From Clay to Glaze
Pottery Studio @ SmARTivities
Explore the ancient art of ceramics and build your pottery making skills in our relaxed and inspiring studio. Smartivities Showcase is the only studio in the Lehigh Valley where you can try out the Pottery Wheel in individual workshops and short term courses. We make pottery accessible to everyone and encourage you to try it out for yourself!
Here you can sculpt clay and rediscover your creative side! We welcome all levels from beginner to advanced and hobbyist to professional who can benefit from the services and classes we offer such as:
- Handbuilding Basics and Wheel Thrown Pottery Instruction
- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Level Classes and Courses
- One-Time Workshops just for fun
- Private Lessons and Group Parties
- Technique Assistance and Advice
- Studio Memberships for Individual practice and study time
Beginners and experienced potters alike are welcome to join our studio memberships for independent study too!
Therapeutic Benefits and Science of Pottery as Self-Care
Working with clay is more than just a creative hobby; it is a scientifically backed method for emotional regulation and self-care. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or have never touched mud, the simple act of working with clay offers profound therapeutic benefits backed by science.
For centuries people have been making pottery as a useful artform...
and at our studio, we believe pottery is more than just making "stuff"—
it’s a powerful practice for grounding the body and restoring the mind.
Engaging with this ancient medium provides benefits for the mind and body in many ways including
The Power of Tangible Creation...
In a digital world, making something physical provides a sense of agency and self-efficacy.
Transforming a raw lump of earth into a finished vessel is a powerful reminder of your ability to shape your own environment and vital for building emotional resilience.
Clinically Proven Stress Relief
Research published in the journal Art Therapy found that just 45 minutes of creative clay work leads to a significant drop in cortisol levels (the body's stress hormone), regardless of the maker's artistic skill. You don't need to be "good" at it to feel the physiological relief; the mindful act of creating is what heals.
Encourages "Flow" Zen
Clay requires a unique level of focus that encourages a flow state—a mental zone where your "inner critic" and daily anxieties go quiet. This shift provides a natural reprieve from the cycle of anxiety and overthinking. Many associate this with a feeling of "zen" and calm that comes with repetitive clay work.
Sensory Grounding
Clay provides intense grounding or proprioceptive input (the sense of self-movement and body position). The weight and resistance of the clay against your hands act as a "circuit breaker" for overthinking, pulling your awareness out of your head and back into your body.
Nervous System Regulation
The rhythmic, bilateral movement of centering clay on a wheel or hand-building helps regulate the nervous system. This physical repetition is a form of tactile mindfulness that anchors you firmly in the present moment.
The Community Connection: While pottery can be a solitary meditation, doing it in a community studio introduces co-regulation. Sharing a creative space with others fosters a sense of belonging and "collective flow" that further reduces feelings of isolation and stress.
We welcome you to review all of our options and select what suits your needs to get started on your pottery making journey with us! Let's get creative!
Pottery Classes & Workshops
We offer many opportunities for all ages and abilities to learn the pottery making process in our workshops, classes, and courses. No experience needed to try it for yourself!
WORKSHOPS: (As scheduled)
- Pottery Wheel Spin Workshop
- The Pottery Wheel Experience
- Pottery For a Purpose Workshop
- Special Handbuilding Project Workshops
- Special Glazing Workshops
CLASSES: (Weekly)
- Clayworks Pottery Class (Wed. Evening)
- Clayworks Pottery Class (Thur. Afternoon)
COURSES: (Monthly)
- Intro to the Pottery Wheel 3-wk Course (Sunday 12-2pm)
- Beginner Pottery Wheel 3-wk Course (Saturday 10a-12p)
- Advanced Pottery Wheel 3-wk Course (Friday
Membership Plans
We offer plans for every step in your creative journey. From Clay to Bisqueware to Glazed awesomeness!
In our Pottery Studio you will have access to work tables, pottery wheels, shared tools, studio clay, and glazes in our cozy and inspiring environment.
You can work on one of our 8 pottery wheels or use the shared tables for handbuilding with space to wedge, weigh, roll out, and spin your clay.
In addition to included amenities, our memberships come with kiln firings and discounts on supplies and classes too!
You can choose from the following plans:
- “Claymate” Basic Plan
- “Potter” Standard Plan
- “Ceramist” Premium Plan
These plans are on a subscription basis with agreement to our studio rules and practices upon registration. We offer Monthly or Annual subscription options.
Open Studio Hours
Open Studio time is a service we are providing to our members of pottery enthusiasts and advanced potters alike. We open up our pottery studio during normal business hours between 10am-7pm for DIY clay work and pottery making when we don't have a class running or a party scheduled.
We welcome you to come and be creative in this therapeutic medium at your own pace. However, we are not a production studio and do not have the capacity for high volume or extra large pieces. We offer a small cozy studio with space to create and share ideas with fellow potters.
How to get Studio Time:
- Select your membership plan from our list based on your needs.
- After you sign up for membership, you can book open studio time hours as needed in your customer account! (We will provide a studio tour and discuss our policies at your first session to understand our studio workflow.)
- Select Date and Time to book time or call us to check availability.
Let customers speak for us
I had a great time in this class! Looking to see what other classes they offer. The teacher and owner of the studio are both lovely people!
I love it. It matches my decor well and it is heavy duty. I love that I can fit so many toothbrushes in it at once.
My granddaughter picked it out and painted it. Looks wonderful.
The cupcake turned out great! My granddaughter did a wonderful job…awesome gift for her mother for Mother’s Day.
The Into to Pottery Wheel Class was very enjoyable and fun.Donna, the instructor was patient and helpful above and beyond. My 10 year old Granddaughter and I shared this bonding experience.
Excellent experience!!!! Such a calm, zenith, and fun place for all ages!
I loved it! The design is super cute and fun to paint and the atmosphere of the place was amazing!
Very friendly people and have many options to paint on and always happy to give advice when needed.
It’s a great size to add to my in-progress dinner set of geese themes. I also just made a dinner bowl and dessert bowl to add with it. I will be adding more plates in the future.
