Claymakers

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.

🏁 Technique Spotlight 🏁 We've been seeing the fruits of the nerikomi class's labor coming out of the kilns recently! 🏁 N...
06/18/2026

🏁 Technique Spotlight 🏁 We've been seeing the fruits of the nerikomi class's labor coming out of the kilns recently! 🏁 Nerikomi is a challenging technique in which colored clays are strategically layered and pressed together to make repeating patterns throughout the clay 🏁 We can't wait to what else the nerikomi homies come up with! 🏁

We want to share that there has been a change that may affect clays you use here at Claymakers. Commercial clays are mad...
06/16/2026

We want to share that there has been a change that may affect clays you use here at Claymakers. Commercial clays are made of mined materials, and that those natural resources can vary over time. Redart, a red clay material, is being mined from a new seam may cause variation in the fired color of clay bodies that contain it.

Standard Clay shares the following information:
" While the physical properties of the clay remain within our acceptable specifications, changes in raw material chemistry and mineral composition may influence glaze interaction and final fired appearance. This change may or may not affect your production. We recommend customers perform production testing to confirm glaze fit, surface response, and finished fired color prior to use in regular manufacturing. Hopefully this is a short-term change and the bodies will be back to normal in the near future. We appreciate your understanding and will provide updates as additional information becomes available."

This affects the following Standard clays that we carry: 112, 214, 378, 547

Board chair Jessica Sandford knows that for many of us, the arts are not optional.  As makers, dreamers, and community m...
06/13/2026

Board chair Jessica Sandford knows that for many of us, the arts are not optional. As makers, dreamers, and community members, we are most fulfilled when our hands are touching clay.

Of her monthly donation, Jessica says "it gives me a chance to support something I truly value: each month, I'm saying ‘yes’ to a space I love and cherish. For an organization like us, that kind of steady yes is what allows us to build something bigger."

Join Jessica and help us build something bigger here at Claymakers by becoming a sustaining donor. We can't wait to see what people are making in the next 25, 50, or 100 years here at Claymakers.

⚱   Do BIG POTS intrigue you?  Join this one-of-a-kind summer intensive workshop with Seagrove potter David Stuempfle!  ...
06/11/2026

⚱ Do BIG POTS intrigue you? Join this one-of-a-kind summer intensive workshop with Seagrove potter David Stuempfle! Learn how to make a large pot on the wheel using a coil & paddle technique with David--- strength not required, as he will instruct on healthy hand and body postures that don't cause strain.

⚱ Friday July 17th- Sunday July 19th. More details and signup can be found at www.claymakers.org/classes

⚱ David Stuempfle is a renowned potter known for his large pieces and expertise in wood firing processes. He has taught and exhibited extensively, including at Penland and Peter's Valley, the Mint Museum and many international shows.

If you know Claymakers, you probably know Liz Paley.  She's worn just about every hat possible here: student, instructor...
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.

Do you want to learn the magic of commercial underglaze transfers? This process makes crisp lines and distinctive imager...
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

Scholarship applications are OPEN, now through Sunday, June 21st!If you are a Durham resident who identifies as BIPOC or...
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.

🏳️‍🌈Happy Pride Month!  We are excited to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community with a lighthearted evening of GAYmes.  Join ...
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

Supporting a creative space like Claymakers doesn’t have to be a big, one-time decision—for Megan Meyer, who has been a ...
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!

We are so excited to announce our Summer Intensives series.  Three epic NC potters with many skills to share will join u...
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!

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

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