13 Best Pottery Classes in Winnipeg for Beginners and Pros
There’s nothing quite like spending a couple of hours molding clay, feeling it squish between your fingers. Before you know it, you’ve created something totally unique—whether it’s a perfectly imperfect mug or a wobbly bowl with character.
That’s why, when my bestie asked me to join her for a pottery class, I didn’t just settle for any random spot. Nope! I went on a mission to find the best pottery classes Winnipeg has to offer—based on reviews and that all-important mix of fun and learning.
So, if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, check out our guide. We reveal the top spots in Winnipeg that’ll free the hidden ceramic artists inside you (yes, even if they’re waaay in there!).
The Pottery Bug Studio
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Website: https://www.potterybugstudio.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_pottery_bug_studio/
Address: 290 McDermot Ave
Hours: Tue – Wed, Fri: 4 PM – 9 PM
Saturday: 2 PM – 9 PM
Contact: (204) 417-1199
If you’ve ever wanted to try making pottery, Pottery Bug Studio’s wheel-throwing classes are a great start. You’ll learn how to use a pottery wheel to shape bowls, mugs, plates, or vases—a little messy, and a lot of fun!
If you’re more into sculpting things by hand, their hand-building classes let you make all sorts of cool stuff without the wheel. One week you might be making garden ornaments, and the next week you could be creating jewelry boxes.
Once your piece is ready, you’ll want to join a glazing class. This is where you add color by painting your pottery before it goes through its final firing. The result is a shiny, colorful finish that looks amazing (fingers crossed!).
| Pro Tip: The Pottery Bug Studio recommends that you wear old clothes (because, you know, pottery gets messy) and tie your hair back. |
Artful Owl
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Website: https://artfulowl.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artfulowl/
Address: 16-1700 Corydon Ave
Hours: Mon – Fri: 10 AM – 7 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (204) 487-2012
Artful Owl offers fun, once-a-week classes designed for children as young as two years old, where little ones can dive into painting, drawing, and, of course, pottery.
One of their popular classes is the seasonal Clay Jack-o-Lantern workshop, where kids get to make their very own pumpkin with a carved face out of clay. These clay pumpkins are then fired in the kiln and glazed orange by the staff.
We like that their art classes are kept small, with no more than 10 students per teacher. Meaning, your child gets the attention and guidance they need to improve their art skills.
| Pro Tip: Artful Owl also offers awesome art parties, perfect for birthdays or a fun night out for adults! These two-hour events let participants of all ages create pottery or other art projects for an hour, followed by an hour to celebrate and party. |
The Third Place Winnipeg
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Website: https://thethirdplacewinnipeg.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethirdplacewinnipeg/
Address: 66 King St
Hours: Tuesday: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 9 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM – 1 PM
Contact: [email protected]
The Third Place is named after the concept of a “third place”—a special place where you’re not at home or work, but somewhere you can just relax and be yourself.
Try their Ceramic Slab-Built Vase Workshop; for three fun-filled hours, you’ll learn the basics of working with clay and hand-building techniques to create your very own vase. Plus, you get to enjoy some light refreshments while you work!
After the workshop, your vase goes through the whole firing process—dried, bisque-fired, glazed with a clear coat, and then fired again. This will make it shine when you pick it up—a unique, handcrafted piece you’ll treasure for years to come.
| Pro Tip: If vases aren’t your thing, The Third Place has other workshops like the Ceramic Mug Workshop and the Personality Pot Workshop. There’s something extra special about sipping your morning coffee or decorating your space with something you’ve made! |
The Stoneware Gallery
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Website: https://stonewaregallery.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonewaregallery/
Address: 778 Corydon Ave
Hours: Mon – Sat: 10 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (204) 475-8088
The Stoneware Gallery is one of Canada’s longest-running pottery shops, having been around for over 40 years. With eight classes each week, you’ll get a chance to learn the art of using a potter’s wheel, and even explore reduction firing.
Their regular pottery sessions run from September to June and are kept small, with only 11 people per class. You can sign up for one class per week, with a minimum two-month commitment, but many students stick around for much longer.
