About what lead me to craft school...

I have been fortunate to have had an abundance of experiences in both workshops offered via the ceramics organizations I am a member of as well as through the various Craft and Art Schools available in the USA as well as internationally.

While attending a workshop with Katie Maloney offered by the Ceramic Designers Association of SE Virginia (our local ceramics guild), I was mentioning to a clay friend that I would be heading to the Utilitarian Clay Symposium VIII the day after which is held at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. They asked what that was all about and a bit more about Arrowmont and some others overheard and wanted to hear it all!

So here it is - Amy's guide to Clay Camps and Craft Schools as promised for my local guild and beyond.

First off - there are over 100 locations in the USA alone that offer Camps and longer-term sleep-over workshop style classes in more than just clay. I've been to a bunch, but not all of them (yet!). Most of these locations offer long-weekend or week-long style workshops. Some also offer online versions of some of their workshops. The long-weekend or week-long style is my preferred learning method since I already spend too much time in front of a computer screen.

When we started to talk about them - the questions centered around the quality of the workshops, the quality of the accommodations, and of course the quality of the food. Clay people - particularly those who make vessels for food - like good food! So, I'll highlight those features of each as well. Most don't require that you stay 'on-campus' for the duration of the workshop; however, that can be part of the overall experience too. In all cases, I recommend the meal-plan at minimum if one is offered at the school. If you are going to take a dedicated long-weekend, week, or even longer to concentrate on building your creative skills - it makes sense to completely immerse and without any of the distractions of daily living. Some of the schools also offer longer-term residency options for those who are in need of a longer period of creative immersion. 

In 2024 - I decided to treat myself to a year of workshops. My goal was really to determine if I wanted to go back to school in a more formal manner for an art degree. After 30+ years working with clay, I never really had the opportunity to immerse and gift myself the years of learning those who follow an MFA track are blessed with. My learning was always punctuated between my IT career or as side-gig business efforts and through brute-force practice in my personal studio. I attended a variety of workshops with the Syracuse Ceramics Guild while living in New York - that was my extent of learning outside of college through the years until moving to Virginia in 2013 albeit with some fantastic teachers even so.

By 2024, I had only been to one formal "Craft School" outside of the workshop scene - John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. That was back in 2017 when one of my clay VHS mentors from the 1990's decided to come out of the woodwork and teach a workshop (Stephen Jepson). I convinced two of my clay besties to come with me to that class and off we went for a week at Clay Camp. We chose a dorm style room with 3 other women for a total of 6 of us and one shared bathroom. John C. Campbell Folk School offers over 800 classes year-round on their lovely campus. Everything from Blacksmithing, to Book Binding, Painting, Weaving, Fiddle Learning, Baking and Cooking, Glass, Metals, Jewelry, and Clay - you name it in the craft space in Appalachia they probably teach it there. Their format is typically week-long experiences; however, they also offer some shorter classes as well. After that experience - I was hooked! 

I found Utopia! - I still say Craft School is my Utopia and I'd retire to a condo in a heartbeat near one of my favorites one day!

Some of the Schools Available and My Review!

Since then here are the schools I've been to with a little review of each for those who might be interested:

