Explore Vancouver Pottery Classes & Workshops at Community Clay
Discover the best Vancouver pottery classes and workshops at Community Clay, your local hub for Vancouver ceramics. Whether you're a beginner looking to try wheel throwing pottery or an experienced artist refining your craft, our welcoming, fully-equipped studio in Mount Pleasant has the perfect space for you. We offer hand-building, glazing, and specialized pottery courses designed to help you develop your skills at your own pace. Join our vibrant Vancouver ceramics community today!
Please multiple the length (longest side) x height of the item in inches. Please round up as you are already getting a significant discount of firing fees.
Purchase the number of your total.
Example:
Bowl 4" x 4" = 16" Total- $4
Mug 3" x 4" = 12" Total- $3
Total amount to add to card- 28 TOTAL= $7
Please purchase the amount, and reply to your order confirmation email with a photo of your items.
Glazing & Firing Fee
Regular price
$8.00
This is for items glazed in the Glaze Workshops, or Glaze Lab.
A wareboard is 18" x 9" x 3"
If an item is over, count it twice. Ie- a 9" x 9" x 5" bowl, count it twice. The bowl is considered one wareboard.
Price includes firing of glaze items.
For Members using the Glaze Lab, please write your order number on your firing tag.
Rejected items: If your item is reject please refer to the Glaze Firing Notice on the shelf, fix the concern and return item(s) to the shelf to be fired. Please ensure you have a firing tag with your item(s).
Pick up- Your items will be fired within 3-5 business days of glazing, unless we are having issues with the kiln. You will NOT receive an email when your items have been Bisque fired, and you will have one week to collect your work. We recommend collecting your items as soon as possible so they are not taken by someone else accidentally. Not collecting your items within one week may delay us from firing other people's work as we will not have space to unload firings. We reserve the right to toss any items that linger beyond the week deadline, however this happens rarely. If you need help collecting your work please click here. Please note you are not allowed to send non-students/members to collect your items for you.
Community Clay can not guarantee the success of your fired items, and we will do our best to ensure your items make it through safely. You are responsible for managing your work, and Community will not be held responsible for lost, misplaced, stolen or broken work.
Private Handbuilding Workshop
Regular price
$450.00
Before Purchasing
Please contact us to confirm scheduling availability prior to booking.
2-Hour Workshop
Please arrive promptly at your scheduled start time. The instructor will begin with a demonstration based on the item(s) your group will be making.
The last 20 minutes of the workshop are dedicated to clean-up.
Each participant is able to keep one small item. If you’d like to make larger or additional pieces, upgrade options are available during the workshop.
3-Hour Workshop
When you arrive, you’ll start with a meet and greet for the first 30 minutes while everything is being set up. The instructor will then guide you through a series of demonstrations to get you started.
Each participant may keep up to two items.
Studio Notes
While we do our best to care for all work, please note there is no guarantee that every piece will survive the firings — sometimes it’s up to the kiln gods. 🙏 Items will be trimmed, glazed, and fired for you. Your finished pieces will be ready for pickup in approximately 6–8 weeks.
Please be aware that we may have dogs on the premises and use essential oil diffusers in the studio. If you have any allergies or sensitivities, kindly notify us before your class.
By attending classes and open studios you agree and understand that in connection with your participation in any event or activity, you may be exposed to a variety of hazards and risks, foreseen or unforeseen, which may or not be inherent to those activities and events. The risks include, but are not limited to the dangers of personal injury, property damage, property loss, and death. Community Clay has not tried to contradict or minimize your understanding of these risks. By entering into the studio, you and your party agree and understand that injuries and damages can occur by natural causes, or by the acts of other persons or third parties, either as an act of negligence or because of other reasons. You are personally responsible for all costs and/or risks associated with any public or private event or activity. Notwithstanding anything herein, to the fullest extent allowed by law, you agree to waive, discharge claims, release from all liability and indemnify and hold harmless Community Clay, its organizers, hosts, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers. agents, volunteers, and other partners and employees, from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from injuries and damages in any way connected to events and activities. You agree and understand that this waiver and release will be binding upon your heirs, executors, agents, administrators, and assigns, and will include any minors accompanying users at the events. Your participation in this private event & affiliated activities is at your sole and exclusive risk. Community Clay may refuse admittance, may charge the admission fee, or ask you to leave at any time for any reason.
Tickets are non-refundable. Please note that Community Clay is under no obligation to refund part, or all of class price if you can not, or do not attend.
