Entry No. 51 — the New Orleans file — filed under: hands-on
RT Ceramics
RT Ceramics is run by New Orleans artist and potter Ron Tolie, who built his offering around the Pottery Date Night concept for couples. Sessions put you at the wheel with guided instruction so two people can throw clay together, and private and class formats are available beyond the date-night setup. The studio stays active with regular new wheel-throwing videos and bookings.
The story
Ron Tolie built RT Ceramics out of a working studio artist's portfolio—one that spans everything from standard functional stoneware to series tagged under titles like Hypnagogic, Hazard, and Taboo. Having exhibited at regional events like the Covington Three Rivers Art Festival and the New Orleans Clay Fest, Tolie turned part of his studio operation into a hands-on workspace for visitors who want direct, messy contact with raw clay.
The cornerstone of the public offering is the Pottery Date Night: a private session designed to put two people side-by-side at the wheel. Rather than watching a demonstration, you get your hands into wet clay from the start, learning how to center the lump on the spinning head and pull up the walls of a bowl or mug under direct instruction.
What it's like
Expect a focused, hands-on workshop in an active studio environment where getting clay slip on your forearms is part of the process. You sit right at the wheel with step-by-step guidance on hand positioning, pressure, and wheel speed. Because all sessions are run by advance reservation—booked online or directly through Instagram—you get personal instruction without a large class crowding the space. Wear clothes and shoes you don't mind getting dirty.
The move: Book the Pottery Date Night and center wet clay on the wheel together, each pulling up a bowl or mug under Ron's guidance.
📍 Before you go Pottery Date Night and private sessions are by reservation; book through the website or Instagram.
- 📍 Metairie
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: Metairie, LA (Greater New Orleans)
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Metairie Cemetery (Lake Lawn Metairie) — Pair a session on the wheel with a quiet drive through the extravagant marble mausoleums and historic tombs of Metairie Cemetery nearby.
- Puddle ClayWorks — If you want to check out another local clay space across town, Puddle ClayWorks offers a 1,200-square-foot communal studio setting in Hollygrove.
- City Putt — Head straight from the studio to City Park for a round of mini-golf on courses themed around Louisiana towns.
Good to know
How do you book a session at RT Ceramics?
Pottery Date Night and private sessions require advance reservations, which are booked through the studio's website (rt-ceramics.com) or via Instagram (@rontolieceramics).
What do you actually make during the Pottery Date Night?
You will sit at the wheel with wet clay and pull up a functional piece such as a mug or bowl under guided instruction.
Are classes available for individuals or larger formats?
Yes. Beyond the couple-focused Date Night format, RT Ceramics offers private sessions and regular wheel-throwing class options.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Instagram · linkedin.com
last checked: 2026-06-23