Private Parties at Northern Clay Center

Let’s celebrate!

Looking for something different for your next birthday, team gathering, family get-together, or celebration?

One family recently joined us at Northern Clay Center for their daughter’s birthday. Most of the group spent the party learning to throw on the wheel, while a few younger attendees worked with handbuilding. Teaching artist Ari guided the group through the process, and afterward, everyone painted their pieces before using our break room for treats and presents.

“This definitely created a core memory for my daughter,” the parent shared.

A Creative Alternative to the Usual Gathering

Private pottery parties give groups a chance to spend time together while learning something new. Whether you’re planning a birthday, team outing, anniversary, family gathering, or school event, our teaching artists lead the group through a hands-on clay experience designed for both beginners and returning makers.

Choose wheel throwing or handbuilding, depending on your group and the kind of experience you’re looking for. Instructors provide demonstrations, guidance, and all of the materials, while leaving plenty of room for participants to experiment and make the project their own.

For wheel throwing, each participant works at their own wheel and learns the basics of throwing a vessel, keeps up to two finished pieces and chooses a glaze for the final product. Handbuilding workshops introduce participants to techniques such as pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction, with a variety of projects to choose from. No pottery experience is necessary. One group of first-time wheel throwers praised teaching artist Olivia for creating a fun, safe environment and being very enthusiastic while introducing the group to the pottery wheel. For another participant, the experience sparked a new interest: “I think I’ve found a new hobby!”

Something for Every Group

Our private workshops can be tailored to different ages, group sizes, and occasions.

Youth parties are available for ages 6+ for handbuilding and ages 9+ for wheel throwing. Adult and intergenerational groups can choose either format. Handbuilding accommodates up to 15 participants, while wheel throwing accommodates up to 12. For any gathering, you can also add use of our break room for cake, snacks, presents, or extra time with your group.

Your Party Supports Community Outreach

There’s another reason to gather at Northern Clay Center. Revenue from our private parties helps support our community outreach programs, which bring clay experiences and creative learning opportunities to schools, libraries, elder care facilities, nonprofits, and other community spaces throughout the metro.

So while your group is learning to throw or building with slabs, your event is also helping increase access to ceramics and strengthening our community through art and learning.

Youth Private Parties

Adult Private Parties

Interested in planning a private party?

Email juliarodman@northernclaycenter.org to learn more or get started. We look forward to celebrating with you!