Tribeca Clayworks at the Downtown Community Center
Tribeca Clayworks, the first clay studio in Tribeca, has been conducting ceramics classes for the past 30 years. Now housed at the Downtown Community Center, we offer classes for all ages from toddlers to adults. Our classes are taught by professional ceramic artists in our fully-equipped ceramics studio. With pottery wheels, slab rollers, clay extruders, electric kilns and lots of space to work, our classes are designed for all levels.
Our class sizes are kept small so that sessions can be structured around the individual student. Classes are specially designed for each age group and level. Depending on the class there will be demonstrations of new skills and fun projects. Beginner students are given simple projects ranging from functional items such as cups, plates, and bowls to sculptures large and small while learning basic skills. Adult students, that have more experience, can work on their own projects. Our instructors help guide students down whichever path they choose while introducing new techniques and processes to the whole class along the way. We would love to help you explore this very special medium.
Adult Classes:
In our fully equipped ceramic studio we offer classes in both the Pottery Wheel and Handbuilding that are designed for all levels. If you are curious about ceramics and new to the art, our 4 week workshops are a great introduction to working with clay. We also offer semester long sessions where you will have the opportunity to learn all the possibilties of working with clay. For more information on schedules and fees, please contact Susan Kay, Director of Ceramics: susan@manhattanyouth.org
Adult Ceramics Sessions
Spring 2025 Semester
April 6th - June 27th
Registration Will Open March 6th
Register here
POTTERY WHEEL AND HANDBUILDING
This course will cover many aspects of working on the pottery wheel, handbuilding, glazing/surface and design. Whether you are interested in functional or sculpture work, you will get individual attention according to your skill level and interests. The classes are structured with demonstrations and information sharing. There will be plenty of time to work on your own during class, as well as uninstructed open studio hours for enrolled students. Students are required to have their own pottery tools which can either be purchased through Tribeca Clay and other ceramic supply stores. We use a variety of low fire clay. We have a large selection of dipping and commercial paint on glazes.
SESSION 1: Monday classes (All Levels) 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Spring: (10 CLASSES): 4/7, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 6/2, 6/9, 6/16, 6/23
Tuition: 10 class session $600 Additional non-refundable minimum $45 fee towards firing.
TOTAL $645
Optional: Additional fee: $10 for basic pottery tool kit (all students are required to have their own tools)
** There will be additional charges for work done after minimum fee is used up, (priced at .06 cents per cubic inch per piece for 2 firings).
SESSION 2: Tuesday (All Levels) 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Spring (11 CLASSES): 4/8, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24
Tuition: 11 class session $660 Additional non-refundable minimum $45 fee towards firing.
TOTAL $705
Optional: Additional fee: $10 for basic pottery tool kit (all students are required to have their own tools)
** There will be additional charges for work done after minimum fee is used up, (priced at .06 cents per cubic inch per piece for 2 firings).
Session 3: Tuesday (All Levels): 10:30AM-1:00PM
Spring (11 CLASSES): 4/8, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24
Tuition: 11 class session $660 Additional non-refundable minimum $45 fee towards firing.
TOTAL $705
Optional: Additional fee: $10 for basic pottery tool kit (all students are required to have their own tools) ** There will be additional charges for work done after minimum fee is used up, (priced at .06 cents per cubic inch per piece for 2 firings).
SESSION 4: Wednesday classes (All Levels) 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Spring (11 CLASSES): 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25
Tuition: 11 class session $660. Additional non-refundable minimum $45 fee towards firing.
TOTAL $705
Optional: Additional fee: $10 for basic pottery tool kit (all students are required to have their own tools)
** There will be additional charges for work done after minimum fee is used up, (priced at .06 cents per cubic inch per piece for 2 firings).
SESSION 5: Wednesday (All Levels) 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Spring (11 CLASSES): 4/9, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25
Tuition: 11 class session $660. Additional non-refundable minimum $45 fee towards firing.
TOTAL $705
Optional: Additional fee: $10 for basic pottery tool kit (all students are required to have their own tools)
** There will be additional charges for work done after minimum fee is used up, (priced at .06 cents per cubic inch per piece for 2 firings).
SESSION 6: Sunday (All Levels) 10:30 AM - 1:00PM
Spring (10 CLASSES) : 4/6, 4/13, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/26
Tuition: 10 class session $600 Additional non-refundable minimum $45 fee towards firing.
TOTAL $645
Optional: Additional fee: $10 for basic pottery tool kit (all students are required to have their own tools)
** There will be additional charges for work done after minimum fee is used up, (priced at .06 cents per cubic inch per piece for 2 firings).
HANDBUILDING AND SURFACE
Handbuilding is an ancient pottery-making technique that involves creating forms without a pottery wheel, using the hands, fingers, and simple tools for a wide range of creativity.
This class will also explore many surface decoration and finishing techniques. Surface treatments can occur at any stage of the ceramic process. On wet clay creating textures with stamps, lace, shape aids etc. /leather hard stage you can carve, scratch and apply many underglaze techniques. Once your piece is fired and ready to be glazed going beyond dipping, pouring and brushing glazes onto your work, you’ll find the alternatives to surface decoration using glaze pencils, watercolor, image transfer ,stencils, wax resist and more.
