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◊ News, Events, Inspiration ◊
May 2026
| | Inside this issue: Spring/Summer classes. Clay and pottery tools of the month. Studio Hours. More exhibition news, events, and informative videos. | | Here are some of our students from our Atmospheric Soda Fire class checking out the results from the first fire of soda season. | | |
Check out these upcoming Spring/Summer Classes
Early Bird discount lasts through May 18th.
Now is the time to register for some spring/summer fun! From introductory to advanced and specialized classes, we offer you a full range of pottery instruction almost every day of the week!
Here is our full schedule of upcoming classes:
Introductory and Continuing Wheel
• Mon, Jun 8-July 13, 3:30-5:30 pm, with Kevan Wilson
• Mon, Jun 8-July 13, 6:30-8:30 pm, with Kevan Wilson
• Thu, Jun 4-July 9, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, with Nancy Bulkley
• Thu, Jun 4-July 9, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm, with Nick Glynos
• Sat, Jun 6-July 11, 9:45-11:45 am, with Laila Chalati
• Sun, Jun 14-July 19, 11:00 am-1:00 pm, with Susi Stiles
Save my seat!
Intermediate Wheel Throwing
• Thu, Jun 4-Jul 9, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm, with Nancy Bulkley
Save my seat!
Coffee and Clay (In studio or via Zoom)
• Wed, Jun 3-July 8, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, with Nancy Bulkley
• Sat, Jun 6-July 11, 9:30-11:30 am, with Nancy Bulkley
Save my seat!
Hand Building
• Thu, Jun 4-Jul 9, 6:30-8:30 pm, with Elliott Kayser
Save my seat!
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Soda Season continues...
There's nothing like a good atmospheric soda fire to bring your favorite pot to life. If you are interested in seeing how heat, soda and fire make for one-of-a-kind results, sign up today for:
Atmospheric Soda Firing
• Tues, May 12-Jul 14, 10:30 pm-12:00 pm, with Kay Yourist
• Wed, May 13-Jul 15, 6:30 pm-9:00 pm, with Kay Yourist
Save my seat!
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Practice your skills during Summer Studio
In this seven week summer studio session from July 15-September 2, you will be able to work in the studio 24/7. Spend as much time as you like honing the skills you have been learning in classes. There will be no instructor but, there will be a prerequisite. Students need to have previously taken a minimum of two full class semesters, with one of those class semesters taken at Yourist Studio. Summer is the perfect time to practice what you have learned and to perfect your skill set as a potter.
Save my seat!
| | Gifting hint: Mother's Day is May 10, show her some love with a gift certificate for one of our classes. or something special from our gallery. | | |
Students and members...
Be sure to pick up your bisque ware. The bisque shelves will be emptied of all April bisque on May 30th. We do this every month. So be sure to get your work glazed or take it home.
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Yourist t-shirts are all the rage!
Represent the studio in style! Yourist Studio Gallery t-shirts and hoodies are available for purchase. These are available at the studio during our business hours. The price for these comfy 100% cotton t-shirts is $20 and $38 for the hoodies, which are perfect for keeping you cozy as we transition into spring.
| | Get 10% off our clay of the month, Aardvark Woodfire Stoneware. This clay has a very plastic body with medium grog. (Pitcher courtesy of Kay Yourist) | | |
Specifications: Fired Shrinkage is 11% and Water Absorption is 2% when fired to cone 10. It fires to a rich toasty orange brown when flashed in a wood fire kiln. Good thru cone 14.
Yourist Studio Gallery is the authorized dealer for Aardvark clays in Michigan. We also have a great selection of pottery tools for purchase in our tool shop. If you're looking for a great gift for your favorite potter, be sure to stop by and peruse our tool collection.
