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You are here: Home / Education / Experience Classes

Experience Classes

View of a dozen Students in an Experience Class

A relaxing tactile experience

Whether you’re looking to experience clay for the first time or are seeking a fun filled creative activity — our Experience Classes offer hands-on learning for a variety of student types, abilities, and interests. Be it a themed class like Date Night With Clay, a privately scheduled business retreat, a school field trip, or a nonprofit partnership — no matter the group type, in two hours, you’ll discover a creative outlet sure to bring a relaxing tactile experience.

Experience classes are 2 hour classes that meet once.  Students can expect to make a project during their class, which we will then glaze and fire.  Pieces made in Experience Classes are typically ready for pick up two weeks after their event.

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Dirty Date Night

November 7th, Friday, 6-8 PM

Looking for a date night that’s muddy, fun, and results in a handmade pot of your very own!? Join us at The Bray for a couples throwing night that’s sure to energize any relationship. Romance NOT required, bring your partner, spouse, or friend to this crash course on the wheel. Ages 18+

$55 per person

Learn More / Register Here

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Family Ornament Making

November 22nd, Saturday, 2-4pm

Create your very own handmade holiday ornaments in this family friendly class! Cut, carve, texture, and color your way to individualized ornaments perfect for decorating your home or giving as unique gifts.

*Parents/Guardians Please Note: this is a family class NOT a youth class. Please register to attend with participants under the age of 16. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation!*

$45 per person

Learn More / Register Here

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Bray Clay Throwdown

November 22, Saturday, 6-8 PM

Test your skills, push your creative limits and try your hand at the pottery wheel in this energy filled clay class at The Bray. We won’t judge the results but we do except a good time to be had by all! Ages 16+

$55 per person

Learn More / Register Here

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Dirty Date Night

December 5th, Friday, 6-8 PM

Looking for a date night that’s muddy, fun, and results in a handmade pot of your very own!? Join us at The Bray for a couples throwing night that’s sure to energize any relationship. Romance NOT required, bring your partner, spouse, or friend to this crash course on the wheel. Ages 18+

$55 per person

Learn More / Register Here

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Coffee and Clay

December 6th, Saturday, 10-12 PM

Develop your wheel-throwing skills while creating your very own functional coffee mug and connecting with good company. BYO coffee, pastries, and other snacks are welcome! Ages 16+

$55 per person

Learn More / Register Here

Students work on the wheel

Dirty Date Night

December 10th, Wednesday, 6-8 PM

Looking for a date night that’s muddy, fun, and results in a handmade pot of your very own!? Join us at The Bray for a couples throwing night that’s sure to energize any relationship. Romance NOT required, bring your partner, spouse, or friend to this crash course on the wheel. Ages 18+

$55 per person

Learn More / Register Here

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Valentine's Day Dirty Date Night

February 13th, Friday, 6-8 PM

Looking for a date night that’s muddy, fun, and results in a handmade pot of your very own!? Join us at The Bray for a couples throwing night that’s sure to energize any relationship. Romance NOT required, bring your partner, spouse, or friend to this crash course on the wheel. Ages 18+

$55 per person

Learn More / Register Here

Feb 14 DDN

Valentine's Day Dirty Date Night

February 14th, Saturday, 6-8 PM

Looking for a date night that’s muddy, fun, and results in a handmade pot of your very own!? Join us at The Bray for a couples throwing night that’s sure to energize any relationship. Romance NOT required, bring your partner, spouse, or friend to this crash course on the wheel. Ages 18+

$55 per person

Learn More / Register Here

Previous Classes offered Below; Fall/Winter 2025 Coming Soon!

Students work on the wheel

Dirty Date Night

Looking for a date night that’s muddy, fun, and results in a handmade pot of your very own!? Join us at The Bray for a couples throwing night that’s sure to energize any relationship. Romance NOT required, bring your partner, spouse, or friend to this crash course on the wheel. Ages 18+

ArchieBray-Education-51

Bray Clay Throwdown

Test your skills, push your creative limits and try your hand at the pottery wheel in this energy filled clay class at The Bray. We won’t judge the results but we do except a good time to be had by all! Ages 16+

Ornaments

Family Ornament Making

Create your very own handmade holiday ornaments in this family friendly class! Cut, carve, texture, and color your way to individualized ornaments perfect for decorating your home or giving as unique gifts.

IMG_3615

Coffee and Clay

Develop your wheel-throwing skills while creating your very own functional coffee mug and connecting with good company. BYO coffee, pastries, and other snacks are welcome! Ages 16+

Clay_II

Hand Built Cup or Mug

Create a custom cup or mug right in time for gift giving season while experiencing the relaxing and pleasant process of hand building in clay. Treat yourself or your loved ones to a handmade object that can be enjoyed on a daily basis! Ages 16+

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Pottery Spin

Learn the foundations of how to throw on the pottery wheel. Discover what terms like centering, opening, pulling, compressing, and shaping mean all while becoming aware of how the clay responds to your hands touch. Ages 16+

Costs and Options

Our Experience Classes are $55 per student which includes instructional time, supplies, and all material and firing costs.  If you are unable to pick up your pieces and need them shipped, shipping is available (fees apply).

If you're a nonprofit or school group, please check out our Engagement Programming for discounted rates and tailormade programs!

