POTTERY NIGHT
An atmosphere and evening like no other in Waco.
Cost: $70 / person
When: Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, most weeks
Time: 6-8pm
Where: Outpost Pottery - 2012 N. Valley Mills Drive
Pottery Night Overview
Unleash your creativity in this social and hands-on pottery night experience. In these weekly pottery classes, you'll learn the basics of the pottery wheel; decorate, stamp and shape your own custom pottery, or customize pottery made by our professionals. Enjoy an evening and atmosphere like no other in Waco.
POTTERY NIGHT ACTIVITIES
The Pottery Wheel
Sit down, get messy, and try your hand at making pottery the traditional way - on the potter's wheel. We'll walk you through it, step by step, and you'll love it! We've taught over 400 students how to "throw pots", adults and children alike.
Hand Building Pottery
Imprint your words, images, textures and designs into wet clay. Build your own forms, figures and vessels or choose a damp, pre-made piece (called greenware) from our pottery. Colored slips can be used to "paint" your creations.
Paint Pottery
Grab a pre-fired piece pottery (called bisqueware) and turn it into something you'd want on your shelf at home. Use colored slips, brushes, stencils and screen prints to paint your pottery masterpiece.
Sample Texas' Best Pottery
Pottery is art intended for use. Enjoy your drinks in pottery made by renowned American ceramic artists. Our gallery features some of Texas's best potters and every beverage tastes better in a handmade work of art. Our fridge is stocked with sparkling waters and sodas, there's hot water for tea or coffee available on demand, and you're welcome to BYOB (or grab a bottle of wine from The Grape next door).
Who is Pottery Night for?
Pottery Night isn't limited to couples, or families, or any one kind of group - book a table for two, bring a friend, come as a family, or turn it into a birthday party where guests can book their own seat at the table. Seating for the studio is shared across everyone that night, so however your group is shaped, there's room.
Firing Fees & Shipping
Pottery Night is mainly about the pottery making experience, but if you want to keep your creations there is a $10 fee to finish and fire each piece. The firing and finishing process typically takes about one month. Specialty glazes combinations vary in price and painted bisqueware pieces follow the same process. If you're from out of town and need it shipped, we can arrange for that as well.
Paint Pottery
Grab a pre-fired piece pottery (called bisqueware) and turn it into something you'd want on your shelf at home. Use colored slips, brushes, stencils and screen prints to paint your pottery masterpiece.
Tips for the Pottery Wheel:
Our clay comes right out of clothes, but it can be messy! Pants and shorts are great for the potter's wheel. Skirts and low-cut shirts are not. Rings, bracelets and long necklaces can be problematic as can long fingernails. You also may want to put long hair up and out of the way in a hair tie.
What to Expect at Pottery Night
Arrive at the studio (2012 N Valley Mills Dr) and check in. Whether your reservation is for two or twenty, we will seat you at your assigned table.
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Next, grab a drinking vessel from a renowned ceramic artist. Our gallery features some of Texas's best potters and every beverage tastes better in a handmade work of art. Our fridge is full of waters, sparkling waters and sodas. Plus, there's hot water for tea and coffee on demand. Hot tea is our family's beverage of choice and we have a wide variety available. You're also welcome to byob.
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At your table you'll find some wet clay waiting for you. Make your mark! Stamp, draw, form and get your creative juices flowing, while we wait for guests to arrive. It's just practice.
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We'll give an overview of the potter's wheel at the beginning of the evening and walk you step by step on how to form a pot. We've taught these same seven steps to making a pot for the past eight years. We will rotate through all the guests in studio in 30-minute cycles. Everyone will get a turn.
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Like what you made on the wheel and want to decorate it? Get creative with all of the pottery implements on your table. Don't like what you made? No problem! Grab one of ours pre-made pots. It's yours to shape. Settle in and enjoy being creative with those you love.
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Hand-building is where creativity explodes. Don't think - just make! You can make functional ware like cups, candlesticks and jewelry trays. Or you can make figures, mythic animals, sconce sculptures, wall art, custom tiles - no boundaries except size. It's like permanent play-dough so let your childlike imagination run wild (kids love this, btw!). We'll teach you how to score and slip, the foundation of hand building, and you'll be off to the races.
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On our shelves you'll also find bright white, unglazed pottery: vases, pitchers, mixing bowls, mugs, cups, plates, and glasses of all sizes. These items are made by our artisans and have already been fired once. They are now ready to be customized with hand painted color (underglaze). Prices vary depending on the vessel. We'll get you set up with colored underglazes, brushes and decorating tools.
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You don't have to decide how you'll spend the evening ahead of time - it's a "figure it out as you go" kind of night. You're welcome to try as many items as you like. Our team is on hand throughout to help however much (or little) you'd like - full instruction if you want it, or just a quiet corner to yourself if you don't.
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Sessions run about two hours with plenty of time to get comfortable with whatever you choose to make, without feeling rushed.