Interested in pottery or want to develop your pottery skills and release your creative potential? This is the perfect guide for you. Whether you’re an Abu Dhabi citizen or a tourist visiting the city, this guide will walk you through the best pottery studios and workshops in the capital. Check out this blogpost The best arts and crafts classes if you are interested in crafting classes in Dubai.
Pottery at Art Central:
Art Central is a hub for all art lovers. Even if you’re a professional artist or an aspiring artist, this where you would want to unleash your creativity. Art Central, located in Alreem Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE, offers a variety of art services. For instance, they have an art venue, selection of high quality supplies, various art classes, and a framing store.
Art Central offers a range of different art classes. For example, they offer painting, drawing, drafting, printing, and pottery classes. They have the most specialized and professional art teachers that will guide you with every brushstroke you make.
They offer group and private pottery classes with an art teacher that will guide you in every step. In addition, their classes are spacious rooms and they provide you all of the supplies – from the pottery wheel, clay, glaze and many more.
The instructor that will guide you through this therapeutic art of working with clay is Christina Schweitzer. Christina is a highly-skilled art teacher that guides her students through every step of the class. From preparing the clay, shaping it to your desired design, and to glazing and firing the final design.
Our experience
Upon entering Art Central, the warm welcome immediately put us at ease. We headed to our designated class and sat at our seperate stations. Each student had their own pottery wheel, clay, and all tools that we needed. We were happy to find out that the price of this session included all the tools and they were provided free of charge. Then, we began our lecture with a brief introduction on the history of pottery. It was very interesting to know that pottery originated in Japan almost 16,000 years ago! Next, Christina demonstrated how we should use the pottery wheel. I was glad that she explained every step because I did not have any prior knowledge on pottery making.
After the demonstration, she told us to start while she walked around the class and made sure that everyone is doing it correctly. I had a question regarding how to make the clay go higher, and she immediately came and showed me how. Indeed, the class was very fun and relaxing at the same time. We really enjoyed listening to ambient music while we let out all of our creativity into our art. After the pottery class, we kept our pottery with them for up to a week in order for it to completely dry before they put it into the kiln and glaze it. I never thought I would experince pottery this much! It is impressive how skilled Christina was and how she was guiding us through every step.
Pottery workshop
They offer 1 class for 295 and a package of 4 classes for the price of 1050 AED. These classes are for 2 hours and require a prior online booking. All materials are provided.
Timing
Art Central is open every day from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Pottery at Abu Dhabi Pottery Establishment
Abu Dhabi Pottery Establishment is the capital’s first and oldest pottery studio, established in 1994. It is the perfect place for everything pottery related. Whether you’re looking for pottery and ceramics classes, pottery equipment and even repairs, they have it all!
Classes at Abu Dhabi Pottery EST
Abu Dhabi Pottery establishment is our go-to studio for all things pottery. They offer a wide variety of classes and workshops for both adults and children from ages 5+. Everyone is welcome!
We loved that classes were divided into 3 sections based on your ability level and age. We booked their single 2-hour session and were surprised by the amount of information and techniques we were able to grasp while still enjoying our time.
Classes are catered to everyone’s needs, whether you’re looking for a quick one-time session as a day activity, like we did, or you are looking to take the art of pottery and carving seriously with courses up to 12 sessions!
The most affordable pottery studio in Abu Dhabi
We found the rates to be quite reasonable for a one-time class given that all the equipment was included. Also, with the techniques we learned we were able to master pottery in the spam of the 2 hour class.
Prices vary depending on the class/course you wish to take, with a starting price of 155 AED up to 1,980 AED for adults and a starting price of 120 AED to 1,450 AED for children.
All bookings for 10-12 sessions includes a free 2-hour session for a friend of family, perfect for a fun activity. All tools are included free of charge.
What do they offer?
Not only does the studio offer classes and workshops, they also offer pottery equipment, tools and materials for sale for those who would like to indulge in the art of pottery in the comfort of their own home. Anything from pottery wheels to safety wear. We bought some extra clay and carving equipment from their supply shop to be able to apply the steps we learnt in the class at home. The studio also offers repairs and restoration for broken china or pottery. Anything pottery related? They have it all!
Location
Abu Dhabi Pottery Establishment is located at Dabbas St. (Street 16) opposite of Khalediya Garden, Abu Dhabi. Open everyday (expect Friday’s) from 10AM – 9PM.
Pottery at Manarat Al Saadiyat
We’ve all heard it before “The lockdown is making me go crazy”.
Now there are plenty of online courses available to entertain you. BUT what I’m about to share is no ordinary course.
We got The Fitness Challenge, Tiktok Challenges, all kinds of crazy things to keep a smile on our face. What about something to keep us grounded? Something to develop your creative skills, an art form that was perfected centuries ago and still practiced today?
Pottery comes to the UAE locked and loaded with workshops that eliminate your ability to exclude yourself with lame excuses.
I myself am an Art Enthusiast! Always open to explore different forms of expressing myself. I believe it frees the mind and it can be shared with others, something that we lack momentarily. Am I up for a challenge? YES. I never thought pottery making in the UAE would become a sought after activity, but it makes perfect sense! Take a break from the books, from the TV, from the computer, keep your mind busy, keep your kids busy, and recycle your OWN way!
Challenge your artistic skills
Abu Dhabi has just launched a beautiful workshop to practice your pottery skills! They will guide you every step of the way. Including all sorts of courses such as how to make pottery from scratch, which is great for those who’ve always wondered how on earth pots are made. One of the most wonderful things is the clay modeling workshop for kids.
Many of us don’t realize that kids are going through a very difficult time at the moment given how the pandemic affected us. The isolation might close them in, however this pottery workshop allows them to put that energy into something fun and active!
Range of Courses
If you’ve always wondered where to learn pottery, one of the incredible things of Manarat Al Saadiyat is the fact that you can learn it from your home. This virtual course will allow you to explore pottery and learn the fundamentals from internationally renowned sculptors. Now you’re thinking, “Where will I get all the materials?” from your home! The course offers a range of hands-on methods to create sculptures from household materials! Don’t throw it away! Sculpt it!
If you are ready to leave your house, make your way over to the Art Studio in Manarat Al Saadiyat where you can participate in workshops ranging from pottery wheel to hand-built ceramics. They will provide all the materials and equipment necessary.
Our Experience
From someone who’s experienced their fair share of workshops, I can tell you that I never felt so at peace whilst working on my craft, the dedication and sensation you feel while you build is truly alleviating. The instructors are so helpful and guide you every step of the way! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! The great thing is you can easily start over. This is truly a place where you can say: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Schedule
Tuesdays: Build & Sculpt: 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Wednesdays: Young Sculptors: 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Wednesdays: Hand-Built Ceramics: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Thursdays: Pottery Wheel: 10:30am – 12:30pm