I've been taking handbuilding pottery classes at another space in town but I wanted to try out…read morewheel throwing before committing to a full semester. My hand/eye coordination is not great (which is why I tend to gravitate towards sculpture and more controlled building) but wheel throwing is such an amazing artform I wanted to give it a shot, but I knew if I didn't enjoy it right off the bat that I didn't want to be stuck for weeks doing it. Luckily, Yourist offers a "try it out" wheel throwing session once a month and I was able to sign up for the May session along with my husband, cousin, and aunt. It was so fun to do this experience together with my family and I surprisingly took to the wheel pretty easily. During this session you're given a tutorial on the equipment then a demo with explanation of how to throw your own bowl, including posture, hand positioning, and tips for success. Then you're given three balls of wedged clay and are let loose to practice on your own as they instructors work the room to help you if you're struggling and cheer you on if you're doing well. You're then welcome to keep any three of the bowls you make and they'll fire and glaze them (based on your choice of glaze for each piece) for you for pick up a month later. First piece is $10 with every additional piece $5. I'm proud to say that I made 2 very nice bowls and one bowl that turned into more of a sake cup after I got too ambitious and the top of my bowl collapsed. But they all looked nice in their own way so I decided to keep all three. The glazes they have are really lovely, too, and make any piece, no matter how wonky (like my sad sake cup) look beautiful. I also found I loved the experience so much that for my next class I signed up for a hybrid wheel throwing and handbuilding class so I could get better at both. I also really enjoyed my time at this studio and have bookmarked several classes I'd like to take there in the future, including day workshops focused on specific topics. Once I feel confident enough in my foundational education I hope to also join the community workspace where, for a monthly fee, you have access to their studio to work independently. It's such a welcoming environment, I highly recommend checking it out!

This is a cool little studio. I was actually just stopping in at the convenience store that's in…read morethe same little strip mall and thought I'd stop in to see what Yourist was about. They have a tiny one-room gallery, but it's full of nifty pottery. Some of the items are mostly decorative, but the display also included useful items, like an olive oil/garlic plate, a soap holder, mugs and so on. There were many items for sale under $20 and even several under $10, and this would be a good place to pick up unique gift items for the artsy friend on your Christmas list. The other half of the Yourist building is a studio/art school. They offer classes for beginners and more advanced students, ranging from a beginner's class in throwing pottery on the wheel to a class in learning to glaze and paint the pottery you've already created. In addition to several classes for adults, they offer after-school kids clay classes as well, at pretty reasonable rates.

I have been going to the Clay Work studio for three years now and I love it! The classes are…read moreamazing - jam-packed with info - but they also offer 'independent potter' status, which gives you access to the entire studio. And the other potters are amazing, eager to help, and full of useful information.

Clay Work Studio is a wonderful spot to learn and grow. There is a place for everyone from very…read morebeginners to experienced potters. The classes are great ~allowing for lots of open studio time! It is nice to have opportunities to practice what you learn in class on your own. The potters are very welcoming and everyone is respected regardless of where they are at with their craft.

Family Fridays : painting soup mugs! So fun except for the little loudmouth jerk that won't STFU!…read more My little and had so much fun painting our mugs. It was a great experience to do this together. Two hour time was perfect. Good instruction and great supplies. I love the colors and getting creative though this is not my wheelhouse, it was still a lot of fun. Classes are very affordable. The instruction was great and gave me some ideas to play with layering. I had a little problem with using a gift card but they were great in the office to get us signed up and squared away. We'll definitely be back!

