Pottery Classes in Rochester NY
Learn wheel-throwing & handbuilding in small, friendly classes
Discover hands‑on pottery classes, including wheel‑throwing, hand-building, and open studio time in a bright, friendly studio centrally located in Rochester NY. Enjoy our relaxing atmosphere, expert instruction, and affordable, all-inclusive pricing with pottery lessons for all levels of experience.
Featured Pottery Classes & Workshops
Have fun learning the basics of throwing on the wheel with your partner (or special friend). In this workshop we will teach how to center, throw, and create a simple shape on the electric wheel. Decorate your creation with underglazes, or choose a glaze from our selection and we will glaze it for you. Taught by Christin Bentley
This class is suitable for folks with no previous, or limited ceramic experience. Those with previous experience are also welcome. Pieces will be fired and ready for pickup about 7-10 days after workshop
Choose from the dates listed below. $140 Price is per couple or 2 people. Couples ages 16 and up.
Refresh your pottery wheel throwing skills, or try the electric wheel for the first time. This pottery class you is suited for beginners and pottery students who want to polish up their basic skills on the wheel. Learn to center, pull up a cylinder, trim, and glaze your pieces. This class is taught by Christin Bentley, a Rochester potter and experienced wheel teacher.
Price includes clay, glazes and firing. (Additional clay is available for purchase) Limited to 6 people.
Join us for this fun, intro to hand-building ceramics class (folks with some experience are always welcome too). In this structured class, you will learn 3 basic hand-building techniques, including, pinch-pots, slab-building and coil-building and decorating & glazing your work. Students with more experience, may work independently with assistance from Zara when needed. (This is class does not teach throwing on the wheel.)
Zara Bronwyn Davis is a ceramic and fine artist, working and teaching in Rochester New York. She graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2019 with a BFA in ceramics. Zara was a Flower City Arts Center resident artist for three years, where she refined her skills and developed her current body of work. During 2020 she also began a small jewelry business, selling hand-painted ceramic jewelry locally (Shop One RIT and the Memorial Art Gallery) and online.
Zara has incorporated her love of painting, drawing, jewelry and fiber arts into her wider ceramics practice. Her work is intricate, detail oriented and aimed at showing the sumptuous nature of the body and strength of femininity. Recently, she has delved into the intersection between history, religion, storytelling and mythology – more specifically, the fascinating and frustrating portrayal of women in these domains.
Zara has taught a variety of classes and ages, enjoying the range of creativity and ingenuity each offer. Being multidisciplinary, Zara has taught an array of classes in ceramics, jewelry and mixed media. She especially enjoys encouraging and showing students how to incorporate multiple mediums to create pieces that are wholly unique. You may view Zara’s work on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/zarabronwyn_/
Price includes 25lbs. of clay, dipping and brushing glazes, and firings. (Additional clay is available for purchase for $20/25lbs.)
Looking for a comfortable place where you can develop your ceramics skills? The Saturday Open Studio is a perfect fit for folks with previous experience in ceramics who wish to work independently making pottery in Rochester NY. Whether you’re throwing on an electric wheel or hand building with clay — the tools, clay, equipment and glazes are all included in the class cost. Although there is no formal instruction in the open studios, assistance is available when you from an experienced ceramist when you need it. (Sorry, no production please.)
Price includes 25lbs. of clay, glazes (including our own unique studio glazes) and firing. (Additional clay is available for purchase for $20/25lbs.) Up to 1 make up class is allowed per 6 week session.
Cell phone policy:
We ask that all students wear headphones if they wish the listen to music, etc. during class. We also require phones be put on silent mode during class time. If you need to take a phone call, please step out into the hall.
Thank you, these policies ensure a relaxing experience for all of us!
Why Choose Little Sparrow Ceramics for your next pottery workshop or class?
Five‑star reviews — consistently rated among as one of the best places to take a pottery class in Rochester NY
Small class sizes and individual attention max 10 students for most classes (except special workshops)
Expert, friendly instructors who guide beginners and support experienced ceramicists
All materials provided: cone‑6 Laguna stoneware, glazes, and tools
Bright studio with ample work space, 7 electric wheels, and generous hand‑building tables
Beginning Pottery Classes
New to clay? Our Rochester NY pottery classes include both, hand‑building and wheel‑throwing courses that walk you through every step — from centering the clay to trimming and glazing. Perfect for first‑timers who want a supportive, hands‑on learning experience.
Open Studio in Ceramics
Prefer to work independently? Our 5‑hour Open Studio sessions give experienced students uninterrupted studio time with instructor support available as needed.
Clay Workshops & Private Events
We offer project‑driven workshops, gel printing classes, private lessons for groups of 6+, and corporate team‑building events. For private groups and special events, please contact us at least 30 days in advance of date of event. Call 585‑730‑0766 to discuss group bookings and pricing.
Our Studio Experience
Little Sparrow is a calm, creative refuge from daily stress. We keep the atmosphere relaxed and focused — please set phones to silent during class to help everyone enjoy a peaceful experience.
Purchase Ceramics
Our Gallery/Gift Store is open Thursdays and Saturdays, 11:00–4:00, or by appointment. Holiday hours may vary — PLEASE CALL AHEAD to confirm.
Sign up for a Pottery Class
Check our Rochester NY pottery class catalog for beginner and advanced wheel-throwing, hand-building, and workshops
Reviews for Little Sparrow Ceramics
Jennifer G.
I began taking one on one wheel lessons with Jonah… Flash forward, a year and Little Sparrows open studio is my weekly refuge. It has everything I would want to produce my colorful, quirky cups and mugs with cat decor and occasionally the more traditional piece. I share the time and space with an eclectic and kind group of artists and we all draw inspiration from each other. Margaret is both an incredibly talented artist and a fun and approachable person happy to share her knowledge. So thrilled I found this place!
Rene L.
I love my time in this bright studio packed with tools, glazes, help and camaraderie! Time goes by too fast! I can’t wait to go back each week. There is every level of talent and individuality is celebrated.
Erin C.
Margaret and Jonah are incredibly talented ceramic artists; they share their knowledge and experience generously. The studio is beautiful, the vibe is inspiring and extremely pleasant. I have had so much fun learning how to build ceramic sculptures with their guidance and encouragement!
John W.
I had no ceramics experience before taking classes at Little Sparrow and I had a great time and created some really beautiful mugs, bowls and other creations over the course of 6 classes with guidance from Peggy and Jonah. I really appreciated the freedom to experiment and play while having guidance available on request. I highly recommend this studio!
Meaghan Shields
Little Sparrow is a jewel, I am so glad I found the studio. It is a beautiful, light-filled space with everything available to students. I have been to open studio, Jonah's wheel class and a hand building class and they were all fantastic. While I am very much a beginner I saw people of all skill levels. Margaret is an accessible and supportive resource, and if my schedule were more flexible I would be there more often!
Do you have a question?
Please feel free to reach out to us anytime! We’re happy to provide information about upcoming classes, workshops, or purchasing art work. (You may also visit our FAQs for general questions)