Glaze Firing Fee
Regular price
$8.00
A wareboard is 9 x 18 x 3.8"
This is for firing only, if you are not glazing your items or have used your own glazes.
Rejected items: If your item is reject please refer to the Glaze Firing Notice on the shelf, fix the concern and return item(s) to the shelf to be fired. Please ensure you have a firing tag with your item(s).
Pick up- Your items will be fired within 3-5 business days of glazing, unless we are having issues with the kiln. You will NOT receive an email when your items have been Bisque fired, and you will have one week to collect your work. We recommend collecting your items as soon as possible so they are not taken by someone else accidentally. Not collecting your items within one week may delay us from firing other people's work as we will not have space to unload firings. We reserve the right to toss any items that linger beyond the week deadline, however this happens rarely. If you need help collecting your work please click here. Please note you are not allowed to send non-students/members to collect your items for you.
Community Clay can not guarantee the success of your fired items, and we will do our best to ensure your items make it through safely. You are responsible for managing your work, and Community will not be held responsible for lost, misplaced, stolen or broken work.
Open Studio Clay & Firing
Regular price
$10.00
This listing is for Firing, and clay used for Open Studios. The Supervisor will go over charges with you upon arrival.
Beige speckled (maybe?) cone 6 stoneware. A blend of all our clay bodies for a beautiful taupe colour (hopefully.) Should look nice with John's Blue or Seafoam Chun.
Please be advised that this is recycled clay, and there may be foreign objects in the clay. We do our best to check the clay, but sometimes objects sneak through. By purchasing this clay you agree to wave Community Clay Inc. of any liability of injury or death.
Community Clay can not guarantee the success of your fired items, and we will do our best to ensure your items make it through safely. You are responsible for managing your work, and Community will not be held responsible for lost, misplaced, stolen or broken work.
Pottery at Home Firing Fees
Regular price
$8.00
Bisque & Glaze Firing Guidelines – Community Clay
Bisque and glaze firing are essential steps in the ceramic process, transforming your raw clay pieces into finished pottery. To ensure a smooth and efficient firing experience, please follow these stacking, handling, and pickup guidelines.
Bisque Firing Guidelines
Bisque firing is the first stage of firing, turning dried clay into durable, porous bisqueware that’s ready for glazing.
Wareboard Allotment & Stacking Guidelines
Each wareboard measures 9" x 18" x 3.5", and you may stack items to maximize space. How you stack items on the wareboard is how they will be fired.
Stacking Best Practices
⚠ Improper stacking may cause cracking, fusing, or distortion. Follow these recommendations to protect your work:
✔ Nesting Safely – Ensure rims do not touch. Items that sit snugly inside another’s rim may fuse together during firing. ✔ Match Item Weight – Avoid placing a heavy piece inside or on top of a thin or delicate one. ✔ Consider Clay Body Differences – Different clay bodies shrink at different rates. Leave extra space between different types of clay. ✔ Mind Dark & Light Clays – Dark clay bodies may mark lighter ones. Keep them separate. ✔ Underglaze Precautions – Underglazes may transfer onto nearby items. We will leave extra space around these pieces to prevent affecting other members' work.
Glaze Firing Guidelines
Glaze-fired items may NOT be stacked, so when planning your firing fees, ensure your pieces are placed next to each other on the wareboard.
Glazing Options
🎨 Glaze Selection: You will choose your glaze color at drop-off. To preview available glaze colors, visit our Instagram.
✔ Underglaze Users: If you've applied underglaze, we will apply a clear glaze to seal your work. ✔ No Glaze Option: If you prefer no glaze, select "Glaze Firing (No Glaze)" when submitting your piece.
Firing Pickup Process
📩 Notification Email: You will receive an email once your pieces have been bisque-fired, along with a booking link to schedule your pickup appointment.
Important Firing Disclaimer
While Community Clay takes the utmost care in handling and firing your work, we cannot guarantee successful outcomes. The final result depends on factors such as:
Clay composition
Drying time
Stacking choices
Kiln conditions
By following these guidelines, you help create a seamless firing experience for everyone in our ceramics community.
🌀 Thank you for being part of Community Clay! 🎨
Firing Services
Regular price
$10.00
Firing Services for Non-Members / Non-Students
This fee is for artists who are not Members or Students of Community Clay but wish to have items fired in our kilns. All clay must be purchased from Community Clay to be eligible for firing.
When you arrive, please fill out the Firing Form provided. Include:
Your first and last name
Your chop mark
Your order number
Wareboards without completed forms will not be fired.
