Your next pottery day starts here
Open Studio at Cariku Art Lab · Fall & Winter 2026
Make time for clay this fall and winter. Our welcoming Black Mountain studio offers space to practice, explore new ideas, and enjoy creating alongside other pottery lovers.
You no longer need to take a Cariku class to join Open Studio! If you have pottery experience and can work independently, you’re welcome here, whether you learned with us or somewhere else.
Four hours to create · $20 per session
Available Tuesday – Saturday:
• Morning: 9 AM–1 PM
• Afternoon: 1–5 PM
Choose a session that fits your schedule and book at least 24 hours ahead.
Is Open Studio right for you?
Open Studio is for adults 18 and older with experience in wheel throwing or handbuilding who feel comfortable working independently. Instruction is not included.
New to Cariku?
Email Carolina at carolina@cariku.com before your first visit so we can learn a little about your experience and help you get started.
What’s included
• Access to studio equipment during your booked session
• Use of our dipping glazes and underglazes
• Bisque and glaze firing for up to five pieces per person per week, made during Open Studio
Additional pieces may incur firing fees. Please check with us before making unusually large pieces.
Clay is purchased separately. We carry Kentucky Mudworks clay at the studio.
Started at home? Bring it along!
You’re welcome to continue or finish your pottery during a paid $20 Open Studio session. Those pieces qualify for the included firing allowance of up to five pieces per person per week.
All clay and glazes must be approved by Cariku before firing to ensure compatibility with our kilns. Pieces brought in only for firing, without working on them during Open Studio, are subject to separate kiln-service fees.
What to bring
Bring your pottery tools, apron, and towel. A limited selection of shared tools may be available, and basic tool kits are available to purchase for $15.
Please take personal tools, and personal glazes home after each session. Shared shelves are reserved for pottery moving through the drying and firing process.
Sharing the studio
Classes and workshops sometimes take place during Open Studio. Please keep conversations quiet while instruction is underway and be considerate of everyone sharing the space.
Follow studio equipment and safety guidelines, and leave your work area and shared tools clean for the next person.
Caring for your work
Please label your pieces and keep track of their progress:
• Greenware and work in progress: May remain for up to one month. Label with your name and date. Unclaimed work beyond this period may be discarded during monthly shelf clearing.
• Bisque-fired work: Please glaze or collect within two months of unloading. After that time, pieces may be glazed and donated through the Cariku Art Box.
• Finished pottery: Please collect within two months. Unclaimed pieces may be donated after that time.
Before leaving work for firing, place it on the appropriate cart. Allow approximately two weeks for firing and pickup.
Booking and rescheduling
Please book at least 24 hours before your session. You may reschedule up to one hour before it begins. Missed sessions are non-refundable.
All participants must follow Cariku’s studio policies. Access may be discontinued if safety or shared-space guidelines are not respected. Policies may be updated as needed.
Questions? Email me at carolina@cariku.com.
I look forward to seeing what you create!
Carolina
Cariku Art Lab