The studio itself features a gas kiln shared by students, members, and local potters. If you find yourself hooked and want more studio time, sign up for unlimited non-class studio access for just $80 a month.
| Pro Tip: If summer’s more your speed, The Stoneware Gallery also offers 8-session summer pottery classes in July and August, with both morning and evening options. |
The Edge Gallery & Urban Art Centre
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Website: https://www.edgevillage.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theedgegallery/
Address: 611 Main St
Hours: Tue – Thurs, Sat: 1 PM – 5 PM
Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (204) 880-0771
For over 10 years, The Edge has been hosting clay classes, led by the talented Toludare Toluwalope. He’s a professional ceramic artist from Nigeria with a Ph.D. in Industrial Design.
If you’re new to pottery, their 2 and 4-session Beginner Pottery Workshops are the perfect introduction. You’ll learn the basics of wheel throwing and even discover the secrets of glazing to create your own unique pieces.
For those looking for a deeper dive, The Edge also offers 8-week Pottery Workshops, which include all the clay, tools, firings, and glazes you’ll need.
| Pro Tip: The Edge has an awesome Pottery Jam session for kids ages 5-14—a fun, messy party where kids can make anything from cups and ice cream bowls to monsters and animals. |
Winnipeg Art Gallery
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Website: https://www.wag.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wag_ca/
Address: 300 Memorial Blvd
Hours: Wed – Sun: 11 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (204) 786-6641
The Winnipeg Art Gallery, or WAG-Qaumajuq, is not only home to an incredible collection of over 27,000 artworks but also a cool place to learn pottery.
For adults, the Monday Pottery class is a great place to start. You’ll learn all about hand-building techniques like slab building and slump molding, as well as how to use the potter’s wheel. The class also covers glazing and decorating techniques.
For kids and teens, WAG offers Clayworks classes. Under the guidance of Disa Haldorson, a talented multidisciplinary artist, young students will work on a variety of functional and sculptural projects using simple hand-building techniques.
| Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift, WAG has you covered with gift cards for their art classes! You can gift a class to a friend or family member. |
Forum Art Centre
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Website: https://forumartcentre.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forumartcentrewpg/
Address: 120 Eugenie St
Hours: Tue – Fri: 10 AM – 4 PM
Contact: (204) 235-1069
The founders of the Forum Art Centre believed that no one should have to “qualify” to take an art class—all you need is a desire to learn and create. So, this non-credit art organization has something for everyone, with over 75 classes and workshops per year.
For pottery, they offer classes dedicated to both wheel throwing and handbuilding, which are two key techniques in making pottery. And if you want to master both, they’ve got classes led by the talented Tolu Toludare from The Edge.
For younger artists, the Preteen Pottery class is a fantastic option. With a mix of group demonstrations and individual guidance, this class covers the basics of hand-building and gives students the tools they need to experiment with clay.
| Pro Tip: For those serious about keeping your pottery skills sharp during the summer, don’t miss out on Forum Art Centre’s Summer Clay Studio Pass. This pass gives you unlimited access to the studio during scheduled hours all summer long! |
University of Manitoba’s School of Art
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Website: https://umanitoba.ca/art/facilities
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolofart_um/
Address: Ceramic/Sculpture Bldg, 47 Service 1 Rd S
Hours: Depends on the class schedule
Contact: (204) 474-9560
The U of M’s School of Art has state-of-the-art facilities available 24/7, and you’ll have all the resources you need to dive deep into ceramics. In fact, their Ceramics and Sculpture building is a purpose-built space designed for three-dimensional media.
For instance, there’s equipment for clay and slip-making, a glaze lab, and various firing options, including electric and experimental kilns, and a wood-fired “Train” kiln.
As a student at the School of Art, you can tailor your learning experience to suit your interests. You can focus solely on ceramics or broaden your horizons by incorporating other media like sculpture, painting, or graphic design into your studies.
| Pro Tip: The School of Art is accessible around the clock, but safety is always a priority. The university offers a Safewalk service through UM Security Services, which means you can call for an escort to walk you safely across campus anytime, day or night. |
Pottery by Tolu
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Website: https://potterybytolu.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/potterybytolu/
Address: 132 Park East Drive
Hours: Depends on chosen class schedule
Contact: (204)-506-0437
Pottery by Tolu is led by a professional ceramist from The Edge with a passion for both the art and science of ceramics. Tolu’s work combines contemporary techniques with the influence of African and Asian styles.
Tolu offers private pottery classes with just two spots available—ideal for couples or friends. This 2-hour session is designed for beginners and intermediate learners who want to improve their wheel-throwing skills.
