Pottery Classes in South Carolina

Where to Find Pottery Classes in South Carolina

South Carolina offers pottery classes in cities across the state. Charleston draws pottery lovers with studios like Spark Studios and Gallery. The city's arts district provides many creative spaces for learning ceramics.

Columbia has several great spots for pottery. State of the Art Studio (SOTA) in nearby Cayce serves the Midlands area. The Columbia Art Center offers community classes with 10 throwing wheels and studio tools. Southern Pottery gallery showcases work from over 30 local clay artists.

Greenville features Hollowed Earth Pottery, where teachers share 20 years of experience. They love working with new students. Beaufort offers McSweeney Clay Studio for children and adults in the Lowcountry region.

University towns provide more options too. The University of South Carolina has ceramics programs for art students. These college studios often host community workshops and events throughout the year.

South Carolina Pottery Scene Today

South Carolina has three unique pottery traditions that make the state special. Edgefield pottery started over 200 years ago when Dr. Abner Landrum used local clay. This alkaline-glazed stoneware was the first successful commercial pottery in the Southeast. Enslaved potter David Drake created some of the largest handmade storage jars ever made in America.

Catawba pottery in the northern part of the state represents the oldest North American art form still practiced today. Georgia Henrietta Harris helped bring back this Native American tradition in the 1970s with her beautiful snake pot designs.

The third tradition comes from Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets in the Lowcountry. These show how different cultures shaped South Carolina's craft heritage.

Today's pottery scene stays connected to this rich history. Master Potter Justin Guy keeps Edgefield pottery alive at Old Edgefield Pottery in Johnston. The Columbia Museum of Art celebrates six innovative South Carolina ceramic artists in their SC6 exhibit.

The South Carolina Clay Conference brings potters together each year in Newberry. Regional festivals like the Carolina Pottery Festival in November attract over 1000 pottery fans with nearly 100 regional artists showing their work.

Contemporary artists continue creating at places like Southern Pottery Workcenter in Columbia and Rock Hill Pottery Center. These studios teach new generations while honoring Carolina clay traditions.