Clay Club DROP-IN

Clay Club offers an affordable, fun, and inclusive space for individuals to learn fundamental ceramic hand-building techniques. All proceeds benefit Good Neighbour's free clothing store, which provides clothing, food, and other essential items to those in need.

Clay Club Drop-in happens every Monday and Wednesday from 6:30-8:30 PM and Sundays from 1:00-3:00 PM

• You will receive hands-on assistance from our facilitator as needed. However, we do not offer structured lessons or specific project teachings. Previous experience with clay may come in handy.
• If you are looking for more structured and in-depth learning, please check out our 4-week beginner hand-building course or 6-week intermediate hand-building course!
• Clay Club is designed for you to bring your own creative ideas and is focused on independent practice.
• (If you have purchased the "one-time drop-in ticket, the following DOESN'T apply) Once you have finished making your pieces, they will be stored on our shelves until you are ready to return and paint them. For optimal results, we recommend applying underglaze when the clay is bone dry, it takes about a week for the clay to completely dry. While you can paint your pieces when they are still wet, the colors may not be as vibrant or opaque. Please note that all pieces must be painted/fully finished before we proceed with firing. Alternatively, you may choose to have your pieces fired as-is, without painting. If you decide to wait for your pieces to dry first and paint on a later date, you will have to pre-register by purchasing our $20 ticket option.
• We have all the tools and supplies needed to create, however, you’re welcome to bring your own tools.
• We ask that you complete your projects within 2 months of your initial start date as we have limited shelving space. We understand life can get busy, so please let us know if you're unable to return right away so we can accommodate you.

• We fire all completed work at the end of the month to keep costs low. All pieces will be fired at the end of each month.
• Example: If you finish your pieces in November, they will be fired after the last Clay Club session of the month.
• Firing and glazing ceramics is a time-consuming process, so it may take up to four weeks to complete all firings after the monthly cut-off date.
• We will notify you via email once your pieces are fired and ready for pick-up.
• As a private studio, we are only open to the public during scheduled class and event times. Our email will include specific days and times available for picking up your work.

Option One:

• Red + Purple Ticket

With this option, you will have to schedule two separate sessions (at least one week in between). With the red ticket, you will receive up to 2 LBS of clay and have 2 hours to make some pieces.

The purple ticket will allow you to return to our studio to paint your pieces once they are dry (we will not fire or touch your work during this time). It is best to paint the clay with underglazes once the clay is dry- it absorbs the colour much better and results in more vibrant and opaque colours.

Option Two:

• One-time Drop-in

With this option, you can try us out and see if our club is something you’d like to commit to! The one-time drop-in provides you with 1.5 LBS of clay, 1.5 hours to create, and 30 minutes to paint your work with coloured slip. Coloured slip is essentially wet clay with coloured oxides mixed into it, making it easy to paint your work while it’s still wet. The finished results may look different from the first option, but it is still a great way to try out the hand-building process, or if you’re not sure you can come back a second time.

Option Three:

• Blue + Purple Ticket

With this option, you can bring your own clay and schedule for two separate sessions (at least a week in between) to come back and paint your work. The clay must be cone 6, acceptable clay brands are: Plainsman, Tucker’s, and PSH.

You can purchase a bag or a box of clay through us. We make regular trips to Ceramics Canada; therefore, we can pick up your clay and any other materials for you. Just email us at [email protected]. Check out Ceramics Canada’s website to view the catalog for clay options and prices!

Option Four:

• Walk-in

Not sure if you can make it until the last minute? That’s okay! You can just come on in. Drop-ins are first-come first first-served due to limited seats and can be paid at the door.

Please provide at least 24 hours notice so we can fill your spot. Tickets are final sale and non-refundable but can be transferred to future dates.

Any questions? Feel free to send any inquiries to [email protected]

Host or Publisher Clay Club YYC