Looking for creative team building activities in the Bay Area? Try both the potter's wheel and hand building in one beginner-friendly evening at a women-owned pottery studio in downtown Vallejo. This two-hour private class for groups of 6 to 10 is a perfect introduction to a new hobby or a fun way to spend an evening together, and every guest goes home with handmade ceramics.
Curious about pottery? This workshop lets your group tour the basics before committing, or simply get your hands dirty and unwind while learning new skills. All tools, materials, clay and instruction are provided, so it is easy for everyone to dive into this exciting medium.
What's Included
- A two-hour private pottery class for your group of
Looking for creative team building activities in the Bay Area? Try both the potter's wheel and hand building in one beginner-friendly evening at a women-owned pottery studio in downtown Vallejo. This two-hour private class for groups of 6 to 10 is a perfect introduction to a new hobby or a fun way to spend an evening together, and every guest goes home with handmade ceramics.
Curious about pottery? This workshop lets your group tour the basics before committing, or simply get your hands dirty and unwind while learning new skills. All tools, materials, clay and instruction are provided, so it is easy for everyone to dive into this exciting medium.
What's Included
- A two-hour private pottery class for your group of 6 to 10 guests
- An introductory lesson on the potter's wheel with demonstration and hands-on guidance
- Pre-centered clay so every guest can throw a pot on the wheel
- A fresh chunk of clay at the hand building table for a functional or sculptural piece
- All tools, materials, clay and instruction
- Glazing and firing of your pieces by your instructor, ready for pickup in about four weeks
How the Session Runs
The class starts at the wheel. Your instructor teaches the basics of making a low bowl through demonstration and hands-on guidance, and you get to feel the sensation of spinning clay under your hands as you try to form a pot. Then each guest sits down at a wheel with pre-centered clay and throws a pot of their own.
Next, the group heads over to the hand building table to experiment and play with a fresh chunk of clay. Pinch a small bowl or roll out a slab to make a vase while your instructor guides you along and helps you finish a functional or sculptural piece. Bring your favorite beverage to enjoy during this part of the evening.
- Watch a wheel demonstration and learn how a low bowl is formed
- Throw your own pot on the wheel with pre-centered clay
- Move to the hand building table to pinch a bowl or build a slab vase
- Leave your creations for your instructor to glaze and fire
Why It Works for Groups
Wheel throwing is famously humbling, which is exactly why it works so well with coworkers and friends: everyone starts at the same level, and the wobbly first pots get the whole table laughing. Pairing the wheel with a relaxed hand building session gives every guest at least one piece they are proud of, which makes this one of the more unique team building events you can plan without any special skills.
Capped at 10 guests, it is one of the most social team building activities for small groups and among the most memorable hands on team building activities for a department, a project team or a group of friends. The class page lists it as great for a team building activity, a holiday party, a birthday or a bachelorette party, and it works well as christmas team building for a small team that would rather make something than sit through another dinner.
About the Studio
The studio was born in the pottery studio of its founder and owner and now has its own 3,500 square foot space in downtown Vallejo with 12 throwing wheels, three large work tables, a slab roller, an extruder, a glaze room and kilns. Because classes are kept small, students get real attention and support from the instructor. The studio also runs one-time classes, six and eight week sessions, specialty workshops, kids and teen classes and memberships, and it welcomes complete beginners as warmly as experienced potters.
Good to Know
- Beginner friendly; no experience needed
- Bring an apron to protect your clothes, or wear something you do not mind getting messy
- Bring your favorite beverage for the hand building part of the evening
- Pieces stay at the studio for glazing and firing and are ready to pick up in about four weeks
- Groups of 6 to 10 guests
Plan Your Pottery Night
Share your preferred date and group size to check availability, and let the studio know if anyone in the group has tried clay before so the instructor can plan the evening. With clay, tools, instruction, glazing and firing included, this class gives your group a creative night out and a handmade piece to take home.
