Thank you for your interest in The Potters Shop & School.   We are a pottery studio, school, gallery, and bookstore, and one of the finest clay facilities in New England. We occupy a spacious, well lit, and professionally equipped space in the Gorse Mill Studios, a vibrant and diverse community of artists. We offer resident and non-resident studio memberships, adult classes, and workshops. Our gallery is filled with work made in the shop by staff and members covering a variety of styles.  Our shop’s selection of pottery books and videos is known the world over and we also stock a hand picked selection of pottery tools. We are potters and speak the language of clay! 

-Steven Branfman, Founder, Director, and Head Potter

History

The Potters Shop was founded by Steven Branfman in 1977 as a studio, school, gallery, and workspace for clayworkers. Our original location in Newton Highlands had been a potters studio since about 1960 with The Potters Shop being the third or fourth studio to occupy the space. Our first offerings were adult classes, children's classes, and limited workspace.  Over the years as our reputation for quality programs, honest help and advice, and a relaxed, professional and comfortable atmosphere grew, so did our need for space and equipment.  In 1989 the studio was moved and The Potters School, a non-profit educational institution was organized as a separate entity insuring our continued growth and our ability to offer the finest pottery facility and educational programs in New England. The Potters School has continued to evolve and in 2005 we made the transition from a regular class schedule to focusing our services on studio membership. Today, The Potters Shop and The Potters School operate together seamlessly as The Potters Shop and School. We are, as we have been from the beginning, committed to the support of clay arts through quality educational programs, professional facilities, and the production and exhibition of some of the best and most sought after pottery in the area. 

Students and members of The Potters Shop and School come from many different clay backgrounds. Some have taken classes, some are self-taught, some are professional potters who want access to extensive equipment, some are hobbyists who enjoy being part of a larger pottery community. We offer adult classes, workshops, internships, and three different levels of studio membership available to meet a broad range of needs. Though we all come from different backgrounds, our common interest in clay, art, and craft has brought us together.  Our goal at The Potters Shop & School is to develop a studio atmosphere of creativity and mutual support.  The staff is dedicated to providing encouragement and fostering cooperation in an effort to make your use of the studio rewarding and productive.

I hope you come to visit The Potters School so we can show you what we can only describe to you here on these pages.

31 Thorpe Rd. Needham, MA 02494 USA     Phone: 781-449-7687     Fax: 781-449-9098   Email: PottersShop@aol.com   Summer Hours: M-Th: 11-5