I've now taken one full semester of a pottery class (intro to handbuilding) and I loved the…read moreexperience so much I've signed up for another which begins next week! The structure is great, you have your set times for class but your registration also comes with 26 independent studio hours and 25 lbs of clay so you can use during the semester to come in and work at your own pace. I spent many a Saturday here zoning out with my headphones and working on my pieces, which was really relaxing. They also have pretty much all the tools you'll need, a variety of glazes to use, and not only do you have access to all of it as a student they handle all the firing of your pieces as part of your registration. My instructor, Daria is wonderful. So encouraging and knowledgeable. I signed up for my second class with her because I liked being under her tutelage so much! Outside of ceramics there's also classes in jewelry making/metalsmithing, drawing, mixed media, textiles, and more for adults, youth, and teens. There are also special one off workshops and "date night" sessions so you can try your hand at something before committing to a full semester or just having a fun night to spend with a partner or a friend. Outside of the classes the Art Center is just a wonderful place to visit. The front gallery has so many beautiful pieces available for purchase and the rotating gallery shows showcase a number of wonderful local artists and their works. Classes fill up quickly but members are able to register a few days before the general public so to give myself an edge to get the class and time I wanted I signed up a few months ago. In addition to first dibs there are a lot of other great perks like invitations to special member only events, discounts during special annual sale, and, most importantly, the fuzzy good feeling you get for supporting such a wonderful and educational arts non-profit.

My husband brought my daughter & I here to paint pottery. It was a cool experience. You pick your…read morepiece, pay, receive instruction, find a seat & paint. The space is clean. They had a decent amount of options to choose from. It is not a quick project, so expect to spend some time here. Prices start around $25. We were told 1-2 weeks to pick up the final project. I can't wait to see it. I would go back & paint again. It would be cool for groups as well.

My girls and I signed up for the Saturday pottery wheel class and it was such a fun experience…read more None of us have done an activity like this so it was pretty exciting. The class held about 12 people. Our instructor was so nice and patient. She helped everybody and left no student behind. It was so interesting to do! Our bowl shapes turned out pretty good! And we got to paint them! They'll contact us in 2-3 weeks when they're dry and finished

We definitely recommend coming to Ford City Potters for a creative, fun experience. Gisele Bick…read moreand Lisa Gabriele are awesome instructors. We have not done pottery since we were teens and in 2 hours, we created some amazing pieces . They were helpful, organized, friendly, and the work space was great. We cannot wait to come back and play again. Thank you so much for opening this wonderful place .

From the owner: Pottery is self-expression. Whether you're molding a mug, sculpting a vase, or crafting decorative…read morepieces, working with clay is the easiest, most satisfying way to bring your visions to life. The tactile nature of working with clay is deeply meditative, creating a deeper connection to your creative side. Stress Relief and Mindfulness: Pottery is more than just an art form; it's a therapeutic practice. It's true! It's science! The process of shaping, smoothing, and perfecting clay has proven to be incredibly calming. Working with clay might not burn the same amount of calories as yoga, but you can enter a state of mindfulness, reducing stress and tension from your busy life. Social Connection: It's hard to make new friends when you're older. But joining a pottery class is a fantastic way to meet new people and build a sense of community. We see it every day, people making new friends while making something with their hands. sharing tips, techniques, and stories with fellow potters. It's the sweetest thing.

If you are looking for a wonderful community of artists who share your passion for pottery, the…read moreClawson Clay Guild is the place for you! The owners Holly and Richard are wonderful instructors and more importantly, incredibly knowledgeable and kind. They have a built a community together that welcomes everyone. There are many classes to choose from: wheel throwing for beginners, advanced students, hand building, and even raku !

Awesome studio and people. They have 6 werks courses and…read morestudio time available. Large studio with hand build capabilities, raku firing and traditional methods. They provide clay and glazes.

All of David's pieces are beautiful and truly one of a kind. I'm lucky to own some of his work -…read moreone of his mugs is my favorite and I use it every time I make coffee. He prefers you to call ahead before stopping by the studio. Check him out if you're ever in the area! He also ships pottery if you can't make it in to the studio.

David is an amazing artist and teacher. Do your self a favor…read moreand buy his work you will love it for a life time! Also, you could not ask for a better teacher. Patient and fun!

Went to this place before dinner to kill some time. We painted ceramics and had a great time. I…read morewasn't sure how well they were going to come out, but they came out awesome. The staff was friendly and showed us the lay of the land. They even host classes.

Love this little gem! I've been a few times and each time I go I discover something new! It's a…read morecreatives dream spot to get lost and vibe! My friend and I made mosaics and then another friend and I painted some already crafted ceramics. Two completely different experiences and both equally enjoyable! The staff are friendly and always available to answer any questions.

