Claymobile's Youth Programs
Claymobile partners with youth serving organizations, such as schools, community centers, and summer camps, to bring ceramics to the Philadelphia community. Our professional teaching artists provide arts education opportunities that use the tactile medium of clay to nurture imagination, critical thinking, and persistence. We offer both one-time workshops and residencies ranging from 6 to 12 weeks in length. Claymobile operates all year round.
More information about Claymobile's youth programsClaymobile's Adult Programs
Claymobile partners with older adult centers, neighborhood organizations, and community spaces to bring a pop up ceramic studio to the Philadelphia community. Our teaching artists provide arts opportunities using the tactile medium of clay for creative expression, skill building, and social engagement. We offer both one-time workshops and residencies.
More information on Claymobile's Adult ProgramsClay, Play, Read
Our newest community program, Clay, Play, Read invites families to explore books and create clay projects inspired by stories.
Learn more about Clay, Play, ReadHands on Clay
People of all ages are welcome to use their imaginations as clay and creativity come together in The Clay Studio's Hands on Clay series sponsored by PNC Arts Alive. Free and open to the public, these events encourage all to participate and play with clay!
Learn more about Hands on ClayBarro en el Barrio
Programa gratis para adultos de 55 años en adelante ubicados en el vecindario de Norris Square. No es necesario tener experiencia en cerámica. Los instructores son bilingües (inglés/español). Se requiere pre-registro.
Register for this programConnecting Through Clay
- Clay Fest
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Clay Fest is a free weekend public festival at The Clay Studio, featuring hands-on, family-friendly activities throughout the day. The fun begin at 10 a.m. and includes: practice at the potter’s wheel, wheel throwing demos, group handbuilding, bowl decorating, an ice cream social, music, and more.
This community program is made possible with a grant provided through the PNC Arts Alive initiative. This is a very prestigious grant award—just 22 arts organizations in the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region were selected for bold thinking around increasing arts access and engagement, and The Clay Studio was one.
- 2nd Thursday Gallery Nights
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Join us every 2nd Thursday of the month for our Gallery Nights where we'll be open late for the public to view our current exhibition(s)! These nights from from 5–8pm and are such a wonderful way to meet our community, see exceptional art, and many times hear from the artists or curators about the work that's being displayed. Light food and drink are provided--don't miss the chance to view amazing works of art and talk with your neighbors!
- Play Everywhere Projects
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Learn more about The Clay Studio's Play Everywhere projects at the Cecil B. Moore and Kensington branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia. Lead project support provided by Kaboom! and the William Penn Foundation.
- Hand Crafted
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Hand Crafted is the name for our social, experience-based series of events that celebrate the functionality of one-of-a-kind ceramic objects. Focused on themes like artisanal food and spirits, craft beer, flowers, DIY culture, and farm-to-table dining, these events bring to light the relevance of art and craft in our everyday lives by contributing to the dialogue about shared traditions, the maker movement, and sustainability.
The Clay Studio is committed to broadening the understanding of the hand crafted in our lives, and in the process strengthening connections among sustainable businesses and like-minded organizations. Ultimately, it's all about the joy that handmade goods can bring to people.
Past Programming
Claymobile's Virtual Programs
Our Claymobile goes Zoom! Claymobile's virtual programs allow students to safely create with clay from home or at your center in an online setting. Our professional teaching artists join students in Zoom to provide a virtual, hands-on lesson accompanied by a kit containing traditional clay or air dry clay. Virtual crafting sessions using other materials and mediums are also available. Sessions are typically 45-minutes in length.
More information about Claymobile's virtual programsAdditional Program Info
- Download a printable flyer about the Claymobile Program
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- Download a printable flyer about Claymobile's Youth Programs
- Download a printable flyer about Claymobile's Adult Programs
- Art Education Resources
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New resources from the Claymobile! Our team has put together a variety of resources including classroom posters, handouts, lesson plans, and vocabulary sheets. Our vocabulary sheets, classroom posters, and many of our handouts are available in both English and Spanish. We are constantly updating the content, so check back often for new resources. View Art Education Resources
- View our Claymobile partner map
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Claymobile works throughout the Philadelphia region. View our map of partner sites!
- View previous Claymobile Newsletters
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- 02/08/2021 - Clay kits & Zoom - the perfect match for creative fun!
- 11/16/2020 - Virtual residencies and winter workshops from the Claymobile!
- 09/14/2020 - Claymobile's summer of virtual & socially distant programs
- 05/07/2020 - Claymobile to Go! - new virtual options from the Claymobile
- 03/18/2020 - An update on the Claymobile!
- 12/03/2019 - What does Claymobile and an elephant have in common?!
- 11/26/2019 - This fall with the Claymobile!
- 08/12/2019 - Heading back to school with the Claymobile!
- 05/23/2019 - Spring newsletter from the Claymobile!
- 12/21/2018 - Happy Holidays from the Claymobile
- 09/13/2018 - Exciting news from the Claymobile
The Claymobile Story
The Clay Studio is rooted in the belief that all people deserve access to high-quality arts education, and assumes a strong responsibility to engage all segments of its local community.
Since 1994, Claymobile, our award-winning community engagement program, has collaborated with schools, neighborhood organizations, and other social service agencies throughout the Philadelphia region to create innovative, hands-on approaches to learning in a safe and supportive environment. Today, the Claymobile is recognized as one of the most cost-effective arts education opportunities in the region, and serves as a model for similar programs offered around the country.
Community Impact
Many children and adults in the Philadelphia region lack access to arts experiences in their schools and neighborhoods due to budget constraints, a focus on achievement testing, and the stressors of poverty. We need your support to continue to make a positive impact on the opportunity gap for youth right in our communities.
6k
K-12 students served each year by Claymobile
90%
Claymobile residencies partnering with schools and organizations that serve at least 75% of students with economic need
75%
students in the U.S. who have never had any formal art education (source: NEA)
$25
donation supports a Claymobile class for one student