Types of Experiences:

  • Handbuilding

    Create a bowl, cup, mug, plate, vase, or sculptural item in a Handbuilding Experience Class!  Your instructor will give you step by step guidance so you're sure to have a good time and go home (after the processing period) with a fully functional or decorative piece of art!

  • Wheel Throwing

    Less about product and more about process, a Wheel Throwing Experience class is a great way to discover what the pottery wheel has to offer.  This experience requires an open mind and a good attitude as the wheel is harder than it looks, but is oh so much fun!

  • Tailor-Made

    Customize an experience that meets your class or groups objectives! 

    • Tailor an experience class to align with student curriculum or special subjects in your classroom
      • Example: Creating habitats out of clay!
    • Tailor an experience to build teambuilding and communication
      • Example: A two-person wheel throwing experience!
    • And so much more
      • work with our Education Manager to develop an experience that's right for you! education@archiebray.org
    • To schedule your group (of 6 or more), please email us with your desired date, time, and any special accommodations.
      • A minimum of 2 weeks advance notice is required.  

FAQ

Do I need to have previous experience?

No - our Experience Classes are a great way to experience clay for the first time!

What do I need to bring?

Yourself and some clothes you don't mind getting dirty (although everything we'll use will come out in the wash).

Where are the classes and where do I park?

All classes are located on the main floor of the Frances Senska Center for Education and Engagement, # 8 on the Bray_Map

Parking is available in front of the main offices and between the Education and Research Facility and the Warehouse Gallery.  

Past Experience Classes

_LQBTQ Slab Bowl Edition

LGBTQ+ Clay At The Bray; Slab Bowls

July 11th, Tuesday, 6-8pm

Join the Bray for a night of creative exploration in clay! Make your very own functional bowl, while enjoying community and conversation. Open to and reserved as a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. Ages 16+

REGISTRATION CLOSED

_LGBTQ Cup or Mug

LGBTQ+ Clay At The Bray; Cup or Mug

August 12th, Saturday, 2-4pm

Join the Bray for a night of creative exploration in clay! Make a unique cup or mug, while enjoying community and conversation. Open to and reserved as a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals. Ages 16+

REGISTRATION CLOSED

ArchieBray-Education-49

Fathers and Others; Cups and Mugs

June 1st, Saturday, 2-4pm

Get ready for Fathers day and join us at The Bray for a special Fathers and Others Cups and Mugs family class! Create a one of a kind, slab built and hand decorated mug or cup that is sure to impress any father figure in your life.  Ages 9+

REGISTRATION CLOSED

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Mothers and Others; Raku

May 27th, Saturday, 4-6pm

Step into the world of Raku Firing in this unique Mothers and Others family class at The Bray! We've made the pieces ahead of time so you get to pick out two pieces that speak to you, glaze them to be uniquely yours and experience the fun and excitement of Raku Firing. An exhilarating class for Ages 6+ right in time for Fathers Day.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

_Identity Vessel

Sgraffito Inside; Identity Vessels

PREVIOUSLY OCCURED

A fun class for anyone looking to expand their surface decorating techniques, explore narrative hand built forms, or get their hands in clay for the first time! Create and decorate a small vessel inspired by artist, Grayson Perry. Ages 16+

_Comics on Clay, Vase Edition

Comics on Clay; Vase Edition

PREVIOUSLY OCCURED

Take two of this class delivers the same awesome ideas of Comics on Clay; Tile Edition but this time around you’ll be creating and decorating your very own, custom vase! Ages 16+

_Comics on Clay Tile Edition

Comics on Clay; Tile Edition

PREVIOUSLY OCCURED

Merge the fascinating worlds of comics and clay in this exciting class! Learn about historical instances of comic-like imagery on ceramics and create your very own decorated ceramic tile(s). Ages 16+

_Fantastic Castles

Fantastic Castles for Kids

PREVIOUSLY OCCURED

Step into the enchanting realm of narrative sculpture! Craft a fortress or castle sculpture fit for a fairy tale using paper patterns in this whimsical introduction to ceramics.  Ages 9-12.

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Holiday Ornament Making

PREVIOUSLY OCCURED

Cut, stamp, and carve to create your very own custom ornaments out of clay! Find inspiration from the holiday, tradition, or season that best suits you as you learn through demonstration, examples, and hands on guidance in this fun and relaxing class. A must not miss for anyone looking to level up their holiday decor.  Ages 16+

_Pints and Pals Drinking Vessels

Pints & Pals; Drinking Vessels on the Wheel

PREVIOUSLY OCCURED

Develop your wheel-throwing skills to create a fun and functional beer-drinking vessel while connecting with good company and enjoying your BYOB! Ages 21+

Dirty-Date-Night

Dirty Date Night

PREVIOUSLY OCCURED

Looking for a date night that’s muddy, fun, and results in a handmade bowl of your very own!? Join us at The Bray for a couples throwing night that’s sure to energize any relationship. Romance NOT required, bring your partner, spouse, or friend to this crash course on the wheel. Ages 18+

Personal forming a vase on a clay wheel

Education Resources

  • B-Icon-stool-Green@2x
    Take a virtual class
  • B-Icon-ring-Gold@2x
    Discover our John C. Board Research Library
  • B-Icon-PodcastNetwork@2x
    Listen to podcasts on the brickyard network
  • B-Icon-Kiln-Aqua@2x
    Explore our grounds
  • B-Icon-Wheel-Maroon@2x
    Unearth your materials!
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