Clay Arts Vegas

Canʻt believe Iʻve waited 3 years to leave this review. CAV has changed my life! I started taking classes over 3 years ago knowing nothing about ceramics. After my 1st class, I felt extremely frustrated as I am usually a quick learner and such a perfectionist. Wheel throwing was not easy! I am not a quitter and clay was going to be a challenge. Challenge accepted! Thom and Peter have been such an inspiration to me and taught me not to give up and push myself every day! Has it been easy? Not in the least! But everything about this place keeps me coming back, wanting more: the people, the atmosphere, the learning experiences... Happy I found this place only wishing it had been sooner!

The worst. Just stay away! It's been over a year, but I'm still pissed about the whole experience. The rudeness, just being left in a corner, the cattiness. It was an email that triggered this pottery experience PTSD. Stay far away. You're better off playing with a blob of clay watching a YouTube video.

I came to this location because it was one of the first to pop up on my Google search and it was the closest to where I live. Had I gone to my trusted Yelp, I would have better educated myself.I should have known from my first experience that this wasn't going to be a smooth ride. The first thing that stood out to me was how the lady at the cash register was really adament about pushing me into their beginner clay. Every time I would point to a lighter, white colored clay sample that I liked a lot more, she would just redirect me to Greystone (WC-423). I didn't feel heard and I would pick out clays I was more attracted to but it became clear that she was only going to let me walk out with Greystone. I then worked on a few pieces myself, at home. I had read the instructions about getting my stuff fired. I knew it had to be dried out. I had to put my name on them. And, I needed to carefully put them in a box, that I would then take back with me. Upon arriving, she begins to inform me that each piece is $6 a piece (within a certain dimension). She also tells me I need to make my own clay tray and make individual slots for each piece... at least that's what she does. I was so overwhelmed and felt that the website did not explain any of that. She said she 'assumed' people would know that because sometimes the pieces get 'blown away' or move. I went back home, to review this very antiquated website. It said you can do a whole shelf for $35. I call back and she says the website must be out dated... I could have told you that. I tried to give them the benefit, even with the website looking as bad as it did, but I come to realize that working with them is as challenging as navigating their website. Go check it out.

If you never try you will never know. Throwing is art. It's not easy, but it's worth learning. Learn from everyone who offers advice! There is a community of artists at Clay Arts that is inspiring to watch. It amazes me how in a class you can all be taught the same project,, yet no person replicates it the same way. The years of experience behind the instructors is so beneficial to learning and overcoming obstacles. I can't wait to continue creating.

Go to animal house pottery or oasis pottery and they are so much better and nicer and teach so much better. Anthony at animal house is the best!

Great studioI have learned a lot since I started taking classesOwners are great Met great people at the studio who are very nice, very helpful. They have different workshops that are greatSeeing pottery pieces go through Raku firing is amazingThey have so many options to attend classes Tuesday through SundayThey have different types of clay for purchase so you can experience working with different clay bodiesThey also sell different types of tools, underglaze transfers, underglazes and glazes that you can use.Definitely worth your money to take classes there You can also become a member so you can enjoy the many perks that come with the membership

During my practicum 2 I got placed into a ceramics classroom. I have experience in most mediums due to my degree from painting to metal but I never got the chance to learn ceramics. My semester started and I immediately needed to learn stuff about ceramics outside of the classroom. I was already full-time at the University and working an almost full-time job but I was determined to learn to feel somewhat adequate to teach it. I did the 7-week course with 3-hour classes. Firstly, I thought that yes it helped with consistency but life happens, and if you get sick or anything happens it's like I'm missing out on a class I paid for. I think my biggest thing about this place was the lack of information about time management. The first few weeks are just learning and not making good things but as you get down the course they just kept giving you assignments to make. And yes I understand that it helps build skills but in the end, it made it difficult to make a finished project. I also got called out to stop making a bowl because I had to do the project given but that's beside the point. In 7 weeks, I managed to get 2 bisque fired pieces and 2 things still in the greenware stage. I never got to glaze anything... I think making a separate class for beginners, intermediate, and advanced classes would best benefit everyone. So that those who need more help get it and the more advanced people can just make good conversation with Tom or each other. In the end, I'm still grateful for what I learned from this place. They knew what they were talking about but I just wished for a friendlier environment. I ended up going to Oasis Pottery because my mentor had suggested it and the owner was nice and welcoming.

My true rate is a 0I did this class a while ago but still get upset when I think about my experience. I would look somewhere else before coming here. I chose this place because convenience. Please don't let that be the reason you come. I had 0 experience coming into this and they still seemed to push everyone into the same class regardless of their experience.I had 1 session with a teacher teaching me and a few other students for a "1 on 1" and the next class I was supposed to make 3 different sized bowls and keep up with everyone else? The dude walked around the class and talks to you for 5 seconds about your piece then tends to the 30 other students to make entertaining conversation with them. Horrible teaching I could've watched a YouTube video and learned more from this. Waste of a couple hundred $. Just for them to throw away my pieces when I told them I will be out of town and gave them my return date to pickup my unfinished items- because they don't guide you through the glazing and firing process They expect everyone to know what they're doing.They do this for their own entertainment. Completely unsatisfied they couldn't do anything to change my mind. I wish I would've written this sooner so someone reading the reviews would've known to not waste their time or money.‍

Last Saturday I went to Clay Arts to buy clay and to see what glazes they carried. It was a very busy day with a class going on and many people working on the wheels. I have taken a class here before, and I thought you could go in the back to read what glazes were on the walls. Tom immediately yelled at me, in front of the class, asking me, "What are you doing?" and "Where do you think you are going?" I quietly (so as not to disrupt the class any further) told him I wanted to see what glazes they carried on the back wall. He rudely told me to go to the front of the studio and behind the register, I could see the poster of glaze colors.Unfortunately, Tom did not know that I have been in the business for 35 years, taught College Courses for 12 years and owned my own public studio in Arizona for 10 years. I have traveled to California to the Laguna and Aardvark Clay Factories and worked with and know the owners and staff there for over 10 years. I know what I'm talking about...I know Glaze Brands and could easily tell the colors that they carry on that back wall and not have to look at 1" squares to see the finished color.Then I went up front, like I was COMMANDED to do. The woman at the front was not much friendlier. She told me I had to carry the three 50# boxes out of the store by myself. I just did my best to pay for and load up my clay and get out of the store. If I could give 0 stars, I would! Stay away from these rude people! Tom take some classes on being polite to people! From other Yelps, looks Like I am not the only one you have offended!If I had ever treated my customers and students that way, I would not have been in business for so long. I will never return to this store again. I will drive to California or to St. George, UT, before I ever give this group another dime!

currently writing this review crying in the Clay Arts parking lot. i bought a package for me and my partner, we went to 2 classes, im a total beginner and there has been absolutely no guidance. we're somehow expected to know the throwing/triming/firing process, the clean up process, and where all the tools go. i told them i didn't want to come back and asked if my friend (who already is good at ceramics) if she could take my place and they said no. i could deal with the shitty instruction if the teachers/people were at least nice but they are not, i got in trouble for messing up multiple times but no one ever showed me the right way to do anything. im super bummed, i just wanted to make some pretty art.