• John C. Campbell Folk School - My intro to this world and grateful for it. I love this school. One thing I would change in the future would be the living arrangement chosen; however, just wait - I made the same mistake in 2025! Sleeping with 6 women and one shared bathroom was not ideal for me - particularly because I was the driver to get me and my friends to "Clay Camp". We took two days to get there with a stop touring Asheville, NC on the way. Directly it would take about 9 hours to drive without stops from Norfolk, VA to Brasstown, NC. Now that I've been to a few other schools, I can say that the clay studio on this campus is one of the smaller room sizes, but the offerings are not. They have specialized kilns for wood etc. firing needs, a drying room, and enough wheels in the wheel-throwing area to accommodate a class of about 12 plus teacher and assistant. The grounds are lovely to walk around. The location is quite remote; however, there is a town not too far for groceries or sundries if needed. There are artists who have settled in the area if you wanted to check them out. There are plenty of places for hiking and out-of-doors recreation or relaxation if you have the energy for that after a day of clay. They have full-service meals with breakfast, lunch, and dinner calls by the sound of a big bell that brings everyone from all over campus into the dining hall. I think they accommodate about 300 people (guessing) across all of the classes simultaneously. If you are lucky you'll meet some people taking the cooking classes and get to sample the items they are making through the week. The food was really great - and they even accommodated my need for gluten free. A new friend and I did some mineral hunting/digging one evening after class, but in general the studios are open 24/7 while you are there for full immersion. Typically during each week the school sponsors either a Dance or a Music/Jam session of some sort which was really fun. The last day of classes for a session everyone brings their creations into the main Big Barn on tables where you can walk around and see all the creativity that blossomed through the week. They also have a campground!
• Peter's Valley School of Craft - Is in Layton, NJ which is north of the Delaware Water Gap crossing between Pennsylvania and New Jersey in a remote location in New Jersey that is a part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation which the school leases buildings from. I actually did not go here for a Clay class! I attended instead a Plique 'A Jour Jewelry making long weekend with my cousin in 2024. We stayed in a 2 person room with shared bath and kitchen space in one of the houses that accommodates about 12 people very close to the Clay Studio. So, of course i had to check out the Clay options here as well. The clay studio is large, and well equipped. They have a large Anagama Kiln built into a hillside behind the main clay studio as well as other fun kiln options. They have a spectacular bone yard all about the clay studio with bisque'd archives of those who have taught before. My cousin did not like the bugs at this location. (We had a large millipede inside the entry to the room one day, and she complained of ants). The building we stayed in is old and this is a spot in the middle of no-where NJ. I think the closest store is 40 minutes or more away, but the setting is pristine. If taking a class in Jewelry or Woodworking - bring a car - it's down a long dirt road through some marshlands and AWD or 4WD would be useful to get there. It's not a short walk to get to these studios from the main portion of campus. The main portion of campus consists of a few homes converted to dorms, a dining hall, an outdoor dining pavilion, a gallery building, and main office building. It accommodates (guessing) maybe 60 people simultaneously across the various studios. The clay studio is down a little road not too far down the main road from the dining hall - it's walkable daily easily considering the weather. The food was just okay at Peter's Valley. Everything seemed a bit greasy to me. They had a good salad bar. I was not too sure they really knew what gluten was. Everything was served cafeteria-style except the self-serve salad bar. The mosquitos can be harsh in all the marshy area around the campus. The accommodations were sufficient to me. Nothing fancy, the bedding was really nice crisp and clean. I'd bring my own towels next time. The studio was open 24/7 as long as someone else was there with you (the buddy system). Bears could be a thing on this campus, but we didn't see any while we were there.
• Sugar Maples School of Creative Arts - Located in Maplecrest, NY - you won't find much else in Maplecrest, but I love this school. It's in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of NY about 1 hour from Albany by car. There are several cute towns worth exploring nearby: Windham, Hunter, and Tannersville along with an abundance of hiking, waterfall trails, and other steep terrain options. This is in the surrounding area where mid 19th century landscape painters of the Hudson River School found their inspiration. The scenery is gorgeous even right on campus which is tucked between a stream to the south and mountains to the north. The campus is what was the former Maplecrest Resort - a family all-inclusive resort catering primarily to those looking to get out of NYC. 
  
  (Think where "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" family summered if you watched that show!).
  