For those wanting a deeper dive into pottery, Tolu’s 5-Week Intensive Pottery Class is the perfect option. Held on Wednesdays and Fridays, each class is 2 hours and 15 minutes, giving you plenty of time to explore throwing techniques.
| Pro Tip: If you’re not only interested in learning but also want to bring home some of Tolu’s incredible work, be sure to check out his online shop. From mugs and vases to planters and soap drainers, his pieces are not just functional but truly works of art. |
Prairie Fusion Arts and Entertainment
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Website: https://www.prairiefusion.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prairiefusion/
Address: 11 2 St NE, Portage la Prairie
Hours: Mon – Wed: 10 AM – 3 PM
Thursday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Contact Details: (204) 239-6029
With a mission to teach, share, and celebrate artistic expression, Prairie Fusion offers a variety of fine arts classes, including drawing, painting, pottery, and sculpting.
For kids, Prairie Fusion offers Pottery A, B, and C, geared towards ages 7-15. The best part is that they can continue to build their skills by signing up for additional sessions, where instructors work closely with each student to help them grow as young potters.
If you’re looking for a fun bonding experience with your little one, their Caregiver & Child Pottery class is a wonderful option. Open to children as young as 3, this class allows you and your child to explore the joys of clay together.
| Pro Tip: For adults, Prairie Fusion offers super fun pottery classes on Monday evenings, Tuesday mornings, and Tuesday evenings. You’ll get hands-on experience with wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques. |
Art Gallery of Southwest Manitoba
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Website: http://www.agsm.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agsmagram/
Address: 710 Rosser Ave #2, Brandon
Hours: Tue – Wed, Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
Thursday: 10 AM – 9 PM
Contact Details: (204) 727-1036
With over 100 years of serving Brandon, The Art Gallery of Southwest Manitoba is the oldest visual art center in Manitoba and one of the first in Canada. They offer diverse pottery classes, perfect for both beginners and those looking to expand their skills.
For those new to the potter’s wheel, AGSM offers Throwing 1: Pottery Wheel Basics for the Beginner. This beginner-friendly class will guide you through wheel throwing, starting with the essentials like wedging clay, centering, and forming your pieces.
If you want to level up, Throwing II: The Next Step on the Wheel is for you. In this class, students focus on refining their forms, creating bowls, plates, vases, and more.
| Pro Tip: For those who already know their way around a potter’s wheel but want to perfect their bowl-making skills, AGSM offers the Cylinders to Bowls class. This fun course focuses entirely on bowls, from small tea bowls to larger ramen and soup bowls. |
Mud and Ink Studios
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Website: https://www.jilliansareaultceramics.ca/mud-and-ink-studios
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mudandinkstudios/
Address: 551 Saskatchewan Ave W, Portage la Prairie
Hours: Mon – Wed: 12 PM – 7 PM
Saturday: 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 2 PM
Contact Details: (204) 903-6847
Mud and Ink Studios is co-run by Jillian Sareault, who holds a BFA from Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
One of the most popular offerings is their Adult Wheel Throwing class, taught by Jillian herself. This 8-week course is small-scale, with only six students per class, allowing for plenty of personalized attention.
They also offer a special Parent and Child Pottery class, where you and your little one can explore the world of clay together. Aprons and towels are provided, so you don’t even need to worry about the mess—just focus on the fun!
| Pro Tip: Mud and Ink’s store is packed with handmade goodies—you’ll find everything from soaps and candles to crochet items and, of course, pottery. |
Steinbach Arts Council
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Website: https://steinbacharts.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steinbacharts/
Address: 304 2 St, Steinbach
Hours: Mon – Thurs: 8:30 AM – 7 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Saturday: 9 AM – 1 PM
Contact Details: (204) 346-1077
Steinbach Arts Council’s Cultural Arts Centre is home to over 60 diverse programs, including an exciting pottery program that caters to all skill levels.
Their classes are not just about creating beautiful pieces, but also about learning essential techniques like hand-building, wheel throwing, glazing, and firing. Here, you’ll be guided every step of the way by experienced instructors.
Kids aged 5-12 can have fun with clay in the Hand Building with Clay class, while teens aged 13-17 can get started with the Beginner Youth Pottery class. For adults, there’s a Beginner Pottery class, and an Intermediate/Advanced Pottery class is offered as well.
| Pro Tip: If you see a “CLASS FULL” note, don’t worry—you can still join the waitlist by emailing or calling. The class spots listed online are updated manually, so it’s always a good idea to reach out directly. |