Meet the owners:

  • Hi, I’m April Stout.

    Tacoma resident for over a decade but originally from NC, I feel at home in WA and will likely never leave. I live in hilltop with my two favorite people and work at Clay Art Center full time.

    I had an amazing high school art teacher. I was mostly focused on drawing and oil painting until I tried my hand at clay. I learned to throw in the early 90s on an old Brent kick wheel and have had an on and off again affair with pottery ever since.

    I have followed many paths before this - and even graduated from University of Puget Sound in 2018 with a degree in Biology.

    I worked in marine education and loved my job but a shoulder injury brought me back to clay. It feels like it’s where I should be and now I am fortunate enough to be one of the cofounders of Tacoma Clay.

    I feel as if I am still absorbing so much through connecting with the people I admire and choose to emulate. My goal is to continue to travel to workshops and bring back new skills to pass on to students and fellow potters. Continuous learning and connections are of great value to me.

    I am currently making work for wood firings here and in Oregon.

    Instagram

  • Hi, I’m Lucy Nilan.

    Born in Boston and transplanted here in Tacoma back in 2012 with a brief stint in CO. My family, dogs and I love it here. I am now a proud co-owner of Tacoma Clay.

    It all began when a friend and I took a pottery class in college together. My mom seemed to believe I would be more of a carpenter, I was drawn to clay.  After much deliberation, I quickly changed my major from history and politics to ceramics.  After college, I worked at various teaching jobs and a tile company in Chicago, Iowa and Washington State. I feel much of my education came from teaching others.

    I currently make functional, colorful and playful home goods.  Many of my pots bring in the joy and comforts of animals, allowing me to explore the relationship between drawing, color and the three-dimensional form.

    I primarily work in cone 5-6 porcelain with various underglazes. On the side I dable in Woodfire pottery.

    Instagram

Come join our team!

We have a spot for you!

We are seeking instructors to help teach in beginner, advanced and specialty classes for adults and kids classes. We want to create diversity in our community through skills and knowledge.

We are looking for friendly folks with a passion for teaching and community building. While we ask for ceramics teaching experience, 1 year of experience is preferred but it is not required.

Tacoma Clay is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.


four-week to seven-week sessions

We offer several four-week to seven-week class sessions each year. Teachers have the opportunity for one or more sessions or classes. Some can teach the same day and time each week (typically weekday evenings). Several of our classes are for beginners and have a set, easy-to-follow curriculum. We offer hand-building (up to 12 students) and wheel throwing (up to 12 students).

One teaching shift is about 3 hours long (including 2.5 hours of actual instruction). Our starting rate for instructors is $25/per hour and can vary by experience.


One-Night sessions

We plan to offer one-night sessions on Fridays about two times each month. This is a two-hour wheel throwing class for up to 12 students that introduces the basics of wedging, centering, and forming a bowl or cup. Students keep one piece that we glaze for them.

One teaching shift is about 3 hours long (including 2.5 hours of actual instruction). Our starting rate for instructors is $25/per hour and can vary by experience.


Workshops

We are always interested in hosting experienced potters who have a specific technique, style, or project they'd like to share with our community of students.

Successful workshops tend to be organized around a specific project that can be completed in about four hours, give or take an hour. Most workshops are focused on glaze, decoration, or hand-building techniques.

Get In Touch

If you're interested in teaching with us, or would just like to learn more about the opportunities we have, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can use our contact form or send an email to us directly directly.