Meet the owners:

  • Hi, I’m April Stout.

    Born in North Carolina I am now a proud co-owner of Tacoma Clay.

    My earliest experience with clay was farming. Growing up in North Carolina, one of my fondest memories is of walking behind the plow in warm, red clay while picking up potatoes. I am bringing that experience into my work by expressing that same feeling with my urns, vases, jars, bowls, and mugs in rich earth tones, organic textures, and natural shapes that feel good in your hands…like warm potatoes that have just been turned from the clay below my feet.

    To pass on that warm, familiar feeling to others is a gift to myself.

    Instagram

  • Hi, I’m Lucy Nilan.

    Born in Boston and transplanted here in Tacoma back in 2012 with a brief stint in CO. My family, dogs and I love it here. I am now a proud co-owner of Tacoma Clay.

    It all began when a friend and I took a pottery class in college together. My mom seemed to believe I would be more of a carpenter, I was drawn to clay.  After much deliberation, I quickly changed my major from history and politics to ceramics.  After college, I worked at various teaching jobs and a tile company in Chicago, Iowa and Washington State. I feel much of my education came from teaching others.

    I currently make functional, colorful and playful home goods.  Many of my pots bring in the joy and comforts of animals, allowing me to explore the relationship between drawing, color and the three-dimensional form.

    I primarily work in cone 5-6 porcelain with various underglazes. On the side I dable in Woodfire pottery.

    Instagram

Come join our team!

We have a spot for you!

We are seeking instructors to help teach in beginner, advanced and specialty classes for adults and kids classes. We want to create diversity in our community through skills and knowledge.

We are looking for friendly folks with a passion for teaching and community building. While we ask for ceramics teaching experience, 1 year of experience is preferred but it is not required.

Tacoma Clay is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.


Six or eight week sessions

We offer several eight-week class sessions each year. Teachers have the opportunity for one or more sessions or classes. Some can teach the same day and time each week (typically weekday evenings). Several of our classes are for beginners and have a set, easy-to-follow curriculum. We offer hand-building (up to 12 students) and wheel throwing (up to 12 students).

One teaching shift is about 3 hours long (including 2.5 hours of actual instruction). Our starting rate for instructors is $25/per hour and can vary by experience.


One-Night sessions

We offer one-night sessions on Fridays about two times each month. This is a two-hour wheel throwing class for up to 12 students that introduces the basics of wedging, centering, and forming a bowl or cup. Students keep one piece that we glaze for them.

One teaching shift is about 3 hours long (including 2.5 hours of actual instruction). Our starting rate for instructors is $25/per hour and can vary by experience.


Workshops

We are always interested in hosting experienced potters who have a specific technique, style, or project they'd like to share with our community of students.

Successful workshops tend to be organized around a specific project that can be completed in about four hours, give or take an hour. Most workshops are focused on glaze, decoration, or hand-building techniques.

Get In Touch

If you're interested in teaching with us, or would just like to learn more about the opportunities we have, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can use our contact form or send an email to us directly directly.