  I've been to Sugar Maples 3 times now; twice in 2024 and once this year (2025). All of the classes I have taken there have been spectacular and by top-notch professionals in their fields. The campus consists of the Directors home, housing for instructors and residents, a resort style dorm building, a weaving studio, a clay studio, a painting studio, and a meeting hall in an old church. On the campus is also an amazing organic farm serving the campus and surrounding community on Saturdays with a waiting line to pick out some of the tastiest and fresh produce you'll ever experience. The clay studio is in a two story building with hand building and sculpture workshops upstairs and wheel-throwing classes downstairs. Both have electric kilns available, a decently stocked glaze lab area, and there is a wood-fired soda-kiln up a hill behind the old church now gathering hall. The accommodations here get the highest rating of any of the schools I've been to - although I've heard Pocosin's dorm building is really fine too. They are all single person, private bath, shared kitchen, and living room style. You will need to plan-ahead for food. There are not any grocery stores with a large assortment within an hour's drive. There are some smaller markets within 20 minutes drive. Nothing is very close by. There is not cafeteria or dining services at this school; however, for lunch they will arrange for a delivery from a local deli of a sandwich of choice with chips and beverage at a fee. I think the campus suites about 60 at the most across all classes, but I've never been there when more than 30 were present. I am in a mode where I almost don't feel my year's plan is complete without a visit to Sugar Maples. I like the refresh the area provides me with the mountains and outdoor recreation and hiking as well.
• Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft - Located in Columbia North Carolina in an area known as "The Inner Banks" it's a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from Norfolk, Virginia where I live - and for that I'm grateful! Pocosin is a small school set on the banks of the Scupemong River which leads into the Albemarle Sound out towards Kitty Hawk NC and the Atlantic Ocean. It's a small school that packs a lot into a small space. Columbia is a very small town, but it does have a few restaurants. The proximity to the Outer Banks offers AirBnB, BnB, and other rental accommodation options in addition to a large dorm building right in town on campus. My clay bestie and I rented an AirBnB when we stayed in 2024; however, the dorm building typically suits 2 people per room, quad rooms, or a private 2 person 'Pigeon House' also available through the school. From everything I've heard - I believe this school would receive the "cleanliness award" for accommodations. I've taken two top-notch classes so far via Pocosin - one on campus and the other online. The campus consists of the dorm building, a studio building across the street, and a dining hall and gallery building right along the water with a beautiful deck for jumping into the river on warm summer days. While I was there - they held a cannonball contest off the deck - so definitely bring a swimsuit. Close by is also a lovely nature trail on a wooden deck that is about a mile roundtrip which is great for taking a break and getting your creative juices re-flowing. There is an abundance of wildlife around this area for birding enthusiasts like me - to dolphin watching along the coast (also like me!). There are also some scenic boat cruise options from Columbia as well and a really good BBQ joint for the last day. While in class though - Pocosin also will get my tie vote with Arrowmont for best food service ever. The chef they had in 2024 was so wonderful and accommodating for my need for no gluten. Everything was fresh, healthy, abundant of fruits and veggies, and kept me fueled well the whole week...breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available options. They also offer a multitude of Residency options like many of the schools on this list offer. This is a small school - metals, wood, and clay studios. Maybe 40 people tops with residents and attendees on any particular week. It's so convenient. If you have not been there already and live in the 757 region - you need to go!
• Penland School of Craft - Penland is located 50 miles north of Asheville, NC in the lovely Blue Ridge Mountains in Bakersville, NC. I have been to the campus before Hurricane Helene in 2024, but I have not yet had an experience there.  I'm putting it on this list anyway though because I've tried to go there 2x now. Once in 2020 and once in 2024 - 3rd time will perhaps be a charm! It is one of the premier craft schools for clay in the country and set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains - can't go wrong. Lots of options worth checking out here!
• Haystack Mountain School of Crafts - Oh my goodness - I've wanted to go here for years, and finally this year I at least got to visit the campus during an open house event. It is spectacular! It's set on the rocky Maine gorgeous coastal views that I have adored since I was a child on Deer Isle Maine. Deer Isle is about 1 hour south of Ellsworth Main on Route 1 and about 1.5 hours from the main part of Acadia National Park. The clay studio is dreamy with windows overlooking an open deck that steps down through the center of campus to the waters edge. The views are amazing. The dining hall is so cozy with a huge fireplace and handmade log furniture. The food menu looked spectacular. They accommodate residents right on campus in dorm style housing that steps down the rocky cliff-side via a centralized stairway system with off-shoots to each of the dorms, buildings, and up the hills to the pottery and blacksmithing studio as well as main auditorium. It's hilly - did you catch that. Bring your hiking boots and pack lightly because there are a lot of steps. I just need the right class to match me and I'm there! It's pretty remote - about 30 minutes out to campus after you cross the bridge onto the island. There are a few businesses on the island and Stonington is an adorable quintessential Maine Coastal main street not to be missed.
• Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts - Not necessarily a workshop location; however, they do offer some - it's more a residency spot. It's clay exclusive. Typically residencies last 2 weeks long with a group that has a common focus. As luck would have it - I got a tour this year during their annual "Salad Days" fundraiser too! AMAZING CLAY STUDIO SPACES - like AMAZING! It's top notch. Everything you'd ever desire in a clay studio - I literally can't think of a thing I would change in my dream studio. Every firing atmosphere your heart desires. It's midcoast Maine - not too far from Boothbay Harbor, but Wiscasset and Damariscotta are each only 10 minutes away with a variety of businesses and restaurants available. The residency options list for 2026 will be posted in the beginning of November is my understanding.
• Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts - Set in Gatlinburg, TN home of the great Smokey Mountains and really not that far from Dollywood - Arrowmont is not remote at all, but you can be in the surrounding mountains if desired. The main street through campus leads right onto Main Street Gatlinburg and you can even take a ski lift at the driveway entrance up to the top of a mountain for some 360 degree views. The campus is close knit with buildings leading away from Gatlinburg up the hillside to multiple large studio and dorm buildings. I made the crucial error for Utilitarian Clay Symposium VIII thinking I would work well in a 13 person dorm style room - nope - didn't last the first night in that environment! But that was okay - it didn't diminish my experience one bit! I loved Arrowmont - I loved Utilitarian Clay VIII - I'll be processing that whole week in the months to come! The dorm although not suitable for my needs was very clean. Everything on campus was nice. The dining hall was amazing. It's definitely first-place if not tied with Pocosin for the best food. They had so many options and so much gluten free - it was dreamy for me. I learned a tip from a new clay friend to ask for the GF dessert - it's not out at the buffet style food options! That could get dangerous. All of the meals are served on handmade plates and dishes as well as a vibrant mug wall to try different mugs each day! The clay studios are spectacular. I'd say right there next to Watershed's. Huge open spaces with the most amazing bone yard on shelves up high near natural lighting windows that flood the spaces. There are both wheel and hand building or sculptural spots. A lovely kiln space with lots of atmospheres. If you stay right on campus - you'll have a feel of separation from the main drag of Gatlinburg, TN if that's not your cup of tea. The surrounding Smokey Mountains are breathtaking. There are black bears on campus sometimes - we saw them! Just be prepared. They are more interested in finding a scavenging option than you. The staff will keep an eye on them if made aware and chase them off via golf-cart! Arrowmont gets the award for best gallery, gift shop, and supply shop spaces. All were amazing! And with the recent addition of the Bill Griffith Ceramic Study Collection - the clay viewing, handling, and study options have grown tremendously via Bill's generous gift. I'd definitely take a hands-on workshop here - (or 16 as with Utilitarian Clay!) in fact - if I had to choose between NCECA and Utilitarian Clay at Arrowmont in 4 years - I'd pick Utilitarian Clay. It was a lovely awe inspiring, emotional, intimate environment during the Symposium with the 200 people present vs. 6,000 at NCECA that led to deep conversations and sharing with other professional artists that was just dreamy.
• Touchstone Center for Crafts - I've not been here yet. But check this one out. It's not too far from those of us in Virginia - Located in Pennsylvania about a 6 hour drive from Norfolk, VA!
• Cub Creek Foundation - A Center For the Ceramic Arts - Have not been here yet, but set in Appomatax, VA - it's only 3 hours away from me in Norfolk, VA - They offer residencies and workshops. Check it out on Facebook in particular - their kiln sheds look dreamy!

