Pottery and Ceramics Instructors in Western Montana
Explore the versatility of clay with our experienced group of teachers. They offer a wide variety of instruction for beginners and experienced potters. Whether you’ve never used clay and just want to try a project with friends or individually, or you’re are a seasoned potter looking to improve a technique we can meet your interests. Try hand-building to fashion kitchen accessories, mugs, bowls, and more. Sculpt a myriad of forms, from flowers and animals to abstract shapes and human figures. Learn the art of wheel throwing and create your own bowls, mugs, vases, and vessels.
If you are a clay instructor and are interested in teaching at Clay Works please contact us.
Click an instructor’s name or scroll down for more info about what they offer and to email them.
Clay Works Instructors
Jean is a retired art educator with over 30 years of experience teaching adults and youth. Her expertise and passion is teaching clay to youth ages 4+ .… (read more)
Robin offers private lessons in hand building teach projects suitable for birthday parties and special events for individuals wanting mentoring or small group, … (read more)
Nora teaches beginner wheel classes and other workshops and believes that in ceramics there is always something new to learn no matter how long you’ve been at it. (read more)
Vevan teaches beginner and intermediate wheel classes. (read more)
KJ offers beginning wheel workshops appropriately titled “play with clay” - as she says “Trying something new should be fun!” Her teaching style is based on … (read more)
Having grown up with a professional potter in the family, Peter was exposed at a very early age to the wonder of creating with clay. That interest continued … (read more)
Pam began her ceramic journey in high school and continued playing with clay whenever she was lucky enough to find an open studio until she landed at Clay Works! … (read more)
For general information about activities at Clay Works! please contact us:
Robin offers private lessons in hand building for individuals wanting mentoring or small group or family workshops for adults and kids 10 and older. She also teach projects suitable for birthday parties and special events such as holidays or team building.
Robin has 8+ years of experience with clay, including wheel, handbuilding, as well as some experience in sculpture. She also has a lot of experience in decorating pottery with underglazes.
“I love to teach and have been teaching both children and adults for the last 4 years. “~ Robin
Class size is limited to 8 due to the space required for handbuilding projects.
Price is $65/person for 1-2 people, $55/person for 3-4 people and includes all materials, glazes and firings. Prices vary for birthday parties and larger groups depending on the project.
Contact Robin with the form below for more information and to schedule a workshop.
Robin Ireland: handbuilding, private and group lessons
Jean Driescher, BFA MEd, is a retired art educator with experience with adults and youth for over 30 years. She has her own art education business called Art in Action and teaches art workshops in Darby and Hamilton Montana. She is coordinator of the handbuilding group and Vice President of the Clays Works! Board of Directors. Her expertise and passion is teaching clay to youth ages 4+ through her Kidz Klay Program and also all ages in private workshops and parties.
Cost: Single hand building project which is three sessions of 2 hours each costs range from $100 to $150 per person. Discounts for families/groups and multiple projects available.
Contact Jean with the form below for more information and to schedule a workshop.
Jean Dreischer: handbuilding, private and group lessons; youth and adult
Vevan Yang: wheel, private and group lessons
I found my way back to pottery in 2019 and it slowly but surely morphed from one class to an all-consuming hobby, then to a side-hustle, and now has been my main source of income since 2022.
In early 2023 I started teaching beginner wheel classes and other workshops and believe that in ceramics there is always something new to learn no matter how long you’ve been at it.
When my hands aren’t covered in clay, you can likely find me outside with my two pitties, exploring Montana with my partner Jeff, cooking, reading, making coffee, enjoying time with friends, and seeking joy and laughter wherever I can find it.
I hope to hold a safe and welcoming space for all humans.
Class size: individual and small groups.
Price: varies in relation to projects
Nora Bartley: Wheel, handbuilding, private and group lessons
KJ offers beginning wheel workshops appropriately titled “play with clay” - as she says “Trying something new should be fun!” Her teaching style is based on learning to feeling how and why the clay is taking a particular shape as the wheel turns. This helps you build the skills and understanding to bring your ideas to life.
She has a Bachlors in Education with instructional experience that comes a from 40+ years of teaching a wide variety of artistic and movement oriented skills (from drawing to graphic design and showboarding.)
“Teaching is one of my passions! And to combine playing (with clay) while helping someone learn to throw is so much fun for me!” - KJ.
KJ Kahnle: wheel - private and group lessons
Making it a great experience!
Student’s first pots!
Peter Thruston: beginner and intermediate wheel throwing. Small groups and private.
Having grown up with a professional potter in the family, Peter was exposed at a very early age to the wonder of creating with clay. That interest continued developing through high school and led to a Fine Arts major in college. While life intervened by way of other careers, ceramics was always a part of his creative expression and his move to Montana has afforded him the opportunity to devote a full measure of his passion for this medium.
His specialty is wheel throwing and he is drawn to classic forms such as vases, urns and bowls. Peter is also very interested in other ceramic techniques such as, the Japanese technique of Raku and the Baltic technique of Obvara both of which produce unique finishes.
He offers classes in beginning and intermediate wheel throwing to small groups as well as private lessons.
Pam began her ceramic journey in high school and continued playing with clay whenever she was lucky enough to find an open studio until she landed at Clay Works! She creates functional, whimsical pieces bringing art to ordinary objects. Her freeform designs are inspired by botanicals, urban wildlife, geometry, and human connection.
In 2010 she began teaching yoga, and found her passion. Through the avenue of yoga she has learned that she loves sharing knowledge and guiding others through new experiences.
She is excited to share the craft of pottery with you and teaches wheel throwing classes and sgraffito workshops.
Class size: Individual and small groups
Price: $65/person for 1-2 people, $55/person for 3-4 people, and includes all materials, glazes and firings. Workshop prices may vary.
