Claymakers is here for every stage of the pottery journey—from first-time students learning to throw, to working artists building small creative businesses.
Chellie LaPointe first came to Claymakers as a beginner in 2017. Today, she runs her own small-batch ceramics business—and continues to rely on the same community that helped her start.
“As a ceramics small business owner in Durham, it is so helpful to have easy access to low-cost materials and supplies, kiln rentals, and classes and workshops at Claymakers. In that way, it is important to me that I contribute to Claymakers’ financial stability.”
In 2025 alone, Claymakers helped more than 100 small art businesses create their work with affordable materials and firing services. We’re now aiming to welcome 20 new monthly sustainers by June 15 to keep this access possible for more artists.
If Claymakers has been part of your creative journey, becoming a monthly sustainer is one of the simplest ways to give back. Visit the link in our bio to join us today and keep the Triangle's clay community thriving!
It's that time again--Session 4 class registration opens this Friday, May 15th at 12 PM sharp!
Classes run May 31–July 11: we have 17 classes chock full of wheel-throwing, handbuilding, and sculpture for all levels, including special topics like:
• Jazzing up your functional pots with @evelynwardpottery
• Advanced glaze chemistry with @mariewrightpottery , mosaic-style
• Joining @claywithjess in playing with patterns
Check out the full lineup at claymakers.org/classes, and set those alarms—classes fill fast! We'll see you in the studio ☀️
Mark your calendars! The Claymakers Community Potluck is this week: Friday, May 15th from 6-8pm! Bring a dish to share, drinks are on us! We are so excited to hang out with you!
What would your creative life look like without Claymakers?
For so many of us, Claymakers is more than a studio—it’s part of our creative practice, our routine, and our community. That’s why so many people choose to support this space through monthly giving: to help ensure future artists and makers can find the same connection and opportunities here.
This spring, we’re hoping to welcome 20 new monthly sustainers by June 15th. Monthly gifts at any level help support classes, scholarships, studio operations, and community programs all year long.
As longtime community member Kitty Sherwin says: “Claymakers is such an amazing resource for us, I decided that I wanted to help them thrive...if I can help a little bit, it makes me happy. We are lucky to have such a great resource here for all of us who are in love with clay and how it lets us create our dreams.”
Love having Claymakers in your life? Become a monthly sustainer today at the link in our bio 💫
Shout out to some fun items that are making us…… hungry!! Aaaand swipe to end for an amazing chicken— she’s not making us hungry, we are just here to admire her beauty 😍🍅🍓🍕🐓
Please join us in welcoming our newest team member, Elizabeth McAdams! She’ll be in the studio three days a week as our new Supply Store Assistant.
Elizabeth brings a wealth of ceramics experience, with time spent as retail manager at Ben Owen Pottery in Seagrove, and stops at Cub Creek Foundation and Peters Valley School of Craft.
We’re thrilled to have her as part of the team--stop by the store soon and help us give Elizabeth a warm Claymakers welcome ⚱💞
Let's hang! Potluck + chill with us on Friday, May 15th from 6-8 pm. A great time to mix and mingle with the Claymakers community & bond over our love of clay! You bring a dish, we've got drinks covered. 😎
2025 was a huge year for Claymakers--notably, our 25th birthday! We are happy to share a comprehensive reflection on 2025 in our Annual Report. From anniversary events to expanded programs, 2025 honored how far we’ve come while building momentum for what’s ahead. We’re especially grateful to the supporters who continue to sustain our work. Thank you as always to our vibrant community!
Link to Annual Report in bio.
May one-time workshops are here! Sign up for Garden Critters or Intro to Wheel--two classes that are guaranteed to spark your creativity. Bring your mom along: it's Mother's Day weekend, after all! 💐
File under: new and different 💫 we're trying out a few new Kentucky Mudworks clays!
Iceman with Grog: 6% added grog for a lil tooth
Kota: creamy and translucent mid-range porcelain
Sheltowee: deep red at C5, dark red brown at C6
Bruiser: crunchy toasty brown
If you want to try them out, too, better get a move on--they're only available in *limited quantities* of a few hundred pounds. Claymakers' supply store is open Tuesday-Saturday, 1-6 pm. Come on by!
Our scholarship applications are OPEN again--now through Sunday, May 3rd!
If you're a Durham resident who identifies as BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ and you're interested in taking a beginner-level clay class, we'd love to hear from you. Visit the link in our bio for more details or to apply!
