Pottery Classes in Rochester NY

Learn wheel-throwing & handbuilding in small, friendly classes

Discover hands‑on pottery classes, wheel‑throwing, handbuilding, and open studio time in our bright, friendly studio in Rochester NY. Small classes, expert instruction in — all levels welcome.

Upcoming Workshops

Date Night on the Wheel! A First Friday Workshop for Couples - 6pm-8pm
$140.00

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.

Lidded Ceramic Box Workshop! Create and decorate ceramic boxes with Zara Bronwyn Davis! Thursday, March 19, 6-8:30
$50.00

Enjoy a relaxing night at Little Sparrow making ceramic boxes. We will instruct you on how to use textures, tools, underglazes and glazes to fashion lidded boxes from clay slabs. After class we will dry and will fire them for you. Boxes are available for pick up about 10 days after class. All materials are included. This class is taught by Zara Bronwyn Davis and suitable for folks with limited or no previous ceramic experience. Those with previous experience are also welcome.

$50 Price is per person. All ages welcome. Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult taking the workshop

Make a Mug Workshop! Create and decorate your own special mug with Zara Bronwyn Davis! Thursday, March 28, 6-8:30
$50.00

Enjoy a night out at Little Sparrow creating a mug from clay slabs with step by step instruction from Zara Davis . Mugs will be dried and fired following the class. Boxes are available for pick up approximately 14 days after class. All materials are included. This class is suitable for folks with limited or no previous ceramic experience. Folks with previous experience are also welcome.

$50 Price is per person. All ages welcome. Under 14 must be accompanied by an adult taking the workshop

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 pottery classes in Rochester NY

  • Small class sizes and individual attention (max 10 students)

  • 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 pottery classes include 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.

    To 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.

A woman with gray hair and glasses shaping a large ceramic sculpture with a tool, surrounded by purple tissue paper in a studio with large windows overlooking green trees.

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

hand-building a large pot.

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!

Ceramic mugs and plate with black cat designs and "Loaf of My Life" text.

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!

woman crafting pottery at table

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.

Two yellow ceramic mugs on a white background

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!

Person shaping clay pottery on a spinning wheel, with tools and brushes on the table.

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)