Iowa Ceramics Center & Glass Studio

The Iowa Ceramic Center and Glass Studio is a gem in Cedar Rapids. It offer a wide variety of fun classes for people of all skill sets. The new retail shop has so many unique and affordable gifts for friends (and yourself). Director Ellen Kleckner and her staff are always keeping it fresh!

Some friends and I took a wheel throwing class during their “night out” series. We were given detailed instructions and then allowed to work on the wheels the remained of the class. Our instructor was very helpful and made sure to check in with all of us through the class. We were able to take two of our pieces to be fired and glazed. There is a large shelf where the pieces are placed for pickup near the entrance of the studio. They offer single session classes and ones that span over several weeks. Our instructor also let us see what was for sale in a gallery. It showcased pieces from resident artists, who also help to teach the classes.

Door was locked when we went to come for a workshop. We tried calling and they didn't pick up. When we finally found there was a back entrance we were late and the teacher already was done demonstrating. When we told her the entrance was locked she said Oops. As someone who doesn't know anything about ceramics and was wanting to learn. I asked questions and didn't really get good advice. When we were done the teacher never said anything about When we would get our ceramics but we had to put our name and phone number on the boards they were drying on and I assumed they would call. I was wrong. I then emailed after a few months and they said they had them ready, but when we came in the lady said it wasn't there and they most likely threw them out and that it was on us because it takes three weeks to have ready. She acted like we knew about this but I had no clue and this was overall a bad experience at every turn. I love the arts and culture but I won't come back here again

Absolutely loved it! My husband and I took a wheel throwing class, and it was so much fun. I was disappointed that the class was only 2 hours long. I could have done it all day. Our instructor was Emma, and she was patient, helpful, and encouraging. They also had an amazing display up for us to see.

I was referred to Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio by a ceramics faculty member at the University of Iowa for a mug replica replacement project. I have owned a mug for years from my high school that means a great deal to me and it broke. The mugs are no longer made and I can't find any available to purchase, so I wanted to hire someone to make a replica of the mug. I emailed the owner on February 22 about the possibility of her or one of her instructors helping me out with this project. She replied that day and asked me to send her a picture and dimensions and would let me know if someone could help out. I emailed her back that evening with the requested information. Since then I have not heard back. I sent three follow-up emails to her on March 2, March 10, and March 24. It has now been over a month since I sent the requested information. At this point since I have not gotten a reply for over a month, my assumption is that herself, nor any of her instructors, are available to help me with this project. Which is completely fine. What I would have much preferred is if she had communicated that with me instead of just leaving me in limbo, especially with the three follow-up emails I had sent her a little over a month. Or, if she was still figuring things out, just to get some response and reply to one of my three follow-up emails. I feel getting a reply back from her would have been great from a courtesy perspective and also for customer service. I am a little disappointed that I have not heard anything back from the owner in over a month, especially after three follow-up emails. I will be looking elsewhere for having this project completed.

How fortunate we are to have a resource like this available in our community. I scheduled a private lesson for my mother for her birthday, and invited my aunts and cousins to joint us. Such a wonderful experience. Josh and Jennifer were fantastic instructors; patient and encouraging. Absolute praise for The Ceramics Center and those who bring it to life.

I took a multi-week beginner class where I was the only actual beginner, so the instructors neglected a lot of information that I needed. And my several interactions with the owner left much to be desired.

Great atmosphere and wonderful people! I've taken classes at the studio and have also brought a Girl Scout troop to work on a fun patch at the studio. Always a great experience!

Cousin elected for her bridal party to experience a fun, yet stress-relieving pottery event, inviting a friend she knew from her pottery class, also held here, and me along for the ride. The instructor knew my cousin and thanked and commended her for sharing her love for working with clay with her friends and family. After showing us the basics of creating a slab mug: base, foundation, and formation of a handle, and how to construct them altogether, we each were given a ball of clay to create our masterpieces. We had access to several rolling pins, stamps, and pottery tools, as well as several paint colors to decorate our creations with. We were told that after our pieces are allowed to air-dry, our instructor will apply a final glaze, bake these in the kilns, and give them to my cousin so that she may send these off to us. Expect about a two-week turnover time. Don't worry about ruining your clothes as you work on your creations, because you will get clay and paint on yourself- bring an apron if you want extra insurance. I had blue paint all over my favorite Crazy Shirts red Honu shirt, but it all came out in the wash and left my shirt looking as vibrant and feeling soft, as always. The building that houses the ceramics store also has other classrooms (drawing, painting, mosaics, etc.) and shops to peruse and purchase from. My cousin and I returned a few days after the event and enjoyed looking at other students' finished clay works and shopped at Illuminations, which showcases crystals and gems, jewelry, incense and herbs, and chocolates, to name but a few of so many interesting finds! Would definitely return on my next visits with cousin and her new groom!

I enjoy taking glass classes here. The people have all been very friendly and it helped me meet people in the area when I first moved to Cedar Rapids. The only problem I have had here is the cost of the classes.

The center is fully stocked and is a wonderful opportunity for Artist residents to venture to for all of Iowa. From what I gather, residents rotate out seasonally for new candidates to fill in slots to meet their facility needs, and it is they who teach the next series of classes. From what I know, the nonprofit is one of its kind for the entire state of Iowa. It is a vital resource for inspiring clay students to invest in for its wealth of knowledge within its community and facility. I have seen children to retired persons roam the space for either kicks or to churn out a masterpiece. I know the cost can be a situation for some but there are ways to find solutions by just asking, I am such a case and they helped me in anyway they can. The facility is very efficient and well organized, in my humble opinion. The villagers who roam within its walls are all a wealth of knowledge, aside from the seasonal residents. Please support the arts and come see for yourself.

The Ceramics Center is like Heaven for potters. I have been a student here since it opened in September 2009. Every year we have new recent art school grads, who as resident artists, bring their fresh knowledge to our studio. They teach classes and do the heavy lifting of running the studio. This is a valuable experience for them on the path they are taking in the art world. During the 40+ years I've been working with clay, this is the best place of all. The prices of classes, open studio time and firing are very reasonable. The hours start at 6 days a week. There are private and semi private studios available for 24/7 access. I enjoy the company of other potters, retired art teachers, nurses, engineers,and a variety of interesting friends. Being in the heart of the NewBo art district is a plus. As a member of TCC I can take classes or do my own thing with open studio time. If you are interested in Clay or Glass classes, you must come for a tour/visit and see this for yourself. We are very lucky to have this nonprofit facility, and your support helps to keep this available. For instance, there is a large outreach program for public schools and groups like scouts and 4-H, and birthday parties. This could be your "heaven", also.

It is nice for a community of this size to have this resource. it is a welcoming atmosphere. They offer glass fusing and pottery classes. The instructors are good and the regulars in the center are supportive and willing to share their advice and share what they are doing. There are classes for a few hours to do a specific project and 8-week long classes as well.

Great center. Very nice people, both the instructors and the other students taking classes. You are always made to feel welcome. Just wished that there were more open studio hours on the weekend. Would definitely recommend that others take classes there. There are one time classes and also classes that are several weeks long. Kids classes too! Wonderful gallery. This time of year (December) there is a lot of work done by resident artists and some of the students. Wonderful work at great prices. So fun to look at all the creativity.