Clay By The Bay Pottery Studios — Attraction in San Francisco

I was really looking forward to taking an introductory pottery class at Clay by the Bay, but my experience was far from what I had hoped for. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was unwelcoming. Our instructor, Conrad, was not just unhelpful—he was downright rude. Instead of guiding us through the process, he made fun of our attempts, rather than offering constructive feedback. Whenever we asked questions, he would get visibly irritated, blaming us for not recording his initial demonstration.

He refused to teach us step by step, claiming there were too many people in the class to do so, even though there were only 12 of us. If that’s too many, the class size should have been reduced. But instead of addressing this, Conrad made it clear that he had no interest in helping us learn, leading several students to stop attending altogether. The lack of support and encouragement was incredibly discouraging, especially for a beginner like me who was eager to learn.

The unwelcoming vibe extended beyond the classroom. The owner, Eleanor, wasn’t much better. The piece I was most proud of—a mug I spent a lot of time on—came back broken. After putting in even more time to repair it, the studio managed to lose it completely. Their careless handling of our work was disheartening, and the entire process felt chaotic and unorganized.

I left the class feeling more frustrated than fulfilled. Clay by the Bay is not a place where you can feel comfortable, learn something new, or take pride in your work. I would strongly recommend finding a studio where the instructors are supportive and the environment is welcoming. Save your time,...

I chose to take my first pottery class with this studio this past spring and ended the course extremely disappointed. As one reviewer pointed out, the class was not at the location that I originally enrolled in and lacked running water the first week.

I had a friendly instructor but it was their first time teaching a course and it showed. I wanted to extend grace to a first timer but I felt like the cost didn’t match the instruction I expected to receive. Several times, I heard people next to me ask what we were supposed to be doing. This lack of clear guidance was frustrating and made me dread going to class. I only kept going because I had already paid and I hoped things would improve. Unfortunately they didn’t and I left the class feeling pretty discouraged.

I also have to add that I didn’t find the environment of the studio very welcoming. I missed a class due to illness and when I called to see if I could makeup a class, the person was very short and sounded annoyed.

I think there are very talented people at this studio but I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone seeking a beginner friendly course.

Fortunately, I recently gave another studio a try and had the complete opposite experience. The environment was so friendly, positive, and encouraging that I’m now considering...

As an avid enthusiast of the pottery arts, I was thrilled to begin classes at Clay by the bay . Unfortunately, my excitement was short-lived due to the instructor's (Diane) lack of engagement and discriminatory behavior. Despite my eagerness to learn and improve, I found myself repeatedly ignored when requesting assistance. My questions went unanswered, and my progress stalled as I struggled with the same issues, watching others receive the guidance I so desperately sought. This consistent neglect not only hindered my learning but also left me feeling discriminated against--a sentiment no student should ever have to endure. The Diana's indifference to my pleas for help was disheartening and ultimately led me to make the difficult decision to leave the class. I had hoped for a supportive environment where passion for pottery is matched with equal opportunity for instruction. Regrettably, this was not the case. I am now seeking a refund for the remainder of my sessions, a decision I never imagined I'd have to make when I first set foot in the studio. For those considering Clay by the Bay , please be aware of these challenges. An art studio should be a place of learning and growth, not frustration and...