Private Pottery Lessons in Ouray
Learn Pottery. Make Something Meaningful.
Whether you're discovering pottery for the first time, celebrating with people you love, or simply looking for a creative way to spend an afternoon, our private lessons are designed to help you slow down, learn something new, and create pottery you'll be proud to call your own.
No experience is necessary. Just bring your curiosity and we'll guide the rest!
Choose Your Pottery Experience
Whether you’re coming on your own, planning a date, gathering with family, or organizing a creative outing with friends, we have a pottery experience to fit your group. Every lesson is private, beginner-friendly, and tailored to your experience level, so you can relax, have fun, and create at your own pace.
Wheel Throwing Lesson
Experience the magic of the pottery wheel as you learn the foundations of throwing clay. From centering the clay to shaping your very first piece, this lesson is perfect for anyone who’s always wanted to try wheel throwing. No experience is necessary—we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Best for: Individuals or groups of 2–3
Duration: 1–4 hours
Price: $50 per person, per hour
Hand Building Lesson
Create beautiful pottery without the wheel using traditional hand-building techniques like pinching, coiling, and slab construction. Hand building offers endless creative possibilities and is a wonderful option for larger groups, families, or anyone who enjoys a more relaxed, sculptural approach to working with clay.
Best for: Individuals or groups of 2–10
Duration: 1–2 hours
Price: $50 per person, per hour
Combo Lesson
Looking for the best of both worlds? This experience combines wheel throwing with hand building, giving your group the opportunity to explore multiple techniques while creating a variety of unique pieces. It’s an interactive, creative experience that’s perfect for larger groups.
Best for: Groups of 4–10
Duration: 1–2 hours
Price: $50 per person, per hour
All materials are included, and everything you choose to keep will be fired. After your pottery has been bisque fired, you're welcome to return to glaze it in the studio or glaze it at home. Visiting from out of town? No problem! We can glaze your pieces for you and ship them after the final firing (shipping costs apply).
Our Lessons Are Perfect For...
• First-time potters who have always wanted to try the wheel
• Couples looking for a unique date or anniversary activity
• Families wanting to create something together
• Friends celebrating birthdays, reunions, or simply spending time together
• Locals looking for a creative hobby or afternoon outing
• Visitors wanting to experience something unique in Ouray
• Anyone who wants to unplug, create, and have fun!
Meet Your Instructors
Ouray Clay & Co. was founded with a simple belief: pottery should feel welcoming, approachable, and accessible to everyone.
Becca is the founder of NINAZUMA Pottery and Ouray Clay & Co. Since beginning her pottery journey in 2017, she's been passionate about creating beautiful, functional ceramics while making pottery accessible to everyone. Her work is inspired by her Okinawan heritage and the wild landscapes of the San Juan Mountains she calls home.
Natalie is co-owner of Ouray Clay & Co. and now leads our private pottery lessons. She loves helping students discover just how capable they are, creating a relaxed, encouraging environment where beginners feel comfortable asking questions, trying new techniques, and enjoying the creative process.
Together, we believe pottery isn't about making perfect pieces. For us, it's about slowing down, getting your hands messy, trying something new, and discovering the joy of creating something that's uniquely your own.
We can't wait to welcome you into the studio!
Client Reviews
“I surprised my wife with a day of pottery while in Ouray for our anniversary at Becca’s studio and it was the absolute best experience ever! It was Our first time in Ouray and pottery lessons, and it was one of the highlights of our trip! Becca was so attentive and patient. We couldn’t have asked for a better teacher. Her attention to detail, knowledge and love for the Art really showed thru her interaction with us! Our pieces came out amazing thanks to her and we will def book again when we are in the area! Highly recommend! Thank you Becca for an unforgettable experience!
Oh, and the candid pictures she took of us during the session as well as her vintage Polaroid that we got to keep, was a total surprise and bonus!! Def helps add to the memory of the trip!”
— Visiting out of state pottery student
(Private pottery lesson)
“Becca is an awesome instructor - open to your ideas, adaptable and ready to help with her expertise. She has created a wonderful, welcoming space to create. Highly recommend!”
-Ouray Local pottery student
(Private pottery lesson)
“Becca was amazing. Our mom came to visit us and we were looking for some low key activities for us to do and stumbled on Becca’s pottery class. We had so much fun learning to work the wheel. Been a was patient and thoughtful. We are going to pick up our pieces soon and are very excited to go back again! Thank you Becca!”
— Colorado local pottery student
(Private pottery lesson)