I'm a big fan of Cass Ceramics and appreciate that the studio has opportunities for folks with a wide range of ceramics knowledge and skills. I'm a ceramics novice and over the past year or so have taken a weekend workshop and three classes here with Cass, Lizzie, and Lauren. The instructors are super friendly, inviting, and helpful. As a beginner, I thought it'd be really complicated - from learning ceramics techniques to figuring out how get my pieces fired, glazed, etc. But the classes and workshops are super informative, and the studio has an efficient and easy to understand process of getting my pieces from start to finish. I look forward to taking more classes here :) read more

Cass Ceramics - sgraffito plate made during a Handbuilding 2 class - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Albany, California

I took my first wheel throwing class at Cass Ceramics in 2023 with Lauren as my instructor. I had never done pottery before and Lauren was so lovely and knowledgable and I learned a ton. The class includes the firing fees for up to 10 pieces and as much open studio time as you can make it in for. After my class was over I also took a glazing work shop. By getting a datly pass I was able to finish glazing all of my pieces. I have been going to the studio for years and like all the staff and the community is so supportive. Definitely worth giving it a try :) read more

Cass Ceramics - My first few pots! - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Albany, California

OK. I love this place. I have learned SO much at Cass and continue to do so. I recently took a hand-building, slab class with Lizzie, who is so fun, energetic and positive. We learned to make sgraffito plates, a large matchbox, bottles, and more. You can truly get lost in these projects, and its so therapeutic. Currently, I am taking a wheel teapot class with Lauren and she is so through, can rescue nearly any project thats going wrong, and she cracks me up! Part of the class involves 'throwing off the mound' which is an interesting technique where you can throw a small piece, cut it off, and then continue to throw, using the same mound of clay. So useful for throwing a lot of little things one after the other. If you are looking for a ceramic studio thats not intimidating or competitive (you know the spots) Cass is for you. You will learn a lot, feel supportive, and likely, make new friends. read more

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My wife had been talking about trying out pottery for a while before signing up for a class here. Over the past two years I have had the pleasure of watching her hone her skills and expand her abilities as she has advanced and branched out into other techniques through classes and eventually becoming a member. Our house is now adorned with many of her pieces and our friends and family have been happy recipients as well. Beyond that she has found a great community and a space where she can go to explore her creative side and be empowered by other members and staff. I am so happy that she has a place to flex her creativity, and I'm excited to see what she brings home next!! read more

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I started at Cass Ceramics about 3 years ago - taking my first ceramics class ever there. Cass was my first instructor and was fabulous. Her instructions were clear, she was VERY patient, and I felt super supported during the 6 weeks. When my nieces came to visit, I bought a day pass for them and a private lesson for each from Cass. I knew firsthand how good she was with a novice student. :) :) I later took Wheel 2 and 3 and had Lauren as an an instructor.... also an amazing and talented instructor. At this point, she's "my instructor" and I continue to take private lessons with her. I eventually became a member and cherish the community at Cass Ceramics; it's SUCH a great group!! Overall, it's a welcoming environment with great instructors (I haven't had Lizzy, but have been in the studio during plenty of her classes = highly recommend as well!). I highly recommend Cass Ceramics! read more

Love, love, love this place! I started going to Cass Ceramics for drawing when they first opened. In the years since I've taken classes and become a member. The staff and owner are knowledgeable, generous with their time, and always happy help. It's the creative community I was looking for when I first moved to the Bay 12 years ago. read more

Cass Ceramics - Arts & Crafts Near Me - Albany, California

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I've come to call this place "my studio", and it is truly a gem. It is an important community, which is welcoming, women- and queer-friendly, and full of kindness and encouragement. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, you're met with support, not judgment. The instructors and fellow potters alike foster a sense of belonging that makes it easy to take creative risks and grow. I always leave feeling inspired and seen. I'm incredibly grateful for the creative space and people at Cass Ceramics! read more

Great community studio. I took a six week class and I learned so much. Open studio rates are a bargain!

