Many potters look for studio jobs to access clay—but The Clay Hole makes it possible to build your art without becoming staff. This page shows why membership beats employment for most creatives.

Looking for a Pottery Studio Job? Try Membership Instead

You want access. Kilns. Wheels. A creative place to work. So you think: maybe I’ll apply for a job at a studio.

It makes sense. Most potters have done it at some point—hoping the job will get them through the door. But at The Clay Hole, we do things differently. You don’t have to work here to belong here.

Jobs Can Be Draining. Membership Can Be Liberating.

Studio jobs sound great until you’re cleaning, loading kilns, teaching kids, or working nights while other people create. If what you really want is time, tools, and artistic freedom—membership gives you all of that without burning you out.

Our members aren’t staff. They’re artists. Explorers. Creators. You get access without the emotional labor of being the one who holds it all together for others.

Still debating the staff route? You might want to read Is It Disloyal to Leave Your Pottery Studio?

Conclusion: You Don’t Have to Earn It. You Just Have to Say Yes.

Forget gatekeeping. Forget exhaustion. This is clay for the people. And you don’t need a job title to walk in and start becoming who you were always meant to be with mud in your hands.

Want to Try Us With a Huge Discount?

We know switching studios—or joining one for the first time—can feel like a big leap. That’s why we offer two powerful incentives to make your first step feel exciting instead of scary:

• MYNEWSTUDIO — Save $100 on your first month when you’re coming from another pottery studio. Just bring any kind of proof when you show up.
• NEWMEMBER30 — Not switching studios? No problem. Use this code to get 30% off your first month just for finally giving pottery a try.

We’re not here to lock you into anything. We just want to help you get in the door—and fall in love with clay in a way you’ve never experienced before.

What Our Members Say

“I applied for three studio jobs before realizing I didn’t want to teach—I wanted to make. The Clay Hole gave me that.”
- Jordan A.

“I thought I had to work for access. Turns out, I just needed to join. Best decision ever.”
- Eli N.

FAQs

Do I have to be staff to use the studio?
Not at all. Members have full access to tools, glazes, wheels, and kilns—no employment required.

Can I teach or help out if I want to?
Maybe! We do sometimes invite members to contribute—but only if they’re excited about it. Never out of obligation.

Is membership cheaper than working in exchange for access?
In most cases, yes. Because what you get in emotional, creative, and time value far outweighs the burnout of working.

See All FAQs

Find Us on Social Media

Follow @theclayhole on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to see how real artists work—not just work for access.

Find Us in Draper, Utah

Fine Print: Offer valid for first-time members of The Clay Hole only. To use MYNEWSTUDIO, you must show proof that you’re coming from another studio when you arrive. If not, you may use NEWMEMBER30 for 30% off. Offers may not be combined and are subject to change without notice.

Written by Dan Pearce, ceramic artist, author, and founder of The Clay Hole—a 10,000 sq. ft. community pottery studio in Draper, Utah. With nearly 3 million followers across platforms, Dan is known for his expressive pottery, inclusive studio culture, and commitment to creative connection.