Willamette Art Center

In the former, FFA building, 2330 17th St NE, Salem, OR 97301, USA
4.7(45 reviews)

Willamette Art Center: A 4.7-rated gem offering a welcoming atmosphere and expert instructors. Its unique blend of community, diverse firing options, and knowledgeable staff make it ideal for both beginners and experienced artists to explore pottery and clay.

Willamette Art Center - Photo 1
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About This Pottery Studio

Studio Atmosphere

["Welcoming", "Community", "Supportive"]

Pottery Classes Offered
  • high fire
  • midrange firings
  • raku firings
  • Family Clay Sundays
  • open studio pass
  • classes with instruction
  • wheel throwers
  • making anything with clay
Perfect For
Beginners
All Skill Levels
Creative Expression
Services & Pricing
Beginner + Projects – Rollie Smith
$245.00
Bottles on the Wheel Workshop – Jim Ransom
$25.00
Clay Cat Workshop – Ann Coskey-Wasserman
$25.00
Decorating with Clay Slips Workshop – Fred Hamann
$25.00
Friends Night Out, Make a Mug! Workshop – Andrea Misbach
$70.00
Holiday Ornament Raku Workshop – Doug Dacar
$90.00
Intro to Handbuilding & Open Studio (Session 1) – Kelly Matney
$90.00
Intro to Handbuilding & Open Studio (Session 2) – Kelly Matney
$90.00
Make a Drum Workshop – Jim Ransom
$130.00
Pit Firing with Rollie and Doug
$25.00
Raku Night Workshop – Doug Dacar
$75.00
Raku Workshop with Doug Dacar
$75.00
Spring Chickens & Lambs Workshop – Ann Coskey-Wasserman
$25.00
Thursday Intermediate Wheel - Jim Ransom (Winter)
$234.00
Friday Beginning Wheel - Jesse Breon
$234.00
Friday Beginning Wheel - Andrea Misbach
$245.00
Friday Beginning Wheel - Fred Hamann
$245.00
Thursday Teen/Adult Beginning Wheel - Andrea Misbach
$234.00
Open Studio Pass – Child 1 Day
$6.00
Open Studio Pass - Adult 1 Day
$12.00
Open Studio Pass - 1 Month
$60.00
Open Studio Pass - 15 Visit
$125.00
Open Studio Pass – Adult 1 Day
$12.00
Open Studio Pass - Child 1 Day
$6.00
Monday Beginning Handbuilding - Sue Allen & Candice Ulbricht
$245.00
Evening Raku - Doug Dacar
$234.00
Wednesday Evening Beginning Wheel - Jim Ransom (Winter)
$234.00
Thursday Beginning Wheel - Rollie Smith
$234.00
Friday Beginning Wheel - Fred Hamann (Winter)
$234.00
Saturday Beginning + Wheel - Amanda Ohrn (Winter)
$234.00
Friday Beginning Wheel - Jesse Breon (Winter)
$234.00
Friday Beginning Wheel - Andrea Misbach (Winter)
$234.00
Beginning + Wheel - Rollie Smith
$234.00
Evening Raku - Doug Dacar (Winter)
$234.00
Thursday Intermediate Wheel - Jim Ransom
$234.00
Friday Beginning Wheel – Jesse Breon
$234.00
Friday Beginning Wheel - Fred Hamann
$234.00
Friday Beginning Wheel - Andrea Misbach
$234.00
Monday Beginning Handbuilding - Sue Allen & Candice Ulbricht
$234.00
Wednesday Beginning Wheel - Fred Hamann
$234.00
Saturday Beginning Wheel - Amanda Ohrn
$234.00
Thursday Beginning Wheel – Rollie Smith
$234.00
Saturday Beginning + Wheel - Amanda Ohrn
$245.00
Wednesday Evening Beginning Wheel - Jim Ransom
$245.00
Thursday Intermediate Wheel - Jim Ransom
$245.00
Beginner + Projects - Rollie Smith
$245.00
Tuesday Beginning Handbuilding - Andrea Misbach (Winter)
$234.00
Monday Beginning Handbuilding - Sue Allen & Candice Ulbricht (Winter)
$234.00
Tuesday Evening Beginning Wheel - Jim Ransom
$234.00
Friday Continuing Wheel - Fred Hamann
$234.00
Garden Art - Doug Dacar (Fall)
$234.00
Tuesday Beginning Handbuilding – Andrea Misbach (Winter)
$234.00
Wednesday Evening Beginning Wheel - Nikki Svarverud
$234.00
Paper Clay Handbuilding - Doug Dacar
$234.00
Monday Beginning Handbuilding – Sue Allen & Candice Ulbricht
$234.00
Wednesday Beginning Wheel - Fred Hamann (Winter)
$234.00
Mindful Sculpting - K.D. Rowell (Winter)
$105.00
2-D Monoprinting with Clay - Doug Dacar
$100.00
Friday Mask Class - Greg Gregg
$120.00
What Students Love
  • Welcoming and supportive community
  • Knowledgeable and patient instructors
  • Comprehensive studio facilities and equipment
  • Variety of class options and open studio access
  • High-quality glazes and firing services
Student Reviews
C
Carla Axtman

A wonderful, welcoming place to learn pottery and find community. Classes available with highly knowledgeable instructors. They have high fire, midrange and raku firings; combined with studio tech Doug’s beautiful glazes. Highly recommended.

L
La Rose D'Leone

My daughter and I love coming here to Family Clay Sundays.

M
Mandy S

I’m so glad Salem has a place anyone can come work with clay and do their pottery! Even though I hadn’t touched it for years until now, I could easily revisit the craft at WAC- they offer different options for buying an open studio pass to use all their equipment for on-your-own work, or offer classes with instruction. You can buy your clay from them, buy used or new tools, use their all their equipment/wheels/glazes, etc, and get items fired for a small fee. Well equipped studio. I was nervous/worried about bringing a group of first-time wheel throwers for a day of fun with clay, but both staff members on a Friday were extremely nice and happy to have us! Happy everyone abides with masks too, will be back.

G
Gardenia Alderman

Pottery and clay have literally changed my life and I have the Willamette Art Center to thank for that. I took a class during COVID in 2020 and that got me hooked, since then I’ve taken multiple classes and it has been an amazing experience each time. Doug and Nicki are great teachers and always encourage you to explore your creativity. I always recommend their classes to my friends.

E
Emily Jackson

Absolutely amazing community, studio, education, and supplies for sale. The monitors (there’s always someone monitoring either doing open studio or classes) are very friendly and welcoming. The instructors are well informed, kind, and patience. I know the board is working on making even more inclusive changes, community engagement, and access for open studio. If you’re interested in making anything with clay, I cannot recommend WAC enough.

Other Cities with Pottery Classes in Oregon
Hours of Operation
Monday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
SundayClosed
Accessibility & Amenities
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking

Frequently Asked Questions About Willamette Art Center

Have more questions about pottery classes in Salem? Contact Willamette Art Center directly for more information about their classes, schedules, and pricing.