News Around the Studio

In the Gorse Mill Gallery

Gorse Mill Studios Artists

Group Exhibition

December 2-27

Studio Member News

Our staff and studio members are all active in clay, with a variety of connections to the greater clay community

Shira Rubin has two pieces of her Raku in the exhibition Awake: Mindfulness & Presence in Art

Gretchen Nash

Every year The Rivers School presents a visual arts faculty show spotlighting one of the arts faculty members, and this is my year! I've put together a body of work I'm really proud of. If you would like to see this show, it is up until 12/4 at The Rivers School of Weston 333 Winter St. Weston. My work is in the BELL Gallery and my awesome co-workers are showing their work in the Baldwin Family Art Commons M-F 9-4. I'm happy to show you the work after hours or on a weekend if you would like; gretchennash2@gmail.com

Our Founder and Director Steven Branfman has been elected membership in the International Academy Of Ceramics, considered the most prestigious and highly regarded ceramics organization in the world. Click here to learn more about the IAC

He was recently invited to be interviewed by the K12 Art-Chat, a division of Davis Publications. Click on the image below to hear him speak about the healing power of art.

Studio Member Only

Workshops and Events

To learn more about becoming a studio member please visit our  MEMBERSHIP PAGE!

Handles With Wayne Fuerst

December 4, 5-6:15

Are handles giving you trouble;? Design? Making? Size? Attaching? Are they for function? Decoration? Are you making mugs, Cups? Casseroles? Serving platters? Does your vessel even need a handle? This workshop is for you. Wayne is a master potter and handle maker. He'll call on years of experience to guide you through all aspects of handle making for all kinds of vessels. Don't miss this great opportunity to expand your skills and understanding.

Get ready for the annual

Bowl-A-Thon

Benefitting Neighbors In Need

 DATE TBD

Be on the lookout for more detailed information about how you can help participate in this annual tradition.

Registration for our Fall session has come and gone

For details on our classes and on how to be notified when we open registration for next session, 

visit our School/Classes page.  

The Potters Shop & School is a pottery studio, school, gallery, and bookstore, and one of the finest clay facilities in New England. We occupy a spacious, well lit, and professionally equipped space in the Gorse Mill Studios, a vibrant and diverse community of artists. We offer resident and non-resident studio memberships, adult classes, and workshops, and a variety of services and resources for people working in clay. Our gallery is filled with work made in the shop by staff and members covering a variety of styles.  Our shop’s selection of pottery books and videos is known the world over and we also stock a hand picked selection of pottery tools. We are potters and speak the language of clay! 

-Steven Branfman, Founder, Director, and Head Potter

History

The Potters Shop was founded by Steven Branfman in 1977 as a studio, school, gallery, and workspace for clayworkers. Our original location in Newton Highlands had been a potters studio since about 1960 with The Potters Shop being the third or fourth studio to occupy the space. Our first offerings were adult classes, children's classes, and limited workspace.  Over the years as our reputation for quality programs, honest help and advice, and a relaxed, professional and comfortable atmosphere grew, so did our need for space and equipment.  In 1989 the studio was moved and The Potters School, a non-profit educational institution was organized as a separate entity insuring our continued growth and our ability to offer the finest pottery facility and educational programs in New England. The Potters School has continued to evolve and in 2005 we made the transition from a regular class schedule to focusing our services on studio membership. Today, The Potters Shop and The Potters School operate together seamlessly as The Potters Shop & School. We are, as we have been from the beginning, committed to the support of clay arts through quality educational programs, professional facilities, and the production and exhibition of some of the best and most sought after pottery in the area. 

Students and members of The Potters Shop & School come from many different clay backgrounds. Some have taken classes, some are self-taught, some are professional potters who want access to extensive equipment, some are hobbyists who enjoy being part of a larger pottery community. We offer adult classes, workshops, internships, and three different levels of studio membership available to meet a broad range of needs. Though we all come from different backgrounds, our common interest in clay, art, and craft has brought us together.  Our goal at The Potters Shop & School is to develop a studio atmosphere of creativity and mutual support.  The staff is dedicated to providing encouragement and fostering cooperation in an effort to make your use of the studio rewarding and productive.

I hope you come to visit The Potters Shop & School so we can show you what we can only describe to you here on these pages.

31 Thorpe Rd. Needham, MA 02494 USA     Phone: 781-449-7687     Fax: 781-449-9098   Email: PottersShop@aol.com   Summer Hours: M-Th: 11-5