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What We Do

Clay Studio

paint splatter

Our goal in the Clay Studio at Stumptown Art Studio is to provide access to clay and ceramic education to people of all experience levels, styles, and backgrounds. We want to maintain a space that allows as many folks as possible to work with clay.

Comprehensive mid-fire glaze sample tile board

In Studio Equipment

  • 5 electric wheels 
  • 1 three-segment Skutt kiln 
  • 1 small Paragon test kiln 
  • 2 sinks with clay-traps 
  • Large hand-building worktable 
  • Wedging table
  • Extruder 
  • Slab Roller 

We provide a variety of communal tools, molds, and storage space for pots in progress. Assorted clay tools are available for purchase in our retail section by the front desk. Our glaze area offers ten standard studio glazes, demonstrated on a 100-tile glaze combination test board, as well as an assortment of color slips and underglaze paints, and a small selection of rotating glazes.

Our instructors offer a variety of classes, workshops, and events aiming to provide knowledge on a broad range of subject matter. Our most popular classes are our monthly intro-to-clay workshops, where we cover both handbuilding and wheel throwing at a beginner level, and guided single-session handbuilding classes for kids, teens and adults in which we make a different project each month.  We also host events like no-experience-needed drop-in throwing sessions, and intermediate  workshops exploring specific clay techniques. 

Our weekly drop-in studio hours are ideal for individuals who have taken a multi-week class, and/or have experience working independently in a clay studio. If you can prep, work/manage your own pots, and clean up in our community studio, get in touch about coming to our open studio hours. 

For information about classes and recurring Studio events check the event calendar below and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and announcements.  

Private Lessons: We offer private lessons for individuals and groups, including repeat classes, project planning, specific techniques, or casual group pottery sessions. 

To schedule a private lesson or general inquires, use the Contact Form to "Ask Our Clay Studio Manager" or call (406).862.5929

Firing Policy & Clay: We source our clay from The Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT. Both studio workers and home creators can buy clay from our stock or request orders through the studio. Firing service is also available for work created outside of our studio. Our regular firing schedule processes work within 10 days of receiving items. 

  • Monthly throwing events offered for all abilities!
    Monthly throwing events offered for all abilities!

Please Note: The clay studio at Stumptown Art Studio is situated down a flight of stairs and occupies a limited space.  This may pose challenges for individuals using mobility aids, service animals, those sensitive to dust, or those at elevated risk for Covid-19. Whenever possible, we host single-session clay events in the main  paint-your-own-pottery area upstairs however, multi-week classes and wheel events are typically held in our basement studio. 

As an organization dedicated to education and as artists committed to sharing our craft, we are actively working to make our studio, classes, and access to clay more accessible to communities often excluded  from ceramics. Please contact our Clay Studio Manager to inquire about specific accommodations or if  physical or financial obstacles hinder your ability to work with clay.


 

Ask Our Clay Studio Manager
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Thank You to the Following Organizations for Helping us Go & Grow for 30 Years!

  • Whitefish Community Foundation
  • Montana Arts Council
  • Montana Non-Profit Association

Made by Hand: Sculpting on Thrown Cups

Wednesday, June 25th 6:30-9pm
Stumptown Art Studio
145 Central Ave
Whitefish, MT 59937
US

Another round of our monthly handbuilding nights! These step-by-step guided projects take you from a ball of clay, through building with assorted pottery techniques. For this class we will have a variety of pre-made wheel thrown cup forms for your to work on with different sculpting and surface design methods.

Work is completed in one session, fired, and ready for pickup roughly 3 weeks after the event. This 16+ event series is hosted on our back patio in warm/lighter months (weather permitting), or in our main floor creation space. Zero experience needed, super beginner friendly!

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