Frequently asked questions

We recommend starting with a one-time experience class. Options include our Friday night “Wine-o-Rama” session (for ages 21+ and great for date night) or a Saturday session beginning at 11:30a (for ages 13+). All ViaClay six-week classes – except for our Thursday night Intermediate session – are suitable for beginners.

Wheel Throwing on a potter’s wheel involves shaping a mound of clay into a symmetrical form using the spinning energy of the wheel head. Handbuilding is a general term for techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab-building forms without the use of a wheel.

Yes! Please reach out to info@viaclay.com to schedule an event or private session.

Yes! We offer private events for groups of 8–12 people, outside of our normal class hours. Please reach out to info@viaclay.com to schedule an event or private session.

Please click this link to browse all currently available classes. Class registration is done exclusively online. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@viaclay.com .

One-time two-hour sessions range from $80 to $95 (for Friday night Wine-o-Rama sessions which include two glasses of delicious Italian wine per person, provisioned by our neighbors Anfora Wine Merchants). Adult 6-week classes offer 18 hours of guided instruction, along with 59.5 hours of open studio time a week, for $300.

All the clay that will be used for class projects, as well as the glaze for those pieces, are included in class fees.

For our one-time classes, class size is limited to 12 people to maximize “one-on-one” time with teachers and their assistants. Six-week classes are capped at 16 people (12 for Handbuilding).

ViaClay is committed to creating spaces for people to learn and practice their craft. Unlike many other studios, we allow all currently-enrolled students the opportunity to re-enroll in the next six-week session before opening class registration to the public. While this may limit the number of seats available for new students to join the group, it creates an enriching atmosphere that we are eager to nurture.

No, we ask that you wait for the start of a new session so you can attend all six classes.

ViaClay teachers are experienced potters and are ready to help you master the basics of Wheel Throwing including centering, pulling, shaping, trimming, and glazing. As your skills advance, teachers can support your creative vision.

Open Studio time is available to all currently enrolled six-week students and is a great way to add value to your class tuition. Check out our current calendar for available times to use the studio equipment independently.

We’re known for our prompt and consistent firing schedule. For a one-time session, please allow three weeks for us to glaze and fire your masterpiece. We’ll email you when it’s ready! Pickup hours at our Oak Park studio are Monday – Saturday, 11:00a – 5:00p, and Sunday, 12:00p – 6:00p. For six-week class students, you should begin receiving your fired pieces by week 4 or 5. Six-week students pick up finished work during open studio hours as it comes out of the kiln.

Yes! All pots are fired twice to a vitreous state, which makes them food-, dishwasher-, and microwave-safe.

Yes! ViaClay offers a wide range of glazes. One-time session participants can choose from 10 different colors. Six-week class students will be learning how to work with these same glazes in various combinations, resulting in more than 100 color choices.

While every precaution is taken to ensure the best possible outcome for every firing, sometimes unexpected breakage occurs. We cannot guarantee the quality or serviceability of fired work.

We know you want to receive your finished pieces as soon as possible but we also understand when schedules change. For one-time classes, we save finished pieces for three months after your class. Work left longer than three months may be discarded. Six-week students pick up finished work during open studio hours as it comes out of the kiln. If you're not continuing to the next session, please clear your shelf during week 6 of your last class; you can still come back during open studio hours to collect pieces as they finish. Work left longer than three months after your last class may be discarded.

Yes! Please contact us at info@viaclay.com to discuss shipping and related handling costs.

ViaClay Members Studio in Forest Park offers clay enthusiasts a welcoming and professional space to practice their craft. The studio is open 24/7 with secure access. To learn more, please visit our membership page. Monthly dues are $250 along with a per pound price for clay (which covers firing and glazing).

No, but we recommend it! Many of our current members began with a one-time experience and found their passion.

Yes! ViaClay is an adult space for serious practitioners, however we do offer Youth Memberships on a case-by-case basis. For everyone, especially those under 18 years of age, we require mature and respectful behavior while working in the studio. We reserve the right to revisit Youth Membership qualifications at any time.

ViaClay uses the honor system for purchasing clay. We ask that you log your clay purchases so we may charge you via invoice or automatic payment as you prefer.

Yes! Kiln firing services – bisque firing to Cone 05, and glazing to Cone 6 or 10 -- are available. Prices are 3 cents a cubic inch for one firing, 5 cents a cubic inch for two firings, and 1 cent a cubic inch if you opt to use our glazes. Please note: a studio manager must approve your clay before scheduling firing services. Please reach out to members@viaclay.com

ViaClay does hold occasional pottery sales, usually around holidays. Please join our mailing list to keep informed of our next event.

For all classes, our location is 208 South Marion Street in Oak Park IL. ViaClay Members Studio (where firing services are offered) is located at 7744 Monroe Street in nearby Forest Park IL. On street parking is available in both neighborhoods on surrounding streets (metered and free) – be sure to check signage for municipal parking rules.

Yes! Our Marion Street studio is two blocks south of the CTA Green Line (Harlem Avenue stop); our Monroe Street studio is about a 12-minute walk from the CTA Blue Line (711 Desplaines Avenue stop).

Our equipment inventory includes new Nidec-Shimpo VL-Whisper wheels, Shimpo pugmill, Skutt electric kilns firing with a full spectrum of high-fire glazes in an oxidation environment, as well as a Bailey Gas Kiln for reduction firing (at our Forest Park location). A variety of clay-shaping tools, cleaning supplies, and aprons are always in stock.

Students enrolled in classes will use ViaClay’s stoneware and glazes. Members can bring in other clay and glazes, but please check with a studio manager to be sure your materials are compatible.

The studio store does not stock tools and you are not required to purchase them to attend a class. Communal tools can be used at any time by anyone. Members may bring in their own tools and store them on their private shelves (or a secure locker).

Our studio photography is by David Kindler. See more of his work at dtkindlerphoto.com.

Our website was designed by Sasha Aleksandra G.

You may make up missed class time independently during Open Studio hours, but we do not offer instruction outside of the class schedule.

Please read our scheduling policies before booking classes. • If you cannot participate in a booked class, please email info@viaclay.com at least 24 hours before your session. If you notify us by email or phone more than a day in advance, ViaClay will refund 100% of your fee, less a $10 processing charge per seat. Classes are non-refundable if cancelled the same day. • We do not schedule make-up classes or offer partial refunds for missed sessions. • In the rare case ViaClay cancels a class — due to weather, equipment failure, or too few bookings — we will offer you another rescheduled date or a full refund, whichever you prefer.

Although clay is water soluble and rarely stains, aprons are provided and encouraged. For your own safety, you may be asked to remove clothing or jewelry that hangs or drapes, and to tie back long hair.