Creative Clay Residencies

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Creative Clay residencies are a series of weekly ceramics classes that typically last between 6 to 12 weeks. Participants in a 6 week residency will build and glaze 4 to 5 functional and sculptural projects. Participants will learn how to create pinch pots, build with coils, and roll slabs for hand building. Ideally, each session is 90-minutes in length. The teaching artist will develop a curriculum based on the skill level and interest of participants and in collaboration with the site staff.

Request a Creative Clay Residency

Creative Aging Residency

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Creative aging residencies are designed specifically for older adult communities. The sessions focus on building community, exploring creativity, and learning/building ceramic skills. These residencies are a minimum of 8 weeks and conclude with an exhibition of student work. Participants learn how to create pinch pots, build with coils, and roll slabs for hand building. Ideally, each session is 90-minutes in length. The teaching artist will develop a curriculum that teaches the basics of hand building with open-ended projects for participants to explore their own creative visions in clay!

Request a Creative Aging Residency

Team Building Workshops

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Looking for a new activity for your team at work? A professional teaching artist will lead your coworkers through a once-fire project in clay (they will build and glaze in the same day). Relax with coworkers while building a new skill and being creative! Ideally, workshops are 90-minutes in length. Projects can be customized, though our most popular projects are coil bowls and slab plates. Finished work will be available 2-4 weeks after the program.

Request a team bulding workshop

DIY Photo Frame Kit

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Our DIY photo frame kits include everything needed to decorate a ceramic photo frame. Each kit includes instructions for decorating your frame with inspirational images, a hand-made stoneware frame, watercolor paints, brushes, superglue, and a cardboard backer! Kits are $10 each with a minimum order of 20 kits (or $200). Kits can be mailed for an additional charge, or delivered to a single location within Philadelphia for free.

Request DIY Photo Frame Kits

DIY Tile Coaster/Trivet Kits

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Our DIY tile coaster/trivet kits include everything needed to decorate 2 ceramic coasters/trivets. Each kit includes step-by-step instructions for decorating your coasters with inspirational images from shop artists, 2 handmade tiles, acrylic paints, brushes, sealant, and felt backing piece! Kits are $10 each with a minimum order of 20 kits (or $200). Kits can be mailed for an additional charge, or delivered to a single location within Philadelphia for free.

Request DIY Tile Coaster Kits

DIY Wall Sign Kit

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Our DIY wall sign kits include everything needed to decorate a ceramic wall sign. Each kit includes step-by-step instructions for decorating and putting together your sign with inspirational images from shop artists, a hand-made stoneware wall sign, acrylic paints, brushes, twine for hanging, and sealer! Kits are $10 each with a minimum order of 20 kits (or $200). Kits can be mailed for an additional charge, or delivered to a single location within Philadelphia for free.

Request DIY Wall Sign Kits

DIY Ornament Set Kits

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Our DIY ornament set kits include everything needed to decorate a set of four ceramic ornaments. Each kit includes step-by-step instructions for decorating and putting together your ornaments with inspirational images from shop artists, a set of four hand-made ceramic ornaments, acrylic paints, brushes, sealer, and twine for hanging! Kits are $10 each with a minimum order of 20 kits (or $200). Kits can be mailed for an additional charge, or delivered to a single location within Philadelphia for free.

Request DIY Ornament Set Kits

Skill Builder Residency

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Skill builder residencies can be taught as an introduction to hand building or an intermediate level class. After learning the basic techniques, participants will have leeway to create their own visions in clay. Ideally, each session is 90-minutes in length, or longer, and the residency takes place over a minimum of 8 weeks. These residencies work best when there is space on site to store materials and when participants are able to access their work between sessions to continue learning on their own.

Request a Skill Builder Residency

Barro en el Barrio

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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. (Free program for older adults (age 55+) in the Norris Square neighborhood. No ceramics experience is necessary. All instructors are bilingual (English/Spanish). Pre-registration is required.)

Register for the program

One-time Workshops

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Claymobile workshop are one-time sessions. Participants will create a once-fire project, which means they will build and glaze the project in the same day. Ideally, workshops are 90-minutes in length. Workshop projects can be customized to accommodate different themes. Our most popular projects are coil bowls and slab plates, though seasonal and holiday themed projects are also popular! Finished projects are delivered back to the site 2-4 weeks after the program. We are also happy to schedule monthly workshop series at sites where participants can sign up for one or all of the workshops.

Request a One-time Workshop

DIY Planter Kits

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Our DIY planter kits include everything needed to decorate a planter for a small succulent. Each kit includes step-by-step instructions for decorating and planting with inspirational images from shop artists, a hand-made terracotta planter, acrylic paints, brushes, dirt, rocks, and a succulent! Kits are $10 each with a minimum order of 20 kits (or $200). Kits can be mailed for an additional charge, or delivered to a single location within Philadelphia for free.

