Open Studio vs Pottery Membership in Denver

At Claya, open studio and membership are two different ways to spend time in the studio. Open studio is practice time for students in a class. Membership is your own shelf in the arts district, for makers who are ready to keep going on their own.

Here’s how to tell which one fits you right now.

Student open studio: practice time while you learn

When you’re enrolled in a multi-week class, student open studio comes with it. You can drop in during the posted open studio times for the length of your course to practice what you learned that week. There’s no separate fee and no block to book. Come when it works for you during those windows.

Open studio isn’t a public drop-in. It’s for current students, and it wraps up when your class ends. Six-week classes like Intro to Wheel Throwing ($300–$325) include it, along with clay, tools, glazes, and firing for class. During open studio, clay is available for purchase on the shelf near the aprons. Current open studio times are listed on our pricing page.

Open studio is a great fit if:

• You’re new to clay and want guided classes plus extra wheel time
• You want to practice centering between sessions
• You’re still deciding whether pottery is your thing

Reserve My Spot

Membership: your shelf in RiNo

Membership is for people who can already work on their own and want a home studio. At Claya that’s Extended Founding membership: $140/month, with a 2-month minimum.

Here’s what members get:

• A big 6 cubic foot personal shelf for work in progress
• Bisque firing, always free
• Glaze firing free through December 31, 2026. Starting in 2027, 500 cubic inches of glaze firing free each month (about 10 pieces), then $0.04 per cubic inch after that
• Dip glazes, a full underglaze palette, wheels, slab roller, extruder, and shared tools
• Member workshops and demos, plus a free First Friday guest night
• Your own keycode after setup, so you can come in on your schedule

You can buy membership online, then come in for your agreement, shelf, and keycode. Retail studio hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10am–6pm, and Sunday by appointment. Another day works by appointment, just email us.

Membership is a great fit if:

• You’ve taken a class (here or anywhere) and can center and throw on your own
• You want steady studio time and a place to keep your work
• You’re looking for a community of makers at every level

Become a Member

The short version

• Still learning? Take a class. Open studio comes with it.
• Ready to make on your own? Membership gives you a shelf, firing, and your own keycode.
• Somewhere in between? Take a class first. Plenty of our members started that way.

More questions? The membership FAQ covers the details, and you’re always welcome to stop by 3440 Walnut Street during retail hours and say hi.

Ready to get your hands in clay? Explore our pottery classes in Denver, or come see our pottery studio in Denver in the RiNo Arts District.