Remember those ceramic Christmas trees that your mom/aunt/grandma used to trot out during the…read moreholidays? Before you let nostalgia overtake you and cause you to drop $100+ on a replica or a vintage version shipped from some hipster in Minnesota, I urge you to stop in at Bob & Hazel's to take a look at their original molds... and be prepared to have your mind blown. Until stopping in at Bob & Hazel's, I wouldn't have had a clue where to go for ceramics supplies or classes. When I first walked in, I was blown away by the sheer volume of molds- row after row of cool vases, statues, and of course those cute little Christmas trees. They have ceramic slip in bulk, as well as boxed clay, tools, glazes, and everything you need to make your own ceramic art. The lady working there mentioned that they have ceramics and pottery classes available on Wednesdays, though it sounded like those weren't written in stone. Best to call ahead to see if anything is scheduled. The biggest shock to me was that they will do the firing for you, from their molds or your own custom pours. I think the main reason I've never taken steps to get into ceramics is because the investment cost of a kiln is immense. Take that away, and ceramics are a pretty darn affordable hobby/craft, and much more interesting than all the crocheting and knitting I see filling the craft shows around town. This place is a hugely hidden treasure in downtown Pontiac. Come early, and know that it's closed on Sunday.

Lots of variety but couldn't find anyone to help. Did not see any mention of classes or cost for…read morefiring things. I really wanted to like this place . They do have a large assortment that is kind of expensive.

Liberty Athletic club is more expensive than most if not all other gyms in Ann Arbor, but I find it…read moreworthwhile, especially for families. The decor looks a bit dated compared to say the newly constructed L.A fitness - but the facilities are quite comprehensive - I use the strength training facilities, my partner makes use of the included fitness classes, and my kids love the indoor play area and pool, and great outdoor pool / recreation area during the summer. Great place to host birthday parties too. Hard to find this combo anywhere else. I also find that Liberty being independently owned leads to better service than I experienced at L.A Fitness and Planet fitness - the people who work at Liberty have often times been around for years and seem to care more. If you are a solo adult, the extra cost might be harder to justify. But for our family, this is hands down the best fitness club in Ann Arbor.

My husband and I have been members of Liberty Athletic Club for the last year and I have nothing…read morebut great experiences so far. In the last year they've been renovating quite a bit to update the spaces, equipment, etc, which has helped the overall vibe. They started by painting and reflooring the main workout room and are currently renovating and updating the indoor lap pool and hot tubs/saunas. The locker rooms are clean and the lockers are easy to use. The workout equipment is in great condition and even during their busiest times it's easy to get a treadmill or a bike. Plenty of TVs and things to keep you occupied with as well as you're huffing and puffing along. They have a few rooms for specialized classes--group fitness, spin and yoga. Now, I've only done the yoga classes so I can't comment on the others but the yoga classes I've attended were good (restorative yoga). I've always felt a million times better coming out than when I went in. There's a lot to do for families too. With a big kid's complex with a play area, rock climbing wall and indoor water park for fun during the winter months (also open in the summer). The outdoor complex is awesome and open Memorial to Labor Days. To be honest, this was the selling point for me. They have a few lap lanes for adult swimming (yes there are only two but I never had a problem getting a lap of my own this summer and I went several times a week) a bigger "play" area in that pool for the older kids/teens, and a splash/smaller pool for kids with a nice water slide. The outdoor cafe area has beverages, smoothies, frozen yogurt, and a few hot items for lunching. There's a small playground and even a few holes of mini golf in the complex as well. Plus outdoor tennis courts, of course. The club is big on tennis and they have a ton of courts inside as well. Plus classes, teams, and more. I feel like there's always a tennis club gathering when I'm there. There's a small indoor cafe as well with snacks, water, smoothies and such. They close around 7:30pm every day so it's more for lunch or a post-work pick me up before your workout. They have a small spa area upstairs with pedicures and massages. When you join you get a coupon for either or so I booked one and splurged on another. Great solitary environment. I had a beautiful pedicure and one of the best massages I've ever had. It's just a little pricey to do often, but if I could I would. It's definitely not a cheap membership, but I get a generous stipend from work for a fitness membership which covers most of the cost. If not for this I'm not sure I could swing it. But since I can, I try and make the most of my membership.