Staunton Clayground, a new downtown pottery studio, is offering classes and memberships

STAUNTON — While it has been offering pottery classes since April, Staunton Clayground will be officially opening for memberships July 6.

The downtown Staunton pottery studio is offered to beginners and experienced potters alike. Membership includes use of studio tools, equipment and materials, and includes glaze and firings. All members get a personal 2x4-foot shelf for storage and for space for pieces to safely dry. Individual and family memberships are available.

Located at 123 W. Frederick St., Staunton Clayground is in a new space called the Cellar. The entrance is located at the back of the Frederick Street post office.

Cary Dahl, founder and owner, has been taking pottery classes in the area for over 15 years.

“I kept signing up for classes because that was the only way to have access to the tools and equipment required to complete a piece of pottery," she said. "All I really wanted was for someone to open a community studio in Staunton where I could simply create on my own schedule.”

That someone turned out to be Dahl, deciding to open a studio herself. In searching for a space, she wanted a downtown location to take advantage of what she called the "artsy character of Staunton," one that Dahl believes provides a perfect synergy with pottery. She found a space in the old sorting room of the Frederick Street Post Office.

Landlord Will Wright turned the ground floor of the building into a set of office and studio suites called The Cellar, with an aim at attracting arts and crafts oriented businesses.

“It was my hope with The Cellar to develop a space where people could share ideas and create amazing things.," Wright said. "The Clayground fits in perfectly.”

With the help of connections through the pottery community and the Staunton Maker Space, Dahl found a studio manager. Jennifer Delare studied fine arts in Milan, Italy, and rediscovered pottery during the pandemic. She taught classes in Clifton Forge before joining the Staunton Clayground team.

“Being a part of this venture is a dream come true for me,” says Delare. “The only thing I love more than creating is having the chance to help others learn new skills to help them do the same."

The first class offered, Introduction to Pottery, was co-taught by Dahl and Delare. This included four classes in hand building techniques followed by four classes in wheel throwing and a glazing session.

“It was such a joy to participate in the first class at Staunton Clayground," said student Julie Caran. "Jennifer and Cary have created a pottery studio where there’s no shame in making a mistake and complete beginners and returning potters feel at home.”

Since that first class, several beginning wheel classes have sold out and the studio keeps adding more. Hand building workshops have included sculptural slab creations and geometric vases. Upcoming classes include weekday and weekend series of beginning wheel classes, a coil building class, and more slab-building workshops.

A summer camp collaboration with the Art Hive will bring kids into the studio to make planters, which they will paint and later fill with growing things.

“We are looking forward to more collaborations with other businesses and more offerings for children in the future,” says Delare.

For more information call (540) 480-0775, email [email protected] or visit the website stauntonclayground.com.

Classes are taught by a variety of local artists that bring a wide range of experience and knowledge to their classes. Current instructors include Nicole Hill, Janly Jaggard, and Brooke Fawley, with others lined up for fall classes.

"Teaching at the Staunton Clayground shows me the heart and drive of the community around me to make, be creative, and connect with people," Hill said. "My classes so far have brought a variety of people, skill levels, and life experiences. It is such a joy to see all these unique people come together and enjoy a connection through clay."

Several small groups of friends or families have scheduled private pottery activities for the summer, and a room for private events and paint-your-own pottery will be opening by next year.

Memberships will be rolling out slowly over the next several months starting in July, giving the staff time to assess membership capacity and add equipment and services as needed. Members will have dedicated members-only space and equipment, so that classes and members can peacefully coexist.

Parking for the studio and the open house event can be found behind the building or in the lot across Lewis St., in spaces reserved for The Cellar.

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton Clayground offering pottery classes in downtown