The Clay Place is a community ceramic studio located in Douglas County and managed by Umpqua Valley Arts. This studio offers students and artists a high-quality, professional ceramic studio environment where they can build their art practice and develop their skills with organized classes and workshops for all ages and all skill levels. Please use the menu below to navigate our page and find the opportunity that is right for you!
ADULT CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
SGRAFFITO ALTAR WORKSHOP
August 26th & 28th
Tuesday & Thursday from 5:30pm-8:00pm
Join Instructor Shelby Rokus of Earth & Fern Co. at Umpqua Valley Arts’ The Clay Place for a two-day workshop! In this workshop, students will learn slab building techniques to create their own ceramic altar with decorative carvings. The first day will be all about hand building techniques to make the basic form of the altar, then the work will be covered to dry just enough for the second day where students will refine their projects and decorate them using a technique called “sgraffito”. After the workshop, UVA Staff will fire the works and coat them in a clear glaze.
ABOUT THE OPEN STUDIO
CURRENT OPEN STUDIO TERM HOURS
Monday: 10am-8pm
Tuesday: 10am-4pm
Wednesday: 2-8pm
Thursday: 10am-4pm
Friday: 10am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-4pm
The Clay Place Open Studio operates through four 8-week terms throughout the year. Each studio term offers two types of enrollment so that students and artists of all abilities (ages 16+) can choose the option that best fits their skill level and schedule, with access to facilities and equipment to give experienced artists a place to work, share ideas, and expand their skills.
Our studio has everything needed to create a masterpiece, including kick and electric wheels, a slab roller, a pugmill, glazes, and several kilns. Professional ceramicists lead weekly classes and are available to students for personalized instruction and support.
Enrollment Types
Full-Pack
Full-Packs are for students/artists who are new to the studio (no matter what your level of experience is) or seasoned artists who need more studio access. This option comes with full studio access, access to classes twice a week, and all studio amenities. (Full-Pack registration is required for all students who are new to the studio).
Mini-Pack
Mini-Packs are for returning students/artists who are self-guided, are experienced with the studio rules/guidelines, and who don’t need as much studio time. This option comes with 80 hours of studio time and access to all studio amenities including tools, equipment, glazes, and firings.
(Mini-Pack registrants not eligible for class attendance).
2025 CLAY PLACE SCHEDULE
2025 Fall Term
September 10th – November 8th
UVA Member Registration: August 12th
Non-Member Registration: August 19th
The Fall Term is UVA’s last FULL term of the year at The Clay Place. New AND returning students will have the opportunity to sign up for 8-weeks of clay exploration, skill building, and creation. New students and artists who need more time can sign up for our Full-Pack enrollment option. Returning students who don’t need access to the classes and less studio time are welcome to register for our Mini-Pack option.
Open to ages 15+. See registration form for more info.
2025 Bonus Term
November 17th – December 19th
UVA Member Registration: October 21st
Non-Member Registration: October 28th
The Bonus Term is UVA’s final term of the year at The Clay Place, and a special opportunity for EXPERIENCED Clay Place students to squeeze in some more clay time before the end of the year. Returning students will have the opportunity to sign up for 5-weeks of Studio time for special projects, making small gifts for the holidays, and more.
Open to registrants who have attended at least one term of Clay Place Open Studio in the last year.
See registration form for more info.
YOUTH CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
STAY TUNED! More youth programming coming soon for youth of ALL ages!
TEEN CLAY OPEN STUDIO
2025 SEPT SESSION
September 9th – October 2nd
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6pm-8pm
A BRAND NEW opportunity for teens at The Clay Place! Starting this September, Umpqua Valley Arts is introducing our Teen Clay Open Studio. This bi-monthly class invites students ages 12-16 to come learn the fundamentals of hand building and wheel throwing. Each session is 3-4 weeks long (approximately 6-8 sessions per month) with different projects during each session. Great for students with no experience, but artists of all skill levels are welcome to join.
Open to ages 12-16. Cost includes all materials/instruction.
Payment and Refund Policy: Full payment at time of registration is required for all adult/youth classes, workshops, and open studio sessions. Up until two weeks prior to the start of the class, workshop or term, you will receive a full refund (minus a $10 service charge) should you need to cancel your registration. However, cancellations made after this two-week time frame are nonrefundable. Should UVA cancel or reschedule the event, participants will receive a full refund or credit toward future classes.
The Clay Pod
The Clay Pod is the Clay Place’s very own podcast, focused on ceramics in the Umpqua Valley Region and the Pacific Northwest more broadly.
Episode 1: Ash Glazes with Clay Place Instructor Ted Isto
Episode 2: Ceramics and Bonsai with Artist Sam Rogers
Episode 3: Water and Vinegar in Clay and Glazes with Clay Place Instructor Ted Isto
UVA would like to warmly thank the following organizations and individuals for their contributions to our newly renovated space: the Dr. John Wm. and Betty Long Unruh Fund, Centerpointe Home Improvement, Manfre Design Source, Triple Oak Winery, the UVA Building Committee (with special thanks to Betty Tamm, Board Treasurer & Building Committee Chair, and Betti Manfre, Board Member & Building Committee Member), as well as the Clay Place Volunteers (with a special thanks to Sam Reitenbaugh for leading the volunteer clean-up and painting team, and to Bruce Gravens, for shelving).
To learn more about current and future opportunities for young artists, please engage with the links below or contact our director of youth arts education at artsed@uvarts.com. If you would like to partner with UVA to offer a youth camp, class, or workshop, please reach out to us here.