Request DIY Planter Kits

DIY Candy Dish Kit

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Our DIY candy dish kits include everything needed to decorate a ceramic candy dish. Each kit includes step-by-step instructions for decorating your dish with inspirational images from shop artists, a hand-made stoneware candy dish, acrylic paints, brushes, and sealer! Kits are $10 each with a minimum order of 20 kits (or $200). Kits can be mailed for an additional charge, or delivered to a single location within Philadelphia for free.

Request DIY Candy Dish Kits

DIY Leaf Bowl Kit

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Our DIY leaf bowl kits include everything needed to decorate a ceramic leaf bowl. Each kit includes step-by-step instructions for decorating your bowl with inspirational images from shop artists, a hand-made stoneware leaf bowl, acrylic paints, brushes, and sealer! Kits are $10 each with a minimum order of 20 kits (or $200). Kits can be mailed for an additional charge, or delivered to a single location within Philadelphia for free.

Request DIY Leaf Bowl Kits

DIY Wall Pocket Kit

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Our DIY wall pocket kits include everything needed to decorate a ceramic wall pocket. Each kit includes step-by-step instructions for decorating and putting together your pocket with inspirational images from shop artists, a hand-made stoneware wall pocket, acrylic paints, brushes, sealer, and twine for hanging! Kits are $10 each with a minimum order of 20 kits (or $200). Kits can be mailed for an additional charge, or delivered to a single location within Philadelphia for free.

Request DIY Wall Pocket Kits

How it Works

  1. Fill out our online form to request Claymobile for a residency (a 90-minute lesson once a week for 6-12 weeks) or a one-day workshop.

  2. Claymobile sends you a teaching artist, an assistant, and all the supplies and materials needed for a ceramics lesson.

  3. Sites will provide a space with tables and chairs for all participants, as well as access to a source of water (a sink in the room is a plus).

  4. The teaching artist leads comprehensive lessons designed specifically the goals of your organization. Participants learn the basics of hand-building with clay, while relaxing and being creative with their peers.

  5. Participants contruct their artowrk onsite, then we transport it back to The Clay Studio for firing in our kilns.

  6. We deliver finished artwork back to your site for participants to enjoy!

FAQs

Are there any virtual options for Claymobile adult programs?

Our DIY Kits can be used for a virtual program. We're also happy to discuss customized virtual programs using traditional clay or air dry clay. Please contact Community Engagement Manager, Tessa Kennamer at claymobile@theclaystudio.org, to discuss options.

How much does it cost to bring Claymobile to my organization?

For 60 - 90 minute sessions, fees range from $250 - $650, depending on the number of participants, travel distance from the studio, and the economic profile of the community served.

For sites serving populations that are 75% or more economically disadvantaged, we offer a subsidized rate.

We are also committed to expanding access through a limited number of fully subsidized workshops and residencies each year. If cost is a barrier and you would like to be considered for fully subsidized programming, please contact our Community Engagement Manager, Tessa Kennamer, at claymobile@theclaystudio.org

We believe cost should never be the sole obstacle to meaningful arts experiences and encourage organizations to reach out to discuss options.

What types of organizations can request Claymobile programs for adults?

We partner with many types of organizations, including:

  • Community centers
  • Neighborhood organizations
  • Social service agencies
  • Older adult facilities including adult day programs, nursing homes, and senior living communities
  • Colleges and universities
  • Sites serving adults with intellectual, physical, or behavioral disabilities

*We are also happy to discuss hosting workshops for friend and social groups.

How many people can participate in a Claymobile class?

We try to cap each class at 30 students, though smaller groups work best to encourage social engagement between participants and to provide more one-on-one help from the Claymobile teaching artist and assistants.

If you have a group larger than 30, we can work with you to split the group into multiple sessions and/or can discuss providing additional Claymobile staff to assist. These options will incur additional fees.

How do I request a Claymobile workshop or residency?

You can either fill out our online form or contact our Community Engagement Manager, Tessa Kennamer at claymobile@theclaystudio.org

What days/times is the Claymobile available?

The Claymobile program holds classes all year long. Classes can be scheduled 7 days a week, pending availability. Ideally, each session is 90-minutes in length. If 90-minutes is not possible, we can work with you to come up with alternative solutions.

What does the site need to provide to host Claymobile?

We bring everything needed for the ceramics lesson. The site needs to provide:

  • A room with tables and chairs for all participants
  • A source of water

Ideally, the class will be held in a classroom or other isolated space with limited outside distractions. Sinks in the room are ideal, but not required.

Claymobile will bring:

  • A professional teaching artist and teaching assistant
  • All needed supplies and materials for the ceramics lesson
  • Tarps, canvas, and/or paper to cover tables
  • Storage for all supplies (we'll transport materials to and from your location so that you don't have to store any of our supplies on site)
Does Claymobile do any programs similar to make-and-sip events?

We are happy to discuss partnering with your for a fun, creative event. The format would be similar to a one-time workshop or team building workshop. Your group would be responsible for providing any additional snacks and beverages if desired.

The Clay Studio also offers Date Night workshops on Friday evenings at our studio in Old City Philadelphia. Visit our Date Night page to learn more.

Community Engagement Manager