Hinckley Pottery

I would love to try Hinckley Pottery, though after reaching out multiple times via their contact emails and phone and not receiving any replies after 8 days, I can't get hold of any staff here. Most of their classes are sold out online with no indication of when they might become available again, and rather than open their website day after day in hopes that something becomes available, Hinckley really needs to have a way to get in touch with them. If you are going to provide contact emails but either not monitor those inboxes or choose not to respond, that is simply bad good customer service.

I love Hinckley pottery! I took 15 weeks of classes with Sam and she was amazing. I made about 30 pieces of pottery during my time there and I can't wait to start classes again in the Fall. They had great COVID protocols, were incredible friendly and so so knowledgeable.

I can hardly claim to be objective as I have been going to classes at Hinckley Pottery for over 20 years. But my experiences there have been wonderful. The environment is comfortable, lots of space, well lit, materials etc easy to access. I began so long ago that I cannot promise that my memory of learning to throw pots at Hinckley is totally accurate but I think the instructors are pleasant, expert, and gentle, so I differ with some of the negative comments made here. The other students are all ages, from their 20s to their 80s like me. You very much go at your own pace. Just don't expect to throw an elegant porcelain teapot in a week or if your skills are only average like mine in a year. Porcelain is hard, but stoneware, which is what most people use, including the top Japanese potters, is easier for a beginner.

I went to the Try it program back in November and it was fun in the class but the experience after that class was terrible. Jeff, the assistant there, was very helpful and friendly. For those who decided to finish our works, we were told our works would be done within two weeks before the holidays, and I remember people saying it’s a good idea for holiday gifts. However, I have not heard back from them until I called them after the holidays. Gave them a few emails early January and decided to call them to learn that our works were not complete.

Whoever picked up the call was not friendly and told me “You must have heard wrong. It is probably two months instead of two weeks.” Had I known that, I would never have paid to finish the work. Throughout the whole quarter of waiting, they never gave me any update on the progress, either via email or phone as they promised to. I had to call every time to confirm the work was not done until end of February.

Most frustrating of all, they finished the work that I never intended to finish. At the time of the class, they asked us to describe as clearly as possible on the work we intended to finish, which I did by describing the size and height and shape, but it turned out they finished my boyfriend’s work and put my name on it. At this time I am so tired of even arguing with them.
It was an awful decision I made and I totally regretted it.

My wife and I took part in the Valentine's Day class and loved it! All three of the teachers there were knowledgeable, patient, and fun. They provided wine, cheese, and snacks and gave us plenty of guidance on how to work with clay. We had never done this before but felt like we got a lot of information out of a two hour class. Highly recommended!

Wow. I am a newbie and have had a very different experience than two negative reviews here. Perhaps it depends on the teacher, though I've had three due to makeups.

My teacher has had amazing patience with my learning curve and am important sense of humor. I'm in my second series and love it so much I will continue indefinitely.

I've found the fellow potters extremely helpful and supportive. It takes a village to learn how to throw and glaze a pot.

Another student and I have used our phone to tape instructions.

I love the new bright open studio space.

They have try it sessions if you don't want to buy a full series. But I think it takes a full series to get truly throwing.

I took a class at Hinckley Pottery over the summer and I had a wonderful experience. I learned so much during my time and my teacher was welcoming, helpful, enthusiastic and inspiring. Her demonstrations were extremely helpful and I loved the atmosphere and shop as well. I will be back!

I LOVE Hinckley Pottery Studio. Classes are sold in groups of 10 sessions and I just completed my first session (and am continuing indefinitely!). I came to Hinckley as a complete newbie. All the classes have different teachers, and I have mostly worked with Karen on Mondays. She is absolutely lovely and took the time to sit down and teach me everything I need to know at the wheel. Throughout my classes, any time I have a question, Karen and other students are always there to help and advise. Overall I have had only positive experiences here! It isn't cheap, but the price includes all materials and firing of pots which is important to keep in mind. I look forward to my time at Hinckley all week!