What makes the Art Escape pottery studio so much fun!
First, the back story. So there we were, a couple in our early 60s, leaving southern California behind to create our dream lives in Montana. We dreamt of living in nature, hiking in the forest, swimming in the lakes, creating a huge garden AND creating our ideal ceramic arts studio… for ourselves and to share with other like-minded people. We also had a desire to live off the land.
For years, we’d visualized creating this type of space and in 2018, we realized that dream. Off to Whitefish, Montana we went.
We knew going in that were that were ‘a bit older’ and that older bodies and joints called for some modern ceramic tools and equipment. Especially when Steve likes to throw pots that are on the larger size! Dang…you mean we get to buy new toys? Yes and so we have.
We now that the following:
- A fancy big kiln
- 4 wheels for lessons and locals to improve their skills on
- Extruder with tons of templates
- Slab roller
- Several types of clay
- All your basic tools and toys and more…see list below for more.
Special equiptment makes throwing on the wheel easier on your body.
We worked hard for decades to get here, far too hard to just give up due to sciattaca pain or knee or elbow pain.
This is why in addition to the stand up pottery wheel, all the stand up work stations AND all the usual pottery tools and machines, we also invested in both this beast of a Pugmill and the Strong Arm Tool.
The Peter Pugger VPN-60
Throwing large on the wheel has always facinated me. Centering large pieces is the hardest part. To make it as easy as possible, we start with extra soft clay. The softer the clay, the easier it is to center it.
The Peter Pugger allows us to mix, de-air and pug up to 140 lbs of clay (including reclaim) and get it just as soft as we want.
The Strong Arm Tool
The Strong Arm tool isn’t just for beginners. As a matter of fact, I discourage most beginners from using it. On the other hand, if you’re a beginner and you want to get to the fun part faster or, if your not strong enough to center clay, then go for it! Your bowls, pots and cups will be perfectly centered on day one.
I can center up to 80 lbs. without the Strong Arm Tool but it hurts my elbows and to be honest, without The Stron Arm Tool, my big pieces are rarely as symetrical as I’d like them to be.
When I do use the centering tool, my pieces come out amazing.
Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced potters like me with joint pain, you’ll love The Strong Arm Tool.
The Pottery Studio
Fully functioning pottery studio! We have two areas where we do pottery…our brand new wheel throwing studio and our hand-building studio. Between the two areas, you’ll find everything a potter could hope for.
- Lots of misc. tools for working on
- 4 Wheels
- The Strong Arm Tool
- Peter Pugger with the tile attachment and other great gizmos.
- Hand tools galore
- Slab roller
- Extruder with a ton of templates
- Big electric kiln
- Underglazes of every color
- Fully stocked glaze room
- Several types of clay
- Big sink which makes clean up easy
- And lots more…
Pottery Lessons
Would you like to learn to throw ceramics on the wheel?
If you’re a beginner and you want to learn, one lesson will get you started.
- Intro to the pottery wheel
- Centering
- Stacking thrown pieces
- Beginning hand building
- Throwing large pots
- How to use the slab roller
- How to use the extruder
- How to use the pugger
The studio is open from 7:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Private and semi-private lessons are $125.00
Visit our pottery wheel-throwing lesson page for more information or book your 3 hour wheel throwing lesson here.
Hand-Building Workshops
We offer a variety of hand-building workshops for small groups of people (3-6). Check out the hand-building workshop list here.
I stayed at Art Escape for several days this fall and Steve gave me a beginning wheel lesson. It was great! There’s more to this studio than meets the eye…both Steve and Elisabeth have wonderful wisdom to share. I was sad to go.
Get In Touch
We’re here to help you plan a great artistic vacation. How can we help?
Message from Art Escape
Address
Art Escape is located just outside of beautiful Whitefish, Montana in the foothills.
Call or Text
(805) 637-7888 (Whatsapp is fine also)