The Clay Studio

The Clay Studio The Clay Studio is an internationally recognized non-profit ceramic art organization in Philadelphia, PA.
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Play FULL by is up in our Functional Gallery now! Shop in person and online
04/24/2025

Play FULL by is up in our Functional Gallery now! Shop in person and online

Join us on May 10th from 9am-4pm for a workshop with The Clay Studio is proud to host a demonstration workshop with Vis...
04/23/2025

Join us on May 10th from 9am-4pm for a workshop with

The Clay Studio is proud to host a demonstration workshop with Visiting Artist Tomoo Hamada, an accomplished ceramic artist with a fascinating family legacy.

Tomoo Hamada will demonstrate a variety of his wheel thrown forms and decorating techniques as well as discuss their glazes and firing processes. Learn about their families important role in the history of studio pottery, and how that has influenced and been a point of departure in their own work and studio practice.
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Tomoo Hamada is the son of Shinsaku Hamada and grandson of Shoji Hamada, a founder of the Mingei Movement (folk craft) in Japan and the most well known folk art ceramist of the 20th century. Although Tomoo uses traditional methods, his work is distinctively different from that of his father and grandfather. “What I value most in ceramics is a free spirit combined with impeccable technique.”

Join us for a conversation on Thursday, April 24th from 1-2pm with artist Jeanne Blissett Robertson current resident ar...
04/22/2025

Join us for a conversation on Thursday, April 24th from 1-2pm with artist Jeanne Blissett Robertson current resident artist, who will be talking about her exhibition, Another Way of Knowing, in our gallery through June 29th 2025

Save the Date! 🗓️Our Annual Pottery Sale is happening May 3rd from 12-4pm! Get yourself armloads of ceramic treasures — ...
04/19/2025

Save the Date! 🗓️

Our Annual Pottery Sale is happening May 3rd from 12-4pm!

Get yourself armloads of ceramic treasures — artist donations and student work — prices start at $3! You won’t believe the enormous selection! Be sure to come early for the best picks. All proceeds support our Scholarship Fund

☀️Our summer camps are filling up fast! Link in bio to register now ☀️Join us this summer with wheel throwing, hand buil...
04/17/2025

☀️Our summer camps are filling up fast! Link in bio to register now ☀️

Join us this summer with wheel throwing, hand building, mixed media sculpture, painting and more! Week long camps are for youth entering 1st - 12th grades. Campers can expand their imaginations all summer long, June 23rd through August 22nd!

Our Small Favors exhibition is now online! Get your favorites before it’s too late! Thanks to our sponsor
04/15/2025

Our Small Favors exhibition is now online! Get your favorites before it’s too late!

Thanks to our sponsor


Proposals are due Monday, April 14th! Link in bio to learn more and applyAre you Interested in exploring Philadelphia’s ...
04/13/2025

Proposals are due Monday, April 14th! Link in bio to learn more and apply

Are you Interested in exploring Philadelphia’s 250 year history through research and making?

Radical Americana is a city wide series of exhibitions marking the Semiquincentennial of the United States of America. The exhibitions are part of Art Philly and Philly 250

Join us for 2nd Thursday! Michael Biello: holy.body opens today, April 10th from 5-8pmMichael Biello is an interdiscipli...
04/10/2025

Join us for 2nd Thursday! Michael Biello: holy.body opens today, April 10th from 5-8pm

Michael Biello is an interdisciplinary artist who draws inspiration from his Italian American roots, his passion for theatre, and his longtime commitment to LGBTQ+ cultural activism.

Biello is one of the artisan/makers who helped create the revivals of Old City Philadelphia in the 1970’s and Noho New York in the 1990’s. Biello’s work has been exhibited internationally and is in numerous private collections including many in the entertainment industry. In addition to his work in visual art, Biello has a long history as a performance artist and lyricist in collaboration with his life-partner, composer Dan Martin.

Biello is grateful for the inspiration and encouragement he has received from many teachers and mentors including ceramicist William Daley, art historian Helen Drutt, composer/lyricist Maury Yeston, and pleasure activist Annie Sprinkle. .biello

Join us tomorrow 4/10 from 5-8pm for the opening of Jeanne Blissett Robertson: Another Way Of Knowing “During my time at...
04/09/2025

Join us tomorrow 4/10 from 5-8pm for the opening of Jeanne Blissett Robertson: Another Way Of Knowing

“During my time at The Clay Studio I began a collaborative project with geo-chemist Dr Jon Hawkings and his team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania. They research the effect of ice-caps melting in the Arctic Circle and how trapped elements are released into glacial meltwater and downstream biogeochemical cycles. In June 2024 I was invited to join them for two weeks of their fieldwork in Greenland to participate in collecting water samples.
Another Way of Knowing brings together my personal experience of the monumental Arctic ice-scape, research into the history of Arctic exploration, and snapshots of mercury content data recorded on three separate dates. I have taken a micro-macro approach for this project in order to highlight the complex web of activity that lies beneath the fragile frozen north.”


We are putting the finishing touches on our Small Favors Exhibition! Join us for the opening reception April 10th from 5...
04/09/2025

We are putting the finishing touches on our Small Favors Exhibition! Join us for the opening reception April 10th from 5-8pm!

Thank you to our sponsors

Last Call: Apply to our Resident Artist Program Applications due April 11George Rodriguez will be joining us as the Gues...
04/07/2025

Last Call: Apply to our Resident Artist Program Applications due April 11

George Rodriguez will be joining us as the Guest Juror for this year’s application process. Rodriguez creates highly ornamented, ceramic sculptures, often underlined by a connection to sociopolitical themes. As a long time member of The Clay Studio community, he’ll be a wonderful asset in this process!