Wareboard size: 8” × 18” × 3” tall This pricing is approximate and based on space used. Items may be any size or shape — we’ll review sizing and costing together when you arrive. Please do not prepay for firing.
Note: Plates or other low items are considered a minimum of 3” tall due to shelf spacing requirements.
All greenware must be completely bone dry before drop-off. You may stack greenware- I will go over this with you at drop off. Due to flashing, I do not recommend stacking items with underglaze.
If an item explodes in the kiln due to moisture, a kiln cleaning fee of $50 will apply.
If the wrong clay body or temperature is used, you will be responsible for all damages, including replacement costs for the kiln if necessary.
Bisque firings are done to cone 04.
For alternate temperatures, please email to arrange.
Glaze Firing
If you’re using your own glazes, please email product links for approval before drop-off. No stacking.
We strongly recommend testing glazes first, as results can vary between kilns (similar to how baking differs between ovens). You can make test tiles or fire a small sample bowl with all your glazes applied.
If you are using underglazes, please test them with your (or our) clear glaze.
We glaze fire to a hot cone 5.
If you’d like to use Community Clay glazes, you can either:
Attend a Glaze Workshop, or
Have Gabrielle glaze your items for you. Gabrielle’s glazing fee depends on the time required ($10–$100) plus the glaze and firing fee.
Payment & Refunds
Firing fees are due at drop-off and are non-refundable, even if pieces crack, warp, or break during the firing process. If a piece damages the kiln (e.g., due to glaze run-off or incorrect clay temperature), the artist will be responsible for associated cleaning or repair costs.
If ongoing support is required in person or via email, additional admin fees will be required.
Glaze Testing & Approval
All glazes and underglazes must be suitable for cone 5–6 mid-fire temperatures. Please test glazes before using them on large or complex work — you may include small test tiles at no charge. Glazes that run, bubble, or damage kiln shelves will incur a cleaning fee of $25–$100.
Damaged or Broken Work
We handle all items with care, but pottery is fragile and unpredictable in the kiln. Cracked or broken pieces will still incur the full firing fee, as kiln space and materials were used during the process.
After firing, you’ll receive an email when your items have been bisque fired — typically within 2–10 business days of drop-off. Please use the link above to collect your work within one week of receiving the firing email.
We recommend picking up as soon as possible to prevent damage or loss. Remember to bring your own packaging when collecting work.
Community Clay reserves the right to dispose of items left beyond the one-week deadline, though this is rarely enforced.
Work Collection by Proxy
If you cannot collect your work personally, you may arrange Work Collection. This service must be paid for in advance and is charged per box (maximum 15 items per box). Please email photos of your pieces, and once they’re ready, you’ll receive a booking link for pick-up.
Studio Etiquette
The door locks promptly at the start of each class. Please do not attempt to enter once classes begin.
Please do not knock or disrupt Members or Staff during class time — you will be turned away. (No exceptions.)
Liability
Community Clay cannot guarantee the success of fired work. While we do our best to ensure safe handling, you are responsible for your own pieces. Community Clay is not responsible for lost, misplaced, stolen, or broken items.
Agreement
By dropping off work at Community Clay, you acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions outlined above.
Kiln Maintenance Fee
Regular price
$5.00
At Community Clay, we prioritize the safety of our equipment, the integrity of members' work, and the smooth operation of our shared studio space. To maintain these standards, a $50 Kiln Vacuuming & Maintenance Fee will be applied in cases where improper firing preparation leads to kiln incidents.
This fee covers the additional time, labour, and materials required to:
Fully clean and vacuum the kiln after explosions caused by wet or improperly prepared pieces.
Address potential damage or contamination affecting other members' work.
Ensure the kiln is safe and operational for future firings.
When Does This Fee Apply?
If wet or overly thick items are placed on the bisque shelf and result in damage during firing.
If glaze drips, incorrect use of cookies, or other preventable errors cause damage to kiln shelves or equipment.
Any instance where failure to follow studio firing protocols creates additional maintenance work beyond standard operations.
How to Avoid This Fee:
Ensure all pieces are fully bone dry before placing them on the firing shelf. Items should no longer feel cool or damp to the touch.
Use cookies appropriately when glazing, especially for pieces with fluid glazes.
If unsure about readiness, thickness, or glazing technique, please consult a Supervisor during Arrival Time—we’re happy to help!
Follow all guidelines outlined in the Community Clay Studio Protocol regarding firing preparation.