Students are required to have their own pottery tools which can either be purchased through Tribeca Clay and other ceramic supply stores. We will be introducing Terra Cotta Red Clay in addition to our white and mocha clay bodies.
Session 7: Thursday (All Levels) 6:30 PM - 9:00PM
Spring (10 CLASSES) : 4/10, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29, 6/5, 6/12, 6/26
Tuition: 7 class session $600. Additional non-refundable minimum $45 fee towards firing.
TOTAL $645
Optional: Additional fee: $10 for basic pottery tool kit (all students are required to have their own tools)
** There will be additional charges for work done after minimum fee is used up, (priced at .06 cents per cubic inch per piece for 2 firings).
Cancellation Policy
Full semester session
To request a cancellation and refund, you must email susan@manhattanyouth.org. Refunds requested more than one week prior to the first class are refundable tuition minus $100 administration fee. Refunds requested within one week of the first class are 50% refundable. There will be no refunds once the class begins under any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to a later semester. We cannot be flexible on this policy for any reason. Should a class not fill sufficiently, we may cancel it one week prior to the first class session.
MISSED CLASSES
We realize that you may have to miss a class from time to time, however, we do not issue reimbursements or provide make-up classes for those missed due to student illness or other circumstances that fall outside the Centers control. You may not attend another class as an alternate make-up class. We do not prorate for missed classes. We encourage you to make up your missed time during the numerous open studio sessions.
Ceramic Workshops
Adult Workshops
These workshops are for those with little or no experience with clay. They are designed to introduce you to the basics and the best way to start working with clay. It helps to take the Intro to Handbuilding class when you are interested in more, like the pottery wheel. Our class sizes are kept small so that sessions can be structured aroud the individual student.
INTRODUCTION TO THE POTTERY WHEEL -3 WEEK WORKSHOP
Never used the pottery wheel before? This 3 week workshop will introduce you to the basics of throwing clay. You will have a chance to take a spin through the process. There will be demonstrations, drills, and one on one support. In the first two weeks you will make and trim the vessels. In the third week you will glaze your work. There is a two week turnaround to pick up your finished piece. Ages 18 and up.
Saturday 10:00AM - 12:30PM
| PS 5 | 4/12 4/26, 5/3 |
| PS 6 | 5/10, 5/17, 5/31 |
| PS 7 | 6/7, 6/14, 6/21 |
Tuition: 3 week session $180. Additional non-refundable minimum $20 fee towards firing. TOTAL $200
Register Here
INTRO TO HANDBUILDING 3 week WORKSHOP
Handbuilding is an ancient pottery-making technique that involves creating forms without a pottery wheel, using the hands, fingers, and simple tools. This class will introduce the basic handbuilding techniques used to build functional pottery forms. The class will focus mostly on slab building techniques using bisque molds and stamps, but will also cover the basics of pinch pots and coil building. No previous experience in clay is needed for this class. The first 2 classes you will be building your projects and the 3rd class you will glaze. There is a 2 week turnaround before pick up. Ages 18 and up.
Wednesday 6:30pm- 9:00pm
| WS 5 | 4/9, 4/23, 4/30 |
| WS 6 | 5/7, 5/14, 5/21 |
| WS 7 | 5/28, 6/4, 6/11 |
Tuition: 3 week session $180. Additional non-refundable minimum $20 fee towards firing. TOTAL $200
Register Here
HANDBUILDING AND POTTERY WHEEL ONE DAY SAMPLER (AGES 12 AND UP)
Want to try out working with clay? In this class you will get a feel for handbuilding, an important technique to understand the material. Many clay artists use this method to make all inds of funcional and sculpture work. You will also get a chance to take a spin on the pottery wheel. Having a taste of both will give you an idea of both options to see if it's for you, without a long commitment to a full session. Ages 12 and up. Please note that you will not create a finished piece to take home in this class.
Sunday 1:30PM -4:00PM
4/6, 4/13, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15
Tuition: Single Session $70
Register Here
Cancellation Policy
Full semester session
To request a cancellation and refund, you must email susan@manhattanyouth.org. Refunds requested more than one week prior to the first class are refundable tuition minus $75 administration fee. Refunds requested within one week of the first class are 50% refundable. There will be no refunds once the class begins under any circumstance, nor can we transfer you to a later semester. We cannot be flexible on this policy for any reason. Should a class not fill sufficiently, we may cancel it one week prior to the first class session.
MISSED CLASSES
We realize that you may have to miss a class from time to time, however, we do not issue reimbursements or provide make-up classes for those missed due to student illness or other circumstances that fall outside the Centers control. You may not attend another class as an alternate make-up class. We do not prorate for missed classes. We encourage you to make up your missed time during the numerous open studio sessions.
Toddler & Family Ceramics
Sensory Ceramics
Using air dry clay and art supplies, make a ceramic creation as unique as you are!
Mondays 10:15AM, 11:15 AM
Wednesdays 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM
Included in Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center membership.
Family Clay Day
Spend an hour with your whole family in our ceramics studio. You can be led through a project or simply work on your own handbuilding project with access to our full ceramics studio. All pieces will remain in the studio to be fired and will be ready for pick up within two weeks time. All work is non-toxic and food-safe. All ages!
Saturdays in the Art Room
After School Classes
Please visit our Downtown Community Center After School Page for more information, and to register your child today!