COVID-19 Update; October 1
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
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Outdoor Ceramic Art and Pottery Show
Sunday, October 4th from 2-5pm
Gorse Mill Studios
31 Thorpe Rd, Needham
Join 18 ceramic artists as they ‘open their trunks’ to display and sell their hand-made tableware, vessels and sculptures in a safe and friendly environment. Ask questions, learn about pottery making techniques and get a jump on holiday shopping!
Masks will be required for all visitors and artists. Social distance between cars/tables and visitors will be maintained.
Visitor parking is available on site. Questions? Contact Cindy Alvin, Pottersshop@aol.com
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Member Exhibits
Stay Tuned
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Stay tuned for more winter and spring events!
Needham Open Studios, May 2021
Watch our Raku Workshop Leader Debbie Winnick in action
News Around the Studio
UPDATE:
Due to the current health crisis, all studio member workshops are suspended until further notice. As the situation evolves, we will update our website to reflect any changes.
Upcoming Studio Member Raku Firing Workshops
Wednesday March 19, 9am-CANCELED
Tuesday April 14, 12pm-CANCELED
All pots should be glazed and ready to load at noon.
**WEATHER AND KILN SITE CONDITIONS PERMITTING**
PLEASE CALL TO CHECK FOR CANCELLATIONS AND RESCHEDULING
To learn more about becoming a studio member please visit the
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Upcoming Studio Member Events and Workshops!
Triple Threat Member Madness!
Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 pm
CANCELED, New date TBD
Three members will share snippets of their expertise.
Jayne: slip trailing, Miryana: carving/underglazing magic, and Candy: tiny pots
+For a more detailed description of each workshop, visit the WORKSHOP PAGE!
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Get ready for the annual
Bowl-a-thon Glazing
Starting: March 16, 2020 5 pm
CANCELED. New date TBD
Be on the lookout for more detailed information about how you can help participate in this annual tradition.
For Studio Members
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To learn more about becoming a member to have access to our workshops, visit the MEMBERSHIP PAGE!
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Class registration is now closed.
For details on our classes and how to be notified when we open registration for next session, visit our SCHOOL PAGE.
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