Pottery Workshops in San Diego
Fall in love with our ceramics and pottery studio in San Diego
Learn to Throw on the Wheel and Hand Build in Pottery Classes
Seee our monthly pottery workshops in San Diego, designed for absolute beginners as well as folks who haven’t thrown in a long while and need a refresher.
If you’re seeking a single session of creativity, join us for a workshop, and learn to hand build a sculpture or vase and/or try throwing pottery on the wheel for the first time! If you want to focus on the wheel only, try out wheel-only workshop and get a thorough overview from centering through pulling walls.
“The art of pottery is learning to center yourself, coax earth into art, and turn intention to stone.”
Interested in deepening your pottery skills? Check out our 5 class series for a comprehensive learning experience or explore our pottery memberships to become part of our thriving community.
Don’t Miss These Upcoming Workshops
Wreath Making Workshop
9:00am – 11:00am PST
December Specialty Workshop: Wreath Making
All materials included.
Celebrate the season with a festive, hands-on workshop where you’ll design and build your own custom winter wreath using fresh greenery, natural accents, and decorative elements. Whether you love classic evergreen charm, boho-inspired textures, or a touch of modern sparkle, our instructors will guide you step-by-step as you craft a one-of-a-kind wreath for your home—or a beautiful handmade gift!
Paint Night: Disco Ball Workshop
6:00pm - 8:00pm PST
New Year’s Celebratory Paint Night: Disco Ball Edition
Ring in the new year with sparkle and creativity at The Artist Outpost! Join us for a festive paint night where you’ll create your own dazzling disco ball on a round canvas—perfect for celebrating in style. Light refreshments will be served, and guests are invited to BYO bubbly to toast the evening. Gather your friends, sip, paint, and shine your way into 2026!
Resin Art: Cutting Boards & Coasters
7:00pm – 9:00pm PST
Resin Pouring Workshop: Cutting Boards & Coasters
Create something beautiful and functional in this hands-on resin workshop focused on custom cutting boards and coasters. Learn how to mix, tint, and pour resin to create stunning marbled patterns, shimmering metallics, or ocean-inspired designs. Using high-quality materials and professional techniques, you’ll craft pieces that are both eye-catching and practical—perfect for entertaining or gifting. Add your own creative flair with colors, textures, and finishes that make every piece uniquely yours!
Paint Your Own Vinyl Record
7:00pm – 9:00pm PST
Paint Your Own Record Night
Turn up the creativity and transform a real vinyl record into a one-of-a-kind piece of art! In this fun, laid-back workshop, you’ll use gesso, acrylics, paint pens, stencils, and spray paint to design your own album-inspired masterpiece. Go bold and graphic or dreamy and abstract as you explore layering, color, and texture with guidance from our instructors. No experience needed—just good vibes, great music, and all the paint you need to bring your vision to life!
Clay Handbuilding Workshop: Salad Bowls
9:00am – 11:30am PST
Clay Handbuilding Workshop: Coil-Built Salad Bowls
Get your hands in the clay and create a beautiful, functional work of art! In this relaxed handbuilding workshop, you’ll learn the coil-building technique to craft your own custom salad bowl. Our instructors will guide you step-by-step as you roll, stack, and shape coils, then smooth, sculpt, and add decorative details to make your piece uniquely yours. Perfect for both beginners and experienced makers, this class offers a calming and creative start to your day. Finished bowls will be professionally fired and glazed—ready for pickup in a few weeks and perfect for serving or display.
Oversized Abstract Art Painting Workshop
7:00pm – 9:00pm PST
Abstract Oversized Art Workshop
Go big and bold in this expressive workshop where you’ll create your own large-scale abstract painting on canvas! Explore color, texture, and movement as our instructors guide you through layering techniques using brushes, palette knives, and mixed media. With no rules and no pressure, this is your chance to loosen up, experiment, and design a statement piece that’s uniquely yours. Perfect for all levels, this workshop celebrates freedom, flow, and fearless self-expression.
Hand Painted Hat Workshop
10:00am – 12:00pm PST
Hand-Painted Hat Workshop
Design your own wearable statement piece in this stylish DIY wide-brim hat painting workshop! With all materials provided, you’ll use acrylics, paint pens, and stencils to create a custom hat that reflects your unique style—boho, bold, minimalist, or anything in between. Our instructors will guide you through design ideas, color palettes, and painting techniques to help bring your vision to life. Perfect for a creative outing, girls’ day, or adding an artistic touch to your wardrobe!
Clay Teapots - Handbuilding Workshop
6:30pm – 9:00pm PST
Clay Handbuilding Workshop: Custom Teapots
Join us for a creative clay workshop where you’ll design and build your own custom teapot from start to finish! Using classic handbuilding techniques—slab, coil, and sculpting—you’ll shape, assemble, and personalize your piece with texture, details, and your own artistic flair. Our instructors will guide you step-by-step to help you balance form and function while exploring different options for handles, lids, and spouts. Finished teapots will be professionally fired and glazed, ready for pickup in a few weeks—perfect for everyday use or as a beautiful handmade keepsake.
Resin - Trays & Trinkets
7:00pm – 9:00pm PST
Resin Pouring Workshop: Trays & Trinkets
Get ready to mix, pour, and shine in this hands-on resin workshop where you’ll create your own custom trays and trinket dishes using high-quality silicone molds. Explore color blending, metallic accents, and decorative inclusions as you design pieces that reflect your style—sleek, swirled, sparkly, or beautifully minimalist. Our instructors will guide you through each step, from mixing and tinting to pouring and adding those perfect finishing touches. Ideal for beginners and experienced makers alike, this workshop is all about creativity with a touch of luxury.