Clays on order and or currently in stock from Aardvark are as follows:
Arctic White
Charcoal
Nara 5
SRF
Cafe Cinco
Rods Bod
Carmel
Coleman Porcelain
Aardvark Porcelain
Woodfire Porcelain
Woodfire stoneware
Nara 10
Russian River
Fat Red
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Sale! Pottery Tool of the month
| | Xiem Interchangeable Sculptor's Wire Tools give you the freedom to customize wire-tool tips for your specific needs. Available in several sizes in large, medium, and small. They are perfect for light-cutting, smoothing, cleaning, and blending surfaces to create and manipulate your pots to your hearts content. These wire-tip tools are made of high-strength stainless steel for long-lasting performance while the soft silicone handle provides you with the ultimate comfort experience. Set includes: 1 handle, 3 blades (small, medium, large) For the month of May, this tool will be 10% off. | | |
In our pursuit of excellence, Yourist Studio is looking for experienced instructors to guide our students. We are always interested in meeting ceramicists who can teach entry level or advanced students, basic to specialized techniques in hand building, wheel and/or varied approaches to glazing. If you are experienced in any or all of this or more, we would like to meet you. Send us your resume or a letter of inquiry along with images of your current works here.
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Job opportunity
Studio intern
We're interviewing potential studio interns for winter and spring to help with studio maintenance in exchange for studio use. The successful applicant should know how to mix glaze, load kilns, mop floors, and perform other typical studio duties. An internship is a great experience and resume building opportunity. Please send a letter of interest, including your previous pottery studio experience, to Kay Yourist.
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Scratch and wax
Ann Ruel, from Little Street Pottery, shares a mixture of processes in this video that when combined make for a beautiful vase! Ann will combine wax resist, inlay, and carving ideas to help you in your creative process. See it all in this video.
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Altered states in pottery
See the processes and techniques that Roger Cockram uses to throw, alter and glaze his coastal-inspired pieces.
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Here are some in person clay events to explore:
We'll let you know when new ceramics exhibitions are on display and open to the public.
2026 MFAC - Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center - June 19 - August 13
An exhibition showcasing diverse works, including ceramics arts, opening with a reception on Friday, June 19 and running through August 13.
Here are some online clay events to explore:
Ceramic Art London 2026: May 8-10, 2026, UK - Curated by the Craft Potters Association of Great Britain, the fair champions the very best in studio ceramics – honoring tradition, pushing artistic boundaries and celebrating the diversity of makers today. There is much to be inspired by in this show.
The America Museum of Ceramic Art - You can explore select AMOCA exhibitions from the comfort of your own home. Check them out here.
Myth, Spirituality, and Storytelling Converge in Ceramics by Chenlu
Hou and Chiara No - Since time immemorial, humans have sculpted sacred symbols into stone or formed them from clay. Expressing beliefs, worldviews, and spirituality in physical objects like votives and shrines is a way to imbue power and venerate deities and the natural world. For artists Chenlu Hou and Chiara No, ceramics is an enduring conduit to explore spirituality and storytelling. See their amazing work here.
| | Studio, Gallery, and Shop hours | | |
Studio hours for 2026:
- Tuesday, 12:00-6:00 pm
- Wednesday, 12:00-6:00 pm
- Friday, 12:00-6:00 pm
- Saturday, 12:00-6:00 pm
- Sunday, 4:00-8:00 pm
There are no open studio hours on Thursday. Saturday open studio hours begin at noon with the exception of one Saturday a month, when the Try It Once on the Wheel class meets from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. Check our class schedule for the date for this class.
Please remember to sign in when you arrive for open studio and sign out when you leave. Make sure to clean your work area thoroughly before leaving.
Gallery and Shop hours for 2026:
- Tuesday, 12:00-6:00 pm
- Wednesday, 12:00-6:00 pm
- Friday, 12:00-6:00 pm
- Saturday, 12:00-6:00 pm
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Our pottery tool shop
We welcome all ceramics lovers and all area potters to shop with us for their pottery needs during our open hours. Students may purchase tools as needed during their classes as well.
We have curbside delivery of clay, tools, and pottery during our regular hours. If you have a specific need, please call us at the studio, during regular hours, at 734-662-4914.
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Stay healthy
To help us keep our studio safe and healthy for all students and members, please keep track of current advisories on the transmission risk and hospitalization numbers for COVID, flu, and other communicable respiratory diseases in Washtenaw county at this link:
Washtenaw County Health Department page
| | Contributors to this issue include Deb Wood and Kay Yourist. Thank you. | | |
Yourist Studio Gallery
6087 Jackson Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-662-4914
www.youristpottery.com | Instagram
•Classes and workshops
•Community studio workspace
•Pottery tools for sale
•Exhibit gallery
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