Entry No. 64 — the Colorado Springs file — filed under: hands-on
22nd Street Clay
A neighborhood pottery studio on the Westside that leans personal — alongside multi-week classes, they offer private and semi-private hands-on lessons, which is the easy entry point for a couple who just wants to throw clay for an evening. The intimate setup means real one-on-one instructor attention at the wheel rather than a crowded group class.
The story
Positioned on Bott Avenue on the Westside—just south of Old Colorado City—22nd Street Clay operates as a dual community pottery studio and fine craft gallery. While serious local potters lock into multi-week class terms here, you don't need to sign away two months of your life just to get wet mud on your hands.
The real backdoor entry point is booking a private or semi-private wheel lesson. Instead of competing for an instructor's attention alongside a dozen struggling strangers in a group class, a private booking puts you directly at the wheel with focused, one-on-one coaching. Resident potters guide your hands through centering, pulling walls, and shaping raw clay before your bowl collapses into slurry.
Don't expect instant gratification or a souvenir to carry home that night. Your wet creations stay behind in the studio to dry out before going through bisque firing, glazing, and a final kiln run for pickup weeks down the line.
What it's like
Arriving at 2201 Bott Ave feels like walking into an active neighborhood craft studio rather than a commercial chain. Inside, expect an intimate setup focused on wheel mechanics—spinning turntables, clay dust, and an instructor sitting right next to you to catch your hand placement mistakes in real time. Wear dark clothes you don't mind getting splattered, clip your fingernails short, and tie your hair back. Call ahead (719-447-0216) to schedule your booking well in advance; regular multi-week classes occupy the calendar, so walking in off the street without a spot will leave you standing outside.
The move: Book a private or semi-private wheel lesson and throw your first bowls together with hands-on coaching.
📍 Before you go Best to book a private/semi-private lesson for a one-session experience; call ahead (719-447-0216) as regular classes run in multi-week sessions. Finished pieces are fired and picked up later.
- 📍 Westside, Colorado Springs
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 2201 Bott Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Van Briggle Memorial Pottery Building — Pair your hands-on clay throwing with a visit to this 1907 landmark to see the historic Art Nouveau tilework that anchored Colorado Springs' ceramic legacy.
- Michael Garman Museum - Magic Town — Head half a mile north into Old Colorado City to trade raw wet clay for a hand-sculpted 3,000-square-foot miniature city.
- MatchBox Candle Co. — Keep the hands-on date going half a mile away by pouring custom-scented candles guided by a professional candlemaker.
- Meraki Springs — Double down on Westside crafting by heading to this nearby maker studio for rotating workshops in leather, soap, and resin.
Good to know
Can I just drop in for a quick pottery session without booking?
No. You need to call ahead (719-447-0216) to reserve a private or semi-private lesson, as regular studio hours are reserved for multi-week class terms.
Do I take my finished pottery home the same day?
No. Finished pieces must dry completely, undergo a bisque firing, get glazed, and go through a final kiln firing before you return to pick them up.
How should I dress for a wheel lesson?
Wear comfortable clothes that can handle clay splatters, trim your fingernails short, and tie back long hair before taking a seat at the wheel.
Where is the studio located?
It sits in the Westside area of Colorado Springs at 2201 Bott Ave, just south of Old Colorado City.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · bbb.org · citylifestyle.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-23