Why This Policy Exists:
Kiln incidents not only risk damaging your own work but also:
Jeopardize other members' pieces in shared firings.
Cause wear and tear on expensive, sensitive equipment.
Lead to delays in firing schedules for the whole community.
This fee helps offset the operational impact and ensures we can continue offering an accessible, well-maintained space for everyone.
If you have any questions about this policy or need clarification on best practices, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're here to support your growth while maintaining a respectful and responsible studio environment.
Thank you for helping us keep Community Clay a safe and inspiring place to create!
Firing Services- Large Items & Kiln Firings
Regular price
$1.00
Firing Services for Non-Members and Non-Students
This service is for artists who are not Members or Students of Community Clay but wish to have items fired in our kilns. All clay must be purchased from Community Clay to qualify for firing. Click here to purchase clay.
Preparing for Drop-Off
For ease of drop-off, please have a list of your items and their sizes ready to fill out our firing form upon arrival.
Bisque items must be completely BONE DRY. If an item explodes in the kiln due to moisture, a $50 kiln cleaning fee will apply.
If items are made with the wrong clay temperature, you will be charged for all damages, including kiln replacement if necessary.
We fire Bisque to cone 04 and Glaze to a hot cone 5. If you would like a different temperature, please email in advance.
Glazed items that drip onto kiln shelves will incur a cleaning fee of $25–$100.
Glaze Approval
If you’re using your own glazes, please email links to the products for approval before drop-off. Only mid-fire cone 5–6 glazes are permitted. We strongly recommend testing glazes before use, as results can vary between kilns. Any glaze that runs, bubbles, or damages kiln shelves will result in a cleaning fee ($25–$100).
If you’d like to use Community Clay’s glazes, you may either:
Attend a Glaze Workshop, or
Request Gabrielle’s glazing service ($10–$100 depending on time required, plus glaze and firing fees).
Pricing per Inch
On the firing form provided, please record the width, length, and height of each piece. Then multiply the total square inches by the rate below to calculate the cost:
Bisque Firing: Square Inches × $0.04
Glaze Firing (using your own glazes): Square Inches × $0.06 Glaze not included.
Note: Plates or low items are considered 3” tall due to shelf spacing requirements.
After calculating all items, round up and add the Admin Fee to your total.
Custom quotes are available for oversized work or special projects — please contact us for details.
Kiln Rental
We offer half and full kiln rentals. The sizing below refers to the bottom (first) shelf. We can add up to 5–6 shelves depending on your work; please note that each shelf requires 2x2" posts. Half firings may be arranged vertically or horizontally, depending on your pieces.
Bisque Kiln: Approximately 27" wide, accommodating items up to 19" tall.
Glaze Kiln: Approximately 21" wide, accommodating items up to 24" tall. (We can also bisque fire in the glaze kiln for larger pieces — please inquire for pricing.)
Turnaround Time
Average turnaround time is 2–10 business days, depending on studio capacity and kiln scheduling. Please note that rush firing is not available at this time.
After firing, you’ll receive an email when your items have been bisque fired — typically within 2–10 business days of drop-off.
Please collect your work within one week of receiving your firing email.
We recommend picking up as soon as possible to prevent damage or loss. Remember to bring your own packaging when collecting your items.
Community Clay reserves the right to dispose of items left beyond the one-week deadline, though this is rarely enforced.
Work Collection by Proxy
If you cannot collect your work personally, you may arrange for Work Collection. This service must be paid for in advance and is charged per box (maximum 15 items per box).
Please email photos of your pieces, and once they’re ready, you’ll receive a booking link for pick-up.
Payment & Refunds
Firing fees are due upon drop-off and are non-refundable, even if items crack, warp, or break during firing.
If a piece damages the kiln, the artist is responsible for related cleaning or repair costs.
Damaged or Broken Work
We handle all pieces with care, but pottery is fragile and unpredictable in the kiln. Cracked or broken pieces will still incur the full firing fee, as the space and materials were used during the process.
Studio Etiquette
The door locks promptly at the start of each class. Please do not attempt to enter once classes have begun.
Please do not knock or disrupt Members or Staff during class times — you will be turned away. (No exceptions.)
As an artist and instructor, Gabrielle is not at a computer from Friday–Monday, so responses may be delayed during that time. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Liability
Community Clay cannot guarantee the success of any fired items. While we do our best to ensure safe handling, you are responsible for your own work. Community Clay is not responsible for lost, misplaced, stolen, or broken items.
Agreement
By dropping off work at Community Clay, you agree to all terms and conditions outlined above.