Pottery Workshops
Hand Building and Wheel Throwing Workshops
Learn to Hand Build AND Throw on the Wheel | $85
Discover the art of shaping beautiful forms like vases, trays, or sculptures. Learn building blocks like slabs, pinch pots, or coils. AND try throwing pottery on the wheel for the first time! This is a hands-on experience for about 10-minutes, pulling and compressing walls from pre-centered clay. These one-off workshops are perfect for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Learn to Throw on the Wheel | $75
Find your new obsession with our focused, wheel throwing only workshop. With expert guidance, learn all the essentials of centering, establishing a floor, compressing, and pulling walls to shape your pottery. Pick two pieces to fire in the kiln. Space is limited to 8 to ensure personalized attention.
Ceramic Mug Painting Workshops
Paint a Ceramic Mug | $30
Get Cozy. Get Creative. Get Sippin’.
Ready to paint your own pottery? Come unwind with us at The Artist Outpost for our Ceramic Mug Painting Workshop—a relaxed, open-ended creative experience for ages 0 to 18+. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned doodler, you’ll love this chance to make something both beautiful and functional.
Pick your oversized ceramic mug and explore a wide range of colorful underglazes. Paint bold patterns, cute creatures, abstract art—or whatever your imagination dreams up. You’ll work independently, but our friendly instructors are always nearby for tips and support. After painting, we’ll glaze and kiln-fire your masterpiece so it’s fully food-safe and ready for your morning coffee (lead time is about 4 weeks).
Gift Creativity!
Purchase a gift card today and unlock a world of artistic possibilities for anyone in your life. Ideal for any occasion, our gift cards allow the recipient to choose their favorite art class at their convenience.
POTTERY FAQs
What can I expect to learn in a wheel throwing class?
Our wheel throwing classes focus on foundational techniques such as centering clay, pulling walls, making cylinders, and creating various forms like bowls, cups, and vases. Ideal for beginners and seasoned crafters, our classes also cover trimming, handle pulling, and multiple glazing techniques. Explore the joy of throwing on the pottery wheel with us and start making your own pots and plates!
How can beginners benefit from Artist Outpost pottery classes?
Beginners find our classes particularly helpful due to the personalized teaching approach. Our experienced instructors offer various methods for each pottery stage, accommodating different strengths and preferences. Whether you’re interested in making simple pots or intricate slab projects, our classes provide the expert guidance you need.
What are common pottery challenges and how can I avoid them?
Typical challenges include removing air bubbles to prevent bursting during firing and ensuring pieces are bone dry before bisque firing. Our classes teach essential skills like proper clay wedging, drying techniques, and glaze application to prevent cracking and other common issues. Join us for a session to learn these crucial practices!
What are some beginner-friendly pottery projects?
Start your pottery journey by creating functional items such as pinch pots, coil pots, and small hand-built vessels. Our beginner workshops are perfect for learning these basic techniques in a friendly, supportive environment. Perfect for a friend’s night out or a mom’s night out!
What basic techniques will I learn in pottery making?
Learn core pottery techniques including hand-building with clay methods like pinching, coiling, and slab building, as well as throwing on the wheel. Our classes cater to all skill levels and are great for anyone looking to make friends and learn in a communal setting.
Learn these techniques and more at our pottery classes near you in Ocean Beach, CA at The Artist Outpost.
What are the different stages of clay in pottery making?
Clay goes through several stages, from pliable to bone dry, bisque fired, and finally glaze fired. Understand each phase in our comprehensive classes and see how your creations transform from clay to finished, glazed art.
Which types of clay can I work with at The Artist Outpost?
We offer a variety of clays including earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Each type is suited for different projects and firing temperatures, which you can explore in our diverse class offerings.
To explore these different clays, attend our pottery classes in Ocean Beach, CA at The Artist Outpost.
What are some creative date night or group activity options at The Artist Outpost?
Join our pottery workshops for a unique date night or a fun girls’ night out. Our sessions offer a relaxed atmosphere where you can learn, create, and socialize. Make cups, plates, or any project you fancy while enjoying a memorable night with loved ones.
Can I make functional art in your classes?
Absolutely! Learn to handbuild and glaze functional pieces such as dinnerware, decorative vases, and unique sculptures. Our workshops provide all the materials and instruction needed for both beginners and experienced crafters.
How can I join a pottery meetup or workshop?
Check our class schedule to find upcoming workshops and meetups that fit your interests. Whether you’re looking to make coil pots, throw clay on the wheel, or try your hand at glazing, our studio is the place to be for all pottery enthusiasts in San Diego.
Why Join Our Pottery Classes in San Diego?
Join a Thriving Pottery Community in San Diego, CA
Experience the tactile joy and challenge of expressing yourself through the art of pottery at The Artist Outpost. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, our studio provides the perfect setting for you to delve into the world of clay and ceramics.
Here’s why you should join us:
Creative Community
Become part of a vibrant community of artists and pottery enthusiasts in San Diego. Our classes offer more than just skill development; they are a place to connect with others who share your passion for creating beautiful, functional art.
Explore and Grow
We offer a variety of pottery classes, from introductory workshops where you can mold your first piece to advanced series that delve into complex techniques and large-scale projects. No matter your skill level, there's always a new technique to master or a new design to try!
Expert Guidance
Our instructors are not only passionate about pottery but are also seasoned artisans dedicated to the craft. They provide personalized attention and detailed guidance, ensuring you learn the proper techniques and feel confident in your abilities to create stunning ceramic art.
