About
Our studio is aimed at beginners, hobbyists, and folks who want to learn the joy of playing with clay! We offer many ways to interact with clay from intro nights and workshops to 6-week sessions.
Owner
Throughout my many careers in film and television, travel, and non-profit events, pottery has always been an outlet for relaxation, meditation, and creativity. I opened Ballard Clay in my home in November 2021 to share my love of the craft and build a welcoming and supportive community. In September 2023 we moved into our current Market St location.
With Ballard Clay, I strive to make entering or returning to the world of clay less of a commitment, less intimidating, and all about the experience. We offer smaller commitments (6 weeks, instead of 8, 10, or 12) and small class sizes for an individualized learning environment. Whether you are starting out, or continuing your journey, Ballard Clay is the place for you.
I hope to see you in the studio soon!
Rebecca Sorensen · Ballard Clay, Owner
Photo cred: Dylan VanWeelden
Instructors
Teaches: Hand-building + Sip & Spin
Arianna fell in love with clay when she took her first sculpture class in 2009, soon shifting her focus and major accordingly. Since then, as a life-long-learner, she’s taken a handful of workshops and classes from studio production potters to indigenous instructors. Often referring to pottery as perfectionist therapy, she loves the meditative process of both hand-building and throwing, and the magical color combos that emerge after a glaze firing.
Teaches: All Levels Wheel
“Growing up in Maine, I fell in love with clay at a workshop retreat in high school, and went on to study ceramics in college under ceramicist Megumi Naitoh. Inspired by the Mingei Movement, I believe that using functional art in your everyday life can bring much more joy than using mass produced objects from machines and cheap materials. Armed with a passion for clay and the shared objective of Ballard Clay to make pottery a less-intimidating, joyful experience, I’m ready to help artists of any skill level build their skills and find their voice in pottery.”