It's usually the first thing people want to know before trying pottery: what should I expect to pay for a first class? And it's not always easy to figure out. Between the « starting at » prices, the add-ons, the extra fees and the different formats, comparing one studio to another gets confusing fast.
So let me walk through what actually drives the price of a class, so you can choose the experience that suits you rather than just the cheapest number.
Why prices vary so much between studios
From one Montreal studio to the next, the price of an introductory class can easily double. Three things explain most of that gap: how long the class really runs, how many people there are per instructor, and above all what the price covers once the class is over. Beyond the time you spend making things, there's the clay, the tools, the glazes, the firings, and in some cases whether you leave with one finished piece or several.
In other words, two classes at the same price can be very different experiences. That's why it's worth looking at what's included before comparing the numbers alone.
Our prices (August 2026)
- Introduction to wheel-throwing — 2.5 hours, 1 piece included, $75
- Introduction to handbuilding — 2.5 hours, 2 pieces included, $75
- 4-week session — four 2.5-hour classes, up to 8 pieces included, $220
- 6-week session — six 2.5-hour classes, up to 11 pieces included, $350
- Private class — 1 piece included, $350 for 1 to 6 people, then $50 per additional person. Up to 7 people for wheel-throwing, 10 for handbuilding.
Nothing to buy. No firing surcharge.
What the price covers, and why it costs what it costs
When you pay $75 for an introductory class, you're not only paying for the two and a half hours you spend at the studio. You're paying for the clay, the tools, the glaze. And above all, for the two firings your piece goes through after you leave: one to turn raw clay into bisque, a second after glazing. A ceramic kiln climbs past a thousand degrees and runs for hours. It's the cost nobody sees and everybody pays.
There's also the invisible work in between: unloading pieces, letting them dry at the right pace, glazing them, loading the kiln, emptying it again. A piece made in 2.5 hours occupies the studio for weeks before it comes back to you.
And a good share of that invisible work is the marketing, the bookings, putting classes online, the pre-class emails and the follow-ups when it's time to pick up your pieces.
The calculation nobody does: cost per piece
A $75 introductory class gives you one thrown piece, or two handbuilt ones. A $220 four-week session gives you time to make considerably more, because you come back and you start again.
Put differently: the session costs three times as much, but each piece works out far cheaper. And you actually improve, which rarely happens in a single sitting.
If your goal is to walk away with something lovely, once, take an introductory class. If your goal is to learn, take a session. They're not the same purchase.
Doing pottery without overspending
One introductory class rather than a full session. Plenty of people want to « try pottery » without knowing whether it'll stick. That's exactly what a 2.5-hour introduction to wheel-throwing or introduction to handbuilding is for.
A private class with a group. At $350 for six people, that's under $60 each, and the studio is entirely yours. For a group of friends it's often the most economical option on the list.
What about a gift card?
It covers one introductory class, wheel-throwing or handbuilding. It's the gift for someone who keeps saying « I've wanted to try that for years » without ever booking.
Making your choice
If you're still weighing the formats, all of our pottery classes in Montreal are listed with available dates and remaining spots. Saturday introductory classes fill quickly; sessions start on fixed dates and tend to sell out a few weeks ahead.
And if you have a question this doesn't answer, just write to us. It's usually faster than searching!
Marie