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Tuesday 1pm - 6pm Wednesday 1pm - 6pm Thursday 1pm - 6pm Friday 1pm - 6pm Saturday 1pm - 6pm

Claymakers

Claymakers is a nonprofit ceramics studio, building community in Durham NC since 2000 through clay education.

We offer 100+ weekly classes per year, a supply store, firing services, and studio spaces for artists of all levels to grow and create. Claymakers is a nonprofit community ceramics studio serving Durham since 2000. Our mission is to foster a thriving ceramics community by connecting individuals through education, resources, and support. We’re committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive space where

people can explore and deepen their passion for ceramics. Each year, we offer over 100 classes and workshops for adult learners of all skill levels in wheel-throwing, sculpture, and handbuilding, decorating, and firing. Our supply store equips artists and schools with the materials they need to create and arranges firing services, while our private studios provide independent artists with the space to advance their work.

06/05/2026

If you know Claymakers, you probably know Liz Paley. She's worn just about every hat possible here: student, instructor, board member, financial donor, store customer, and more!

Reflecting on her long tenure at Claymakers, Liz says: "Claymakers gave me a place to absorb information in classes as a student; to see how others approach clay artistically and philosophically; to learn from outstanding instructors whose work was pivotal in shaping my own style and interests; to acquire technical knowledge necessary for maintaining a home studio; and to stretch my skills and creativity through teaching."

We say: Be like Liz. Visit claymakers.org/donate to become a sustaining donor today, and help us secure another 25 years of creativity, community, & learning.

06/04/2026

Do you want to learn the magic of commercial underglaze transfers? This process makes crisp lines and distinctive imagery a snap! Spaces remain in Katherine Marting's June 1x class--- register today 💜 Friday, June 12 6:30-8:30pm. Sign up on the "Classes" page at www.claymakers.org

06/02/2026

Scholarship applications are OPEN, now through Sunday, June 21st!

If you are a Durham resident who identifies as BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ and you're interested in taking a beginner-level clay class, we encourage you to apply. Visit the link in our bio for more details and a link to application.

06/01/2026

🏳️‍🌈Happy Pride Month! We are excited to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community with a lighthearted evening of GAYmes. Join us on Saturday, June 13th from 6:30-9:30pm--- there will be a potluck for the first hour or so. The rest of the evening will hold unusual and silly GAYmes designed to delight! No clay experience necessary, all are welcome! 🖤🤎🩵🩷🤍❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 RSVP on the "classes" page at claymakers.org

05/28/2026

Supporting a creative space like Claymakers doesn’t have to be a big, one-time decision—for Megan Meyer, who has been a community member since 2022, monthly giving is simply part of how she stays connected to a place she cares about.

“It’s important to me to contribute financially to Claymakers because I deeply believe in supporting the arts and am fortunate to be able to do so. I participate in the sustaining donor program because I’ve incorporated it into my monthly budget, and I know that the recurring monthly commitment is super helpful to nonprofits.”

Reliable monthly support like Megan's helps Claymakers expand programs and access to ceramic education. In 2025, Claymakers provided 21 scholarships totaling over $5,000. To grow that impact, we’re aiming to welcome 20 new monthly sustainers by June 15th.

Monthly giving is a simple way to take part in our efforts—choose a monthly amount that fits your life, and know that your support helps support classes, scholarships, and creative opportunity year-round. Visit claymakers.org/donate to join us!

05/26/2026

We are so excited to announce our Summer Intensives series. Three epic NC potters with many skills to share will join us this summer for a variety of 1x Workshops.

⚱️ June 28th, 10am-4pm. Join this in-depth day of demonstration by playful patternmaker Ronan Peterson.

⚱️ July 17-19th 10am-4pm. 3-day hands-on big pot workshop with Seagrove potter David Stuempfle ** Note: Registration is not yet available for this workshop; we will announce registration soon! **

⚱️August 9th & 10th, 10am-4pm. 2-day hands on workshop with Durham porcelain specialist Gillian Parke. Learn surface treatments and unusual textures.

Registration for Ronan & Gillians workshops are now live on our website; David's will be available soon-- save the date!

05/21/2026

Here at Claymakers, our studio assistant program is integral to smooth operations in the studio. Emerging ceramic artists learn the studio management skills and grow their artistic experiences in classes. Your sustaining gift can help support and strengthen this program for years to come.

Studio assistant Chris Mattix started taking classes in 2024 and became a sustaining donor in 2025, the same year he became a studio assistant.

He says "Some of my closest friendships have come from this studio. I’ve grown creatively and emotionally here, and I’ve learned more about clay and myself than I ever expected to. Supporting Claymakers financially feels small compared to everything this community has given me."

If you feel similarly, consider joining us as a sustaining donor. Maybe you'll meet yet another lifelong friend in your next class!

05/20/2026

✨🧚‍♀️💕🌱✨ Whimsical Wednesday! ✨🌱💕🧚🏾‍♀️✨ Need we say more?

05/14/2026

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 claymakers.org/donate to join us today and keep the Triangle's clay community thriving!

05/13/2026

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
• Advanced glaze chemistry with , mosaic-style
• Joining 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 ☀️

Address

470 Salem Street
Durham, NC
27703

Opening Hours

Tuesday	1pm - 6pm
Wednesday	1pm - 6pm
Thursday	1pm - 6pm
Friday	1pm - 6pm
Saturday	1pm - 6pm

Telephone

+19195308355

Website

http://www.claymakers.org/

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