The Clay Date — Local services in New Haven

My friend and I just completed the Adult Pottery Wheel Class and this class was truly excellent! But not just the class, the studio itself is wonderful.

I am not a "real" beginner (I took a couple community pottery classes 20 years ago) but that didn't matter. Anybody could start where they are in this class.

Dave (with Gabbie's help) taught the class with just the right amount of instruction.

Additionally, the quality of the studio's pre-built work to paint is great (I can't wait to glaze my own Halloween skull and Christmas tree!) and the atmosphere is relaxed and inviting. (I've been to an adult birthday party there that was great!)

There are three qualities I really liked about this studio (yes, I have been to others in the area):

A real sense of comfort and lack of pretension there. This is a family-run business and the people are welcoming and want you to feel at home.

Organized. There is a LOT to keeping all those clays and glazes and fired pieces organized. Jess and her team really seemed to have it down and know what was where at all time and who was doing what when.

Experience + Flexibility. I put these two together because once you know your way around a business you realize that different customers have different needs. Jess exuded competence and compassion.

Most of all I want to say this: while I was at the studio working with the clay, my mind was completely engrossed with the task. It was a great therapeutic escape from the stresses of daily life.

I recommend The Clay Date all the way. Lots of parking, lovely people, next to Starbucks, right off the highway, extremely fair prices, and a great escape...

It was my first time attempting this kind of painting medium. I went with a couple family members, and remarkably, each one of us really took to it. It slowed us all down and really made us mindful of what we were doing. I'm not saying it was a Zen experience, but it made me realize how creating art can really change your perspective. As for the place itself, it was really clean, the supplies you need are exactly in one section & perfectly labeled, so you knew exactly where the exact color you needed was. Plus, they provide you with a color wheel/necklace, so this shows you exactly what the color you're using will look like after it's been glazed and fired. It's quite amazing that even though I thought my painted figurine would look horrible afterwards. But when I got it back, it was actually quite good for a beginner. So if you go, it is definitely worth it to bring your friends, family, and children too. It'll slow you all down and make you appreciate the little details, and will actually help you bond with them. Also, they have pottery wheels for the more experienced so you can make your own pottery from clay they can provide or you provide. And, they have classes to sign up for as well! I definitely will be returning since, it was an experience that you can't quite describe in words, but you can definitely...

We hosted my sons 7th birthday at The Clay Date. I highly recommend this place, BUT it may not be the best for rambunctious kiddos who would rather run around hah. I can't say enough good things about the instructor, Erica, she was so patient, calm, informative and really just all around the best. I was stressed and felt so bad because the kid's were being kid's and all over the place, thankfully Erica understood and didn't make me feel worse than I was already feeling 😅 The kids pieces turned out beautifully!! If you do decide to host a kid's birthday party, make sure to order the pizza sooner rather than later because this is not the kind of place you want hyper kiddos getting bored at(after they were done painting) I also want to add that I had emailed the clay date a few days before the party with a few questions and instead of emailing back,the owner,Kristina called me within a few hours and answered all of my questions plus some. 10/10 for the staff, cleanliness, art options ect. I can't wait to have a date night and...