Sandra MillerThe first time I fell in love with pottery was when I bought a unique handmade mug that had tiny flowers, a frog inside that peeks out when you finish your drink, and a wiggly handle. It was the most beautiful thing I owned.
But I’m a clumsy gal, and one morning after a crazy night out, I accidentally knocked it over. But I like a good challenge, so I thought I could recreate it… or make something that looked similar, at least.
That was the first time I went to a pottery class, and the rest is history—my apartment is now full of handmade ceramics. I’ve dragged my friends here and there because it’s a hobby that I want everyone to experience—and maybe get my Ghost moment (IYKYK).
I want the same for our readers. So, here are pottery classes in Indianapolis that my friends and I keep going back to, including wheel throwing and hand-building!
Buck Creek Pottery
– Media credit: buck_creek_pottery
Address: 11855 Indian Crk S Rd
Contact: 317-840-3785, [email protected]
Hours:
- Thursday: 6 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: Closed
Pricing: $
Best For: Beginners who want focused attention; potters who want a space to work on
Buck Creek Pottery, a studio located in southeast Indianapolis, has everything under one roof, from hand-building to wheel-throwing classes. The small number of participants per session is ideal for beginners, since everyone gets focused attention.
Adults and kids are welcome to participate, and there are weekly classes for beginners to advanced that focus on various themes for a wider exploration of designing and glazing. If you simply want to dip your hands in pottery, join a pop-up class.
Are you a potter who doesn’t have a place to work on? Then, this is where you should go! The studio is open for anyone who has already honed their pottery skills, where you can basically rent the space and work without an instructor.
| Pro Tip: Classes fill up fast, so it’s best to reserve your slot weeks in advance or join the waiting list to secure a spot. |
Get Dirty Ceramics
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Address: G.C. Murphy Building – 1043 Virginia Ave, Unit 205
Contact: 317-721-1393
Hours: Determined by the classes
Pricing: $
Best For: Pay-as-you-go classes for kids and adults
If you have a busy calendar and cannot commit to 2-hour classes each week, Get Dirty Ceramics is worth checking out. It’s short and sweet, offering 45-minute hand-building and wheel-throwing classes for adults and kids.
That doesn’t mean your pottery will be all done and dusted in under 1 hour. You still need to come back for another class (at a separate fee) for painting, since it still needs to go through the drying and glazing process.
The studio is also open for advanced skills, complete with the tools and equipment, including 10 lbs of clay that can make a very big bowl! It’s not a session that’s always available, so it’s best to book a spot as soon as there’s a slot.
| Pro Tip: Want unique mugs, bowls, and whatnots? Purchase an abandoned ceramic for only $5. |
Fountain Clay Square Center
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Address: 950 Hosbrook St
Contact: 317-985-1212, [email protected]
Hours:
- Wednesday: 5 pm – 9 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 12 pm – 4 pm
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: Closed
Pricing: $$$
Best For: Potters who want to expand their community
One of the best studios for pottery classes in Indianapolis is Fountain Clay Square Center, located in what used to be a packing peanuts manufacturing plant. There’s a certain appeal to the industrial space, as the raw contrast complements pottery.
It’s got everything for hand-building and wheel-throwing in one venue, such as private sessions, weekly spots, one-night classes, and workshops.
The schedule’s pretty flexible for busy adults, since its calendar includes a variety of evening classes (you know, because of work and all). Additionally, the large space makes it perfect for private pottery parties with a minimum of 6 people.
However, it’s still ideal for advanced potters who need the space and prefer working alone, given that you get two shelf spaces and flexibility to access the studio. An added perk is meeting fellow artists to expand your network in the arts scene.
| Pro Tip: Follow the studio’s socials for updates on special events and pottery sales. |
Indy Art Center
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Address: 820 E 67th St
Contact: 317-255-2464, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 9 am – 10 pm
- Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm
- Sunday: 12 am – 6 pm
Pricing: $$
Best For: Easy access to various art classes, from clay to performance art
At Indy Art Center, everyone’s welcome—and I mean that literally because this inclusive space offers a bunch of art classes for all ages and skill levels. Meanwhile, in the world of ceramics, every participant gets the chance to learn more than sculpting.
Expect to see wheel throwing and hand-building sessions, as well as other classes that will allow you to hone your clay sculpting and designing skills. Seriously, it’s one of the best places for pottery because it’s equipped with over 100 glaze combinations!
Participants get to make their very own ceramics, like bowls, mugs, and decorative items. And if budgeting is a challenge, some multi-day classes offer payment plans, so you can improve your skills without worrying too much about the money.
| Pro Tip: If your preferred class is fully booked, check the availability at Fishers Art Center, which is only a 30-minute drive from downtown Indy. |
Yellow Door Ceramics Studio
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Address: Milky Way Complex – 4201 Millersville Rd #103
Contact: 317-785-1200, [email protected]
Hours:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday: 12 pm – 4 pm
- Thursday: 4 pm – 9 pm
- Sunday, Monday, Sunday: Closed
Pricing: $$
Best For: Beginner to advanced potters who want thorough classes
If you’re looking for a welcoming space, Yellow Door Ceramics Studio is where you should go. Located in central Indianapolis, it features two studios that offer 1-night and 8-week classes, along with memberships for artists who need the space and equipment.
