Mental health through art
By T. Von D.
My days in 2020 were a blur of yarn, sourdough, and TikTok filters, each project a lifeline keeping my creativity afloat amid the pandemic. Coming out of that, I turned my mental health toward pottery. I think it’s the poetry of clay in your hands, shaping stories with each spin of the wheel, grounding me in the tangible after a year of virtual connections.
Having said that: San Francisco studios aren’t cheap, but you can find one that suits any skill level. Can’t pinch a teacup? That’s okay. I looked at 12 businesses and found the average monthly membership $230. The average class costs $340, typically giving you one weekly lesson for a 4–6 week period. I wasn’t looking for an instructor, but there are many classes if you need them, and I still considered price, location, amenities, and vibe.
Within that criteria, I’ve become an avid thrower at Hickory Clay — and no, they didn’t pay me to tell you that. I’ll talk about some other good places, too, and what else might affect your search.
Hickory Clay
2710 16th St., San Francisco
Website
I began my search for the least expensive studio membership I could find. Hickory’s fits the bill at $185 a month, which offers access to 22 pottery wheels, a cubby to store my tools, and an area dedicated to hand building, among other benefits. It’s cool that you can get a key and come in literally anytime, 24 hours a day, for $250 monthly.
Important for me is Hickory’s damp room, which is an environmentally controlled space with high humidity where artists store their work between sessions. Depending on how a piece is stored, you can keep it wet and work on it later, or dry it slowly to prevent stress cracks when it’s fired. I only attend once a week, and I work with porcelain clay, so being able to rest my work and dry it slowly is essential.
In my experience, the kilns are well-run, and I have never lost a piece due to staff negligence or mishandling. The social atmosphere depends on who is there that day, but I belong to a group of regulars who are usually happy to say hi and talk about our work. I like the music at Hickory, and when I want to pop in my headphones, I can without being overwhelmed by sound.
Other considerations in a studio search
- Commute — I live in the Outer Sunset so the getting there is a problem. It takes me 45 minutes to an hour to get from my apartment to my studio, including a coffee stop, and I do it every week because I love pottery. But I’d be at the studio every day if it was 10 minutes down the street.
- Price and prerequisites — Some studios don’t allow you to have a membership unless you’ve taken a class with them, so it had to be a place that would accept my prior experience. I didn’t intend to sell my work on Etsy or at art fairs; for me, it’s purely playtime. It’s important also that the more you attend your studio, the lower your per-hour rate will be, so use the time you buy to the fullest.
- Vibe — I spent a summer in Portland at a studio that was so dead quiet and untalkative that I stopped going after the third week, but it helped me realize that I need that bustle to feel comfortable. Don’t be timid — visit the studio you’re considering taking classes at. Any of them should be happy to give you a tour and answer your questions.
- Amenities — All studios will have throwing wheels and staff-run kilns, as well as tables to work at and a selection of glazes and clays. Some studios may have tools like extruders, plaster forms, rolling tables, or glaze spraying cabinets. They may also make colored clay slips and provide under-paints for decorating your work. The most important optional amenity to me is a damp room.
Here are a couple other studios that caught my eye in my search:
Sunset Clay House
2550 Judah St., San Francisco
https://www.sunsetclayhouse.com/
Depending on your budget, a more expensive studio nearby can be cost-effective if it means you attend more often. I checked out Sunset Clay House on Judah for its easy commute. I spotted this studio while riding the N train and was drawn to the idea of working late in a beautiful space just 15 minutes from my apartment.
This studio is community-forward, offering perks like free workshops and affordable recycled clay. The large space includes 12 wheels, multiple work tables, and a variety of glazes. The social atmosphere is engaging, with energetic classes. They’ve even done raku firing on Ocean Beach, thanks to their location. There’s also a Richmond location for artists north of the park.
Classes run for four weeks, ideal for beginners. Memberships are $217 a month, with work hours from 8am to 10pm daily, allowing flexibility in studio time.
Dusted & Blue
1242 Mason St.
https://www.dustedandblue.com/
Just out of curiosity, I checked out a studio with a longer commute and a higher price for its excellent artistic vibes. Located on Mason near Chinatown, at the heart of downtown, Dusted and Blue is an intimate and intense studio for artists who want to challenge themselves.
Dusted and Blue boasts a beautiful space and a fine art approach to their classes. If you’re looking to elevate your work, this studio is worth considering. Artists from here have been accepted into the 2023 DeYoung open exhibition, to the envy of many. Pottery is one of humankind’s oldest artistic mediums, and while it can be intimidating, pushing yourself in a professional-level studio can be rewarding.
The studio offers advanced workshops like pit-firing and Nerokami technique in the fall. Class sizes are small, ensuring more one-on-one time with the instructor. They also have a shop featuring work from local artists and high-quality art supplies. A downside is that the studio operates on weekends only, but if that fits your schedule, it could be the experience you need to take your art to the next level.
Whether you’re a novice or an experienced ceramicist, the right environment can significantly enhance your creativity and dedication. My own experience at Hickory Clay has shown me the importance of finding a studio that meets my needs and supports my artistic growth. So take your time, visit potential studios, and choose the one that feels right for you. Your perfect pottery studio is out there, ready to become your creative haven.
T Von D. is a local museum worker and lesbian.
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