Kids 'N' Clay Pottery Studio

The wife and I popped in yesterday to get hand and footprints of the kid in clay. I didn't get any names (my bad), but everyone we met was very friendly and complimented the baby (a social must for people with kids). The gentleman with the red bands on his arm was great, and helped us a great deal. For $40 we got his hands and his feet cast, and they should be fired and done in two weeks.

I take one star for the sick one (no sick around kids).

I will update when we get the work back.

So far just one class with my 5-year-old son, but I'm very impressed on multiple fronts. After the initial drop-in class yesterday we purchased weekly classes with the full expectation this initial great experience will only be surpassed.

Husband & wife team Matt and Chelsea (owners) and Matt's sister Stephanie are lovely. It's a really great space and Matt is preternaturally good with younger kids. I shadowed my son for a bit in the studio to observe both my son's behavior in a structured environment and the instructors' teaching style. My son is both young and inherently independent (and often distracted) so this was bound to be revealing.

Matt and Chelsea's approach to teaching is closer to informed guidance and it seems to work very well with my son and the other kids I observed. They let the child initiate their creative intent and then equip them with the technical information they need in a manner that is both empowering and not overwhelming.

As for my son's proclivity to essentially 'not listen,' Matt in particular was excellent at focusing my son's attention on the task at hand and contextualizing what needed to be done so that he could 'own it.' It's clear his forthcoming studio experiences will be about so much more than learning and enjoying ceramics.

This isn't 'OK class today we're going to make a coil-built pot. First I want you to take your clay and...'. Not at all. In an hour and fifteen minutes, my son made two objects in distinctly different techniques: a bowl thrown on the wheel and a slab-built shark. In the course of building those two pieces he was exposed to: centering clay on the wheel; managing the clay to expand, compress, elongate and widen his bowl; keeping his eye on his work; keeping the clay moist; the effects of various pressures applied to the clay on the wheel; scoring and attaching separate pieces with slip; scribing; use of various tools; under-glazing; clean-up, and more. I imagine he'll have to revisit every one of those lessons in subsequent classes but it's a gentle teaching style that works well here.

Matt and Chelsea always had an eye on each of the kids and were great about transitioning between them to give guidance in a way that seemed very natural.

The space itself is wonderful and can only be described as luminous. Well, that and clean. This is not a stereotypical 'mad potter's studio,' nor is it an anal 'everything in its place mausoleum.' Instructors have a clear view of everything going on in the space at all times. There's a front seating for parents/nanny's to hang out (WiFi available) and get some work done if you want to wait. Parking in the neighborhood doesn't seem to be a problem.

The most critical measure of Kids-n-Clay is the reaction from my son, who really didn't want to leave and spoke of it more or less non-stop the rest of the day. Looking forward to what's next here.

If you attend a drop-in class, be aware it takes about 2-3 weeks before pieces cycle through the process and can come home with you. But that's just ceramics.

Highly recommended.

My kid loves this place! The kids can use the pottery wheel or just mold clay on the table. There are assistants there to guide the newer sculptors, and the owner, Matt, encourages the kids to design what they feel.

My daughter started going here when she was around 4 or 5 and has attended dozens of classes, 3 or 4 camp sessions, and had a birthday party there. Our experience has always been very positive---Kevin (now retired) was very friendly and helpful, and Matthew is all-around, a fantastic person who is great with children of all ages (and adults). This is an entirely different (and better, in my opinion) experience than the more common businesses that offer decoration of pre-made ceramics. The children make everything here and are involved throughout the entire process.

One can either drop in unscheduled (call ahead to make sure they have space) or sign up for a class (typically, on a monthly basis). There are also adult classes, but I have never attended one.

The staff was friendly and helpful. The instructor thoroughly explained and demonstrated how to use the clay, the tools and potters wheel. My boys had a great time and can't wait to pick up their clay pieces.

Both of the kids (9&6) absolutely love this place. The staff is super friendly, and they are very hands on with the teaching. We can't wait to try the adult class one of these Wednesday's.

This was a very fun experience for my older camper! He went in not knowing anything about ceramics, and was able to experiment with throwing pieces on a wheel, build sculptures, and learn about firing and glazes. He was very proud of his creations and is excited to continue this new hobby. The counselors there are very patient and kind; especially Matt. It's hard to find camps for older kids, and this is definitely one to consider!

Just had a terrific birthday party for my 11-year old son, his little sister, and ten friends. The staff was super friendly and helpful, so that even the most tentative kid made several cool creations. I didn't expect them to try to throw anything on the wheel, but they were all over it! With the patient help of the young staff, these kids made some beautiful bowls and cups in addition to sculptures. The studio is bright, parking was easy, and Catahoula Coffee is a couple blocks away ;)

Was a little tentative about putting my "jock" kid into one of Kids'N'Clay's summer camps. I should have jumped in with both feet sooner.
My son was RAVING about this opportunity the minute he saw me after his first day there. Such a warm, loving, nurturing, caring environment with fantastic instructors (some kid instructors even better) made this experience the golden ticket of summer camps! Thank you Kids'N'Clay - you are truly a wonderful find that allows kids to express their creative selves. YOU GUYS ROCK!

Best kept secret in local summer camps. Kevin, David and their staff of college students are a sweet and talented gang. Third year for my child, it's a ceramics workshop where kids produce art, rather than the usual 40 lb. vase.
Two thumbs waaaayy up!

This place is fantastic for kids who like to create and get messy.
Kevin and his staff, truly enjoy being with kids and they never talk down to kids and they are all very present and engaging with the kids and the medium. They facilitate the kids about how to work with clay, but they allow the child complete freedom to explore his or her creative process. The classes are mixed ages. You can take a free trial class to see if your child likes it. Many parents that I know actually sign up too if there is room in the class.