And if you’re searching for something to do on a Friday night, the 1-night pottery class will give you a cool end-of-the-week activity in Indy! This 16 and up session will have enough clay for every potter to make, not one, but up to three pots.
But if you’re more serious about ceramic courses, the 8-week classes are best suited for you. All skill levels are welcome, with beginner and intermediate sessions, as well as hybrid sessions that include wheel throwing and hand-building.
| Pro Tips: Keep an eye out for class openings because slots fill up quickly! |
Alley Cat Ceramics
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Address: 2209 E Michigan St
Contact: [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday & Wednesday: 4 pm – 8 pm
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: Closed
- Saturday – Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm
Pricing: $$
Best For: Serious potters who need the space and/or use of pottery equipment
Small classes are best suited for beginners who want to receive focused attention from the teacher, which is exactly what you’ll get at Alley Cat Ceramics. Beginner classes are mostly limited to six people at this pottery studio, which is more suited for adults.
But I found this is the best fit for serious potters who need a space to unleash their imagination. It offers in-house and open studio memberships, as well as open studio passes and firing services for potters who already have equipment.
This is one of the most recommended pottery studios in Indy for ceramicists who want to polish their craft. The in-house membership includes three-tiered shelf spaces, equipment access, unlimited building access, and discounts for clay and glazes.
| Pro Tip: Should you need the studio’s firing services, make sure you ask the staff which clay and glazes are approved first. Not all glazes work for every kiln. |
Beech Grove Clay Works
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Address: 339 Main St, Beech Grove
Contact: 317-373-4616, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: 1 pm – 5 pm
- Tuesday: 1 pm – 9 pm
- Wednesday: 1 pm – 8:30 pm
- Thursday: 1 pm – 6 pm
- Friday: 12 pm – 8 pm
- Saturday: 12 pm – 4:30 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm
Pricing: $
Best For: Better engagement during small pottery classes
Part of pottery’s learning process involves knowing the right techniques, which you can get from a teacher. And when you’re at Beech Grove Clay Works, you’ll actually learn these techniques because small classes equal a better learning environment.
Pottery beginners will have a blast at this studio because every participant will receive focused attention. It’s open for kids and adults, offering 2-hour, one-time, multi-week, and pop-up classes.
It’s also the kind of studio where the pottery community can come together. There’s a certain sense of belonging once you’re part of the group, as it includes access to instructional classes and a chance to meet like-minded people.
| Pro Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for special events, including a chance to show off your work and pop-up classes. |
Jennifer Meeker Art Ceramics
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Address: 927 E Tabor St
Contact: [email protected]
Hours: By appointment only
- Monday – Friday: 4 pm – 7 pm
- Saturday – Sunday: 9 am – 12 pm
Pricing: $$$
Best For: Private pottery classes
For pottery enthusiasts who prefer 1-on-1 sessions, Jennifer Meeker Art Ceramics should be first on your list. It’s an Indianapolis studio that focuses on private pottery classes, allowing you to learn without worrying whether you’re behind the group or not.
It’s a 2-hour wheel-throwing class that includes 2 lbs of clay, carving tools, and 25 glaze color options. You can do it solo or ask a friend to join—a good idea for a first date!
The pottery studio is located in a residential neighborhood in Indy. It has stairs to get to the property, which is something to consider if you have mobility challenges.
| Pro Tip: Make the experience last longer and create more ceramics. You can book the studio’s very own Airbnb in a quiet neighborhood! |
Kiln Creations
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Address: 60 N 9th St, Noblesville
Contact: 317-774-8982, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Saturday: 11 am – 6 pm
- Sunday: 12 pm – 5 pm
Pricing: $
Best For: Beginner-friendly sessions and pottery painting practice
Step out to Noblesville and visit Kiln Creations, a 30-minute drive from downtown Indy. It’s a place where all ages are welcome, and where you can have fun and enjoy no-pressure ceramic courses.
The wheel-throwing pottery classes are available for open time and 1-on-1 sessions, giving plenty of opportunities for all skill levels. If you’re serious about perfecting your skills, the multi-week classes should be on your list.
Aside from spinning the wheel and shaping your clay, there are some more beginner-friendly sessions you might want to check out. A fun activity is leveling up your painting skills, where you’ll pick an unglazed ware and paint it yourself!
| Pro Tip: Introduce the kids to pottery by trying out a painting pottery session before committing to a multi-week class. |
The Wandering Peacock
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Address: 227 Jersey St, Westfield
Contact: 317-385-0994, [email protected]
Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11 am – 6 pm
- Wednesday: 11 am – 4 pm
- Saturday: 11 am – 4 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Pricing: $$$
Best For: Beginner pottery classes
Situated north of Indianapolis, The Wandering Peacock offers literally every single pottery class for everyone. Besides the usual individual and group classes, there are sessions for date nights, parties, parents and kids, and Girl Scouts.
It’s where you go in Indy for beginner pottery classes, as the courses are set up to support first-time learners. Most classes can have enough clay to take home three vessels, too.
| Pro Tip: If you’re an intermediate potter, the Zen Den provides privacy for pottery with white stoneware. |
