Throwing Mud Gallery — Attraction in Tacoma

Amazing instruction, amazing results! I took the "Try It" class and then, wanting to take the six week beginner's course, I got on the waiting list. It took several months for me to get into a class, the classes are small in size which means you get a lot of personal one on one with an instructor, either Mark or Zhenya, quite often both are present for instruction. This is a pottery studio in which the instructors WANT you to succeed. The first four weeks are the main weeks for working with the clay to construct pottery on the wheel, as well as a class on working with clay that is not on the wheel. This is very intensive. Get ready to get clay on your hands and there are many intricacies that are taught which if you receive, you can learn to construct a beautiful bowl on the wheel in only four weeks. The last two classes are for trimming and glazing. Both instructors are extremely talented, Mark is an expert who is full of dedication and years of experience and giving instruction and he eagerly desires students to really understand and learn - he wants you to go home with a new skill! Zhenya adds that refreshing easy-going happiness and sweetness with dedicated and caring professional instruction. I was present for Mark and Zhenya's teaching in person, this is a very small class setting so much ability to achieve hands-on learning. There are videos online and those give you an idea of what you'll be doing on the wheel in advance. There are other visual examples as well, as well as some other diagrams/pictures and more and there is additional studio time. **This is the course that if colleges had these kind of instructors, many students would achieve great pottery in a very short time. The duration of time is one class per week for six weeks... Plus - your own time in their studio. Put it all together and the foundation for pottery here is excellent. At times it is intense, definitely getting A TON OF INSTRUCTION for the cost - definite VALUE in this course. The instructors do an amazing job at pouring tons of information/education into the limited class time & the studio time is your time in the studio to sit down and take your time and try out what you've been learning. Instructors desire to help YOU succeed in learn to make beautiful pottery!. Thank you...

I love my time in the studio. Great owners, great fellow potters! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I've been coming here for classes for 7+ months now and it's my favorite past time, for sure. This studio literally has everything you could possibly want and need to make your pieces. Mark is a great teacher. It's also fun to watch him on the wheel-he is amazingly talented. Another thing I really appreciate about Mark is if you aren't getting the right technique or skill one way (ME), he will do his damnest to find a way to teach you in a way that makes sense for the student. Whether you want to learn the wheel or hand building, I highly recommend this wonderful shop in old Town Tacoma. There is plenty of parking and I always feel safe in the area. The studio is kept clean and orderly which I really appreciate. So many pluses to this studio! Don't hesitate, just come try it out, I am sure you won't regret it. Thank you, Mark and Eileen for continuing to make this a special place to...

I had to sadly stop attending classes due to military obligations. The instructor is very knowledgeable and will even joke with you about the process and steps to help you remember. The pottery classes are self-paced and what you put into it is what you'll get out of it. The only complaint or frustration i have with the way the pottery classes are setup is that once you've past your beginning course you usually sign up for another class to advance more. However, the amount of attentiveness you'll receive will be less than your first due to another wave of new students coming into the class. They have Open studio times for you to practice on your own or even teach yourself. Just walk in and start with having fun with the clay. I hope this review is helpful and detailed what...