Clay Studio Program

Welcome to Farmington Valley Arts Center's Ceramic Classes. Members save 10% for a year on tuition (Clay Coop excluded).

Click here for membership information
Registration for WINTER classes opens November 9, 2025, at noon.
Registration for SPRING classes opens February 15, 2026, at noon.
Seats are limited to 8-10 students.

Cancellation Policy
To be eligible for a full refund or credit, you must cancel your registration more than 14 calendar days before the start of the class (subject to a $20 cancellation fee).
You will receive a 50% refund or credit if you cancel your registration between 8 and 14 calendar days before the class.
No refund or credit can be issued if you cancel with less than 7 calendar days' notice.

DECEMBER WORKSHOPS



Wheel Throwing Techniques

3 Mon, Dec 1-15
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Drew Darley

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Clay Studio Maintenance

3 Mon, Dec 1-15
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Drew Darley

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Guided Independent Study

3 Tues, Dec 2-16
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Erika Novak

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Pots with Thrifted Components

3 Tues, Dec 2-16
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Erika Novak

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Sculpting Animals

3 Wed, Dec 3-17
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Monica Hewryk

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Interim Clay Co-op

Dec 1-21, 2025

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Winter Classes 2026

Handbuilding



Working with Clay
All Levels

8 Wed, Jan 7 - Feb 25
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Monica Hewryk

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Combo



Intro to Ceramics: Wheel Throwing and Handbuilding

8 Thurs, Jan 8 - Feb 26
10:00 AM -12:30 PM
Elyse Cote

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Combo



Creative Clay: Wheel Throwing and Handbuilding

8 Tues, Jan 6 - Feb 24
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Erika Novak

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WHEEL THROWING CERAMICS



Wheel Throwing Monday
All Levels

8 Mon, Jan 5 - Feb 23
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Drew Darley

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Wheel Throwing Tuesday
All Levels

8 Tues, Jan 6 - Feb 24
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Erika Novak

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Wheel Throwing Wednesday
All Levels

8 Wed, Jan 7 - Feb 25
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM or
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Drew Darley

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Wheel Throwing Thursday
All Levels

8 Thurs, Jan 8 - Feb 26
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

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Intermediate to Advanced Wheel Throwing



Wheel Throwing
Intermediate to Advanced

8 Mon, Jan 5 - Feb 23
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Drew Darley

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CLAY CO-OP



Clay Co-op 2026

Winter Session: January 5 – March 1

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Give it a Spin Pottery Night



Give it a Spin Pottery Night

Friday, Nov 14, 7:30-9:00
Saturday, Nov 15, 4:30-6:00
Friday, Dec 12, 7:30-9:00
Saturday, Dec 13, 4:30-6:00

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Reserve Ceramic Studio / Task Sheet

Purchase Clay

Clay: $33 per 25lbs
Black Clay: $43 per 25lbs
Porcelain: $43 per 25lbs



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Clay Studio Director



Clay Studio Director Erika Novak

Erika is a ceramic artist who focuses on wheel-thrown collections of pottery both functional and decorative. Her work includes series of cups and mugs as well as vases, bottles, and hanging objects such as lamps and planters. Erika pulls inspiration from patterns and textures found in Art deco architecture, early 20th-century design, as well as patterns found in American Southwestern textiles. After studying ceramics and art in college Erika now works as a full-time potter creating and selling her work at nationally ranked art fairs and showcases. She and husband Drew Darley were recently featured in the highly regarded magazine Ceramics Monthly.

Clay Studio Manager



Clay Studio Manager Drew Darley

Drew is a full-time potter specializing in wheel-thrown vessels, with a strong emphasis on clean, refined forms. Inspired by both form and glaze chemistry, Drew's work focuses on creating crystalline, metallic, and iridescent glazes. He is passionate about exploring unique glaze effects that have never been seen before, meticulously formulating and mixing glazes by hand in small batches. His background in ceramics and mathematics has allowed him to find connections between these disciplines, particularly in glaze calculation and form. This unique perspective drives him to push the boundaries of his materials, constantly striving for innovation and excellence. Together with his wife, Erika Novak, he owns Round Trip Clayworks, a ceramics studio at the Farmington Valley Arts Center.