Other Fantastic Options Like Craft School - More Intimate!

There are plenty of other options out there to peruse and dream about all the classes you might take all over the globe in clay! I know I need at least 30 more lifetimes to feel I've sufficiently covered them all!

However - another option worth considering are some of the Professional Ceramic Artists who offer week-long workshops right from their personal home studios that are dreamy none-the-less.

1. My lovely Mentor, Martha Grover's Maine-based week long workshops in beautiful Bethel Maine. Not only is Martha just an amazing porcelain ballerina - she and her partner Joshua are two of the most hospitable and lovely people you'll ever meet! They offer week-long workshops a few times each summer. I wanted to include them on this list because her workshops drop October 1st at noon - and they sell out very fast! I'd highly highly recommend this workshop experience! She accommodates up to 11 people per session and Bethel is a cute little ski resort town set on a river with plentiful Air BnB's and other rentals nearby. There are several restaurants in-town, but Martha and Joshua will have lunch all covered for you on some of the most beautiful tablescapes of handmade goodness you've ever experienced.
2. Another one to check out is my friend Tim See's Summer Workshops - you'll have to keep an eye out on his webpage or Social Media for when he will announce the 2026 summer workshops in his beautiful new Studio in Upstate New York. I took a week-long workshop with Tim year's ago and I can remember when he was just getting started in clay back in the day! He used to offer his weeklong workshop via a local Art Park in upstate NY; however, kudos to his hard work and engineering skills that he now brings people straight to his home teaching studio equipped to handle I think 10-12 people.

Ok, Amy - All this stuff - How in the World Do I Decide?

Here's what I do: I start a list - NOW! on a Google Sheet. I keep an eye out on Social Media for all of the workshops I'd consider from people I follow on my feed for starters. They start listing them now for next year. I'll note deadlines and such on my "dream sheet" for 2026. Then I start to scour the schools primarily on the East Coast that I'm able to get to easily if something strikes my fancy. John C. Campbell's Fall through Spring workshops are likely already posted. Some of the other schools take breaks in the fall. I'll scour their lists around the Holidays when I have some downtime as well looking for ideas for 2026. I factor in any travel plans and look for schools that might extend a trip - or just happen to be on the way (a.k.a. rearranged my schedule to make sure I pass by!) Some of my best classes have been when returning from a trip in the RV.

Happy dreaming as you decide where to try your first Craft School Experience!

I'm happy to answer questions - shoot me an email! Or send me a DM on Socials.

I also have a Big Big List of ALL the US Based workshops - some International as well - I'm happy to share if this was not enough of a start or if you find yourself in another geography!