberfest party and sale. Purchase a handmade mug, cup, or stein made by La Mano and Mud Matters potters, and we’ll fill it up with beer, hard cider, or root beer. Hope to see you there!