I love Cass Ceramics. I started taking classes last year (both one day and six-week sessions). And the instructors could not be more committed to you being successful and leaving with a finished piece you feel proud of. The community there (students, open studio users and members) are kind, supportive and inspiring. I can't imagine a better place to come to try ceramics for the first time, to refresh and learn new skills or to come work in a thriving, inclusive and creative community. read more

I started coming to Cass in November of 2021, a few months after it opened. I became immediately smitten with the art form, the space, and the community. I started with a holiday workshop, which turned into a two-hour private lesson on the wheel with Cass (the owner), and I eventually signed up for a 6-week wheel class and joined as a member in February of 2022. In all, I have taken about 5 wheel and hand-building classes and a handful of workshops, and I come to the space very regularly as a member. Having been taught by all of the instructors at Cass, I can say they are all talented, patient, and kind, and I have learned so much from each of them! The courses and memberships are quite competitively priced for this area, especially given what benefits come with them (open studio time, clay and glaze, firings, etc.). The staff has done a great job taking feedback and improving the space, their offerings, and their processes over time, and I have no doubt they will continue to do so as the community evolves. It's truly been a pleasure seeing Cass Ceramics become a "third space" for so many people in our community. The staff, members, and regulars at Cass welcome everyone and are excited to share the joy of this art form with whoever wants to join in! read more

I was so excited when Cass Ceramics opened up in my neighborhood a few years ago, and now I can't imagine Albany without it! The knowledgable staff and approachable vibe make this studio a fantastic place for potters of all skill levels to learn, practice and grow. I've taken several classes and workshops over the years, learning new skills & approaches from each instructor. My daughter has enjoyed taking the kids' classes and had a pottery birthday party, too! I am so grateful for this friendly, supportive creative community. read more

I've been a member since 2022 after taking my first class with Cass. She made it all feel approachable and I felt so inspired after the course that I immediately signed onto a membership. All the instructors are lovely and so helpful. It's a welcoming environment and really creates a sense of community surrounding art and the celebration of everyone's takes and styles. I always recommend for kids classes and adult classes and workshops! read more

I've taken classes from almost all of the instructors here and would recommend all. While each has a different approach to teaching, all are patient, supportive and go the extra mile to make each class a good experience for their students. I can't say enough good things about Cass and her crew; the studio is an unusually warm and welcoming environment, and I feel lucky to have this resource so close to my home. read more

I have been coming to Cass Ceramics since January 2022 when I took my first 6 week course. I thought my class started at 7 instead of 6p (my own fault) and when I called, the instructor welcomed me to still participate and watch and learn even though I was super late and she was so understanding. Completely new to the art of pottery making I was so impressed with the instructors, support, open space, and welcoming community. I received so much positive encouragement and the foundational knowledge that really equipped me for success. Although I have my own wheel at home, I continue to come because its such an amazing learning environment and community and the classes they offer are always evolving. Some pottery studios can be intimidating making you question your own artistic ability but the vibe and people at this studio is awesome. The instructors all make you believe you can do anything without judgement. read more

I love Cass Ceramics. I have taken numerous classes and am now a member of the studio. I have taken a class with every teacher at the studio and they are all great instructors and lovely humans. I took my first throwing class ever with Cassidy and she set me up for success. Cass Ceramics is a friendly, low key and high quality pottery studio. The community is encouraging and welcoming. The costs are reasonable and the hours are great. The team at Cass Ceramics have created an amazing place that has allowed me to go from total novice potter to a hobby potter who loves throwing on the wheel. read more

As an aspiring potter, I have taken ceramics classes at several studios over the years, including a couple other Bay Area studios (I won't name names) and out of all of them Cass Ceramics has had the most effective and engaging teaching methods and care for their students. Because of their instructors' dedication to skill building, as well as assurance that you will come out of their workshops or classes with a finished piece, and the opportunity for tons of studio time I finally was able to get past a beginners understanding of throwing on the wheel and feel like I can call myself a growing artist. Lauren, Lizzie, and Cass all bring their unique strengths, expertise, and knowledge to a wide variety of general and specialized courses, so there is plenty of room to experiment and move from basic skill to more advanced technique. And they have fostered such a truly wonderful community of encouragement from members and studio visitors. Honestly, I cannot recommend this place enough, both for those just beginning and those looking for a continuing ceramics community. Plus even better, Cass Ceramic s is a womyn owned, LGBTQ affirming business! read more