The Clay Studio Resident Artist Program offers individuals the opportunity to further develop their work, to establish professional contacts and standards, and to work within a community of like-minded individuals in an urban environment for up to three years. The program is designed to reflect a range of experiences and diverse aesthetic approaches, cultures and perspectives. The Clay Studio Resident Artist Program assists artists to become successful members of the Philadelphia art community, while making national and international connections.

A residency at The Clay Studio includes:
☑️Personal studio space in our new building
🔥Use of kilns
🏺A full stocked glaze mixing area
📚Teaching opportunities
🖼️A solo exhibition after the artist has been in residence for 24 months
🔗And more, link in bio for details



📷 Current Resident Artist in the studio

Michael Biello: holy.body opens April 10th - June 29th, 2025Michael Biello is an interdisciplinary artist who draws insp...
04/06/2025

Michael Biello: holy.body opens April 10th - June 29th, 2025

Michael Biello is an interdisciplinary artist who draws inspiration from his Italian American roots, his passion for theatre, and his longtime commitment to LGBTQ+ cultural activism.

Biello is one of the artisan/makers who helped create the revivals of Old City Philadelphia in the 1970’s and Noho New York in the 1990’s. Biello’s work has been exhibited internationally and is in numerous private collections including many in the entertainment industry. In addition to his work in visual art, Biello has a long history as a performance artist and lyricist in collaboration with his life-partner, composer Dan Martin.

Biello is grateful for the inspiration and encouragement he has received from many teachers and mentors including ceramicist William Daley, art historian Helen Drutt, composer/lyricist Maury Yeston, and pleasure activist Annie Sprinkle. .biello

Jeanne Blissett Robertson: Another Way Of Knowing opens April 10th through June 29th, 2025“During my time at The Clay St...
04/05/2025

Jeanne Blissett Robertson: Another Way Of Knowing opens April 10th through June 29th, 2025

“During my time at The Clay Studio I began a collaborative project with geo-chemist Dr Jon Hawkings and his team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania. They research the effect of ice-caps melting in the Arctic Circle and how trapped elements are released into glacial meltwater and downstream biogeochemical cycles. In June 2024 I was invited to join them for two weeks of their fieldwork in Greenland to participate in collecting water samples.
Another Way of Knowing brings together my personal experience of the monumental Arctic ice-scape, research into the history of Arctic exploration, and snapshots of mercury content data recorded on three separate dates. I have taken a micro-macro approach for this project in order to highlight the complex web of activity that lies beneath the fragile frozen north.”


A small but mighty selection of the almost 400 pieces in the 19th Annual Small Favors Exhibition which opens April 10th!...
04/04/2025

A small but mighty selection of the almost 400 pieces in the 19th Annual Small Favors Exhibition which opens April 10th!

Thank you to our sponsors

Our third annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser, PhilaBowl is officially sold out! We’re excited to see everyone this Saturday 4/...
04/02/2025

Our third annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser, PhilaBowl is officially sold out! We’re excited to see everyone this Saturday 4/5 11:30-2:30 for one of our favorite community events with

The Clay Studio’s 19th Annual Small Favors Exhibition opens April 10th!We are excited to present the 19th anniversary of...
04/01/2025

The Clay Studio’s 19th Annual Small Favors Exhibition opens April 10th!

We are excited to present the 19th anniversary of this beloved exhibition. Among almost 400 small artworks displayed in 4-inch cubes you will find big ideas, individuality, and material awareness. To celebrate that this truly is an exhibition for everyone, a few years ago, we began inviting artists outside of the ceramic world to participate. This year we are excited to have art in wood, metal, glass, fiber, paper, and paint. The majority of the works are examples of small ceramic artworks that range from tiny mugs to intricate sculptures.

Our Resident Artist Program application deadline has been extended until April 11th! ✨The Clay Studio Resident Artist Pr...
04/01/2025

Our Resident Artist Program application deadline has been extended until April 11th! ✨

The Clay Studio Resident Artist Program offers individuals the opportunity to further develop their work, to establish professional contacts and standards, and to work within a community of like-minded individuals in an urban environment for up to three years. The program is designed to reflect a range of experiences and diverse aesthetic approaches, cultures and perspectives. The Clay Studio Resident Artist Program assists artists to become successful members of the Philadelphia art community, while making national and international connections.

A residency at The Clay Studio includes:
☑️Personal studio space in our new building
🔥Use of kilns
🏺A full stocked glaze mixing area
📚Teaching opportunities
🖼️A solo exhibition after the artist has been in residence for 24 months
🔗And more, link in bio for details



📷 Current Resident Artist .fel in the studio

Only two days left to see our current exhibitions!
03/29/2025

Only two days left to see our current exhibitions!

Address

1425 N American Street
Philadelphia, PA
19122

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 6pm
Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm
Sunday 12pm - 6pm

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A Force for Good

The Clay Studio inspires curiosity and discovery around the art and craft of clay, drawing together students, artists, and an engaged public into a welcoming community. Every day, in our classrooms, studios, galleries, and neighborhoods, we deepen the connection between people and clay with the highest quality programs and exhibitions. Founded in 1974, The Clay Studio continues in the belief that shared creativity, so fundamental to humanity, is a critical force for good.