Meet Throw Clay LA at Their Annual Member Sale!
Mark your calendars! Throw Clay LA is holding its annual Member Sale on Saturday, November 14, from 10 am to –3 pm! I've personally attended the last few sales and have brought more than a few pieces home, including berry bowls, vases, decorative trays, and more. I'm preparing my wallet, because this year will be their biggest sale yet, with more than 20 members setting up along the sidewalk on Olive Street, right outside the studio.
I recently caught up with John Prescott, founder of Throw Clay LA, to hear what's happening at the studio these days and to learn more about the community that has grown around it.
Throw Clay LA opened in January 2020. John saw a neighborhood with plenty of great restaurants, bars, and coffee shops, but fewer places for residents to “do” something. With no other pottery studios in the immediate area, there was an opportunity to create a space for people to get creative and connect. More than six years later, John still appreciates South Park's character and the fact that there is always something happening in the neighborhood. After years of feeling like improvements were just around the corner, he is encouraged to see more visible progress, including recent efforts to finally remove graffiti from the Oceanwide Plaza towers.
A few years after opening, when the neighboring HIIT gym closed, Throw Clay took advantage of the opportunity to expand into the adjoining space. Since then, the studio has continued to grow, building a strong community of potters, some of whom have been members nearly since the beginning.
As someone who has taken advantage of their one-time classes and six-week courses, I can attest to the feeling of community inside the space. According to John, the community has developed through purposeful efforts as well as organically. Members hold monthly potlucks where everyone brings something to share (and everyone takes home leftovers, because there’s always too much food). The studio also offers weekly workshops included with membership, giving members opportunities to develop new skills and learn from one another.
You do not need prior experience or be a member to enjoy Throw Clay LA.
The studio offers one-time classes, perfect for trying something new on your own or with a friend. If you want to dive a little deeper, their six-week courses offer weekly instruction in both wheel throwing and hand-building, with options for complete beginners as well as those looking to build on their skills.
The next six-week session begins in early January, so now is a great time to explore the schedule on their website and find a class that interests you.
For those who want to dig deeper into pottery, the studio offers memberships that include weekly member workshops to keep improving your craft as well as monthly member socials.
The November 14th Member Sale is a wonderful opportunity to see what this creative community has been making. With more than 20 participating members and a wide range of prices, you will find handmade pieces that make thoughtful gifts, or something special for your own home.
The studio will also be open during the sale, so be sure to step inside.Theretail offerings have recently been expanded, with new shelves near the entrance filled with pottery available for purchase. If you are unable to attend the sale, you can shop the retail shelves any time the studio is open. But speaking from personal experience, the sale will have many more choices.
Throw Clay LA Annual Member Sale
Saturday, November 14 | 10 am–3 pm
1006 S. Olive Street, just south of Olympic Boulevard
Learn more about classes and membership at throwclayla.com.
Written by Michelle Morehead
Photos courtesy of Throw Clay LA