Glen Echo Pottery — Local services in Glen Echo

A Cautionary Tale. I signed up for pottery classes at Glen Echo last year. The classes are held in yurts that I was told were built in the early 1970's and were meant to last for five years but are now historically significant. The yurt where the pottery wheels are is basically a yurt within a yurt with a few wheels and student shelving in the upper level. The steps are extremely steep with a vertical pipe to hold onto. I was coming down the steps when I fell and injured myself. I'd been told to be careful. I thought I was. The ground outside was wet and there was moisture on the steps which might have been a contributing factor. I don't know. In the short time I was there I heard about another fall. I ended up needing spinal fusion (L4-L5) and now have chronic back pain, leg weakness, balance issues and a permanent limp. The teacher was great and I love gas firing but I consider the yurts...

I have taken classes for the past 5 years at Glen Echo Pottery. It is a very welcoming and friendly environment. Everyone is super helpful at every level. Teaching of beginners is pretty hands on and, as you progress, you are able to work by yourself, asking for help and advice only when you need it. There is a very generous amount of free, open-studio time. The overall cost of the pottery is low, I think because there is a lot of volunteerism amongst the students. I find the pottery has become an important part of my life. I can't imagine...

I’ve been taking classes (on different days, times, handbuilding as well as wheel) at GEP for over fifteen years and have not encountered the environment of the previous reviewer. The yurt is cleaned on a frequent basis and not abnormally dusty for a pottery studio. It is also one of the most welcoming communities with which I’ve ever been associated. It is a community of volunteers. The potters are generous with their time and experience to help if necessary. To the reviewer, I’m sorry you...