Ready the kiln, we’re firing up good ideas

8 pottery studios in Tampa Bay

Two people kneel in a bricked crevice tending to a wood-fire kiln at the Morean Center for Clay.

Ceramicists load the wood-fire kiln. | Photo via the Morean Center for Clay

Was your New Year’s resolution to embrace creativity more often in your daily life? How ‘bout pottery?

Crafting ceramics is one way to exercise the right side of your brain (and it’s phone-free to boot). You can learn how to throw your own bowls, plates, and pots on the potter’s wheel or craft boho pinch pots and sculptures with nothing more than clay and some ingenuity.

We’ve put together a range of Tampa Bay ceramics studios offering everything from six-week wheel throwing classes to date night experiences perfect for toting your left brain partner along.

Morean Center for Clay | 420 22nd St. | S., St. Petersburg, FL
Located in the historic train station building, the Morean Center for Clay is the largest working pottery center in the Southeast US. The center offers six-week classes on hand building + wheel throwing year-round for all skill levels, weekend workshops on everything from surface design to wood-firing, studio hours, kids camps, and a gallery with rotating pieces you can check out for inspiration.
Charlie Parker Pottery | 2724 6th Ave. S., St. Petersburg
Founded by one of St. Pete’s legendary potters, Charlie Parker, this studio offers smaller wheel classes for those looking for closer instruction. Pro tip: check out the studio’s Instagram for new themed class offerings like Jack-o'-lanterns and more

A group of 10 people of varying ages sit around a rectangular table in a purple room while holding up ornaments and brushes. Paint palettes, bowls, and other supplies sit on the table. — Bring the book club or the fam for a little something different.

You Do the Dishes | 15357 Amberly Dr, Tampa, FL
Not into throwing on the wheel? You can still get in on the fun at this paint-your-own-pottery and coffee house. Perfect for groups, the shop offers themed classes (think decorating ornaments), daily specials, and at-home options.
The Ceramic Garden | 19213 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, Lutz
This Lutz studio operates under the belief that art is therapy and hosts team-building ceramics courses, an after-school art program, and a range of other pottery classes.
The Hive St. Pete | 559 49th St. S., St. Petersburg
This community-focused space offers a range of kids, teens, and adult classes, date night courses, and one-on-one instruction time for honing your skills with an experienced potter. The space is also available for holiday parties and other events.

Calling all master ceramicists...Did we miss any other spots? Let us know.

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Today, Jan. 19

Fleetwood Gold | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $25-$35 | Fleetwood Gold will take you on a musical journey from the early years of Fleetwood Mac through Stevie Nicks’ solo career.
Steve Hofstetter | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 7:30-9 p.m. | The Tampa Improv, 1600 E. 8th Ave. Ste C-112, Tampa | $37-$110 | Author, columnist, and comedian Steve Hofstetter takes the stage.
“Roshin’s Wake” A One-Woman Show | Thursday, Jan. 19-Saturday, Jan. 21 | Times vary | The Studio@620 , 620 1st Ave., South, St. Petersburg | $20 | This new solo show was written, directed, and performed by award-winning actor and Gulfport resident, Dorothy Hershman.

Friday, Jan. 20

Gasparilla: A Tampa Tradition | Friday, Jan. 20-Sunday, March 5 | Times vary | Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $7-$12 | Check out photographs from 1904 to now, vintage invitations and pirate tokens, and gowns worn by Gasparilla queens.
Kathleen Madigan | Friday, Jan. 20 | 8 p.m. | Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S., St. Petersburg | $43-$68.50 | Kathleen Madigan’s 33-year comedy career continues with her Boxed Wine & Tiny Banjos Tour.

Saturday, Jan. 21

Electronics & Holiday Lights Recycling Drive | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | ZooTampa at Lowry Park, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa | Free | Bring those holiday string lights, desktop computers, flatscreen monitors, and mobile phones.
Awakening Saturday Market & Psychic Fair | Saturday, Jan. 21, Saturday, Feb. 18 | 12-7 p.m. | Sierra Club Office, 1990 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | Free | Meet practitioners and local businesses offering holistic-living services and goods.
Midnight in Paris | Saturday, Jan. 21 | Museum of Fine Arts St. Pete, 255 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg | $600-$650 | Sip cocktails and champagne while listening to music and mingling with friends in support of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.

Sunday, Jan. 22

Yoga on the Lawn | Sunday, Jan. 22 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa | Free | Kodawari Studios leads a practice for all skill levels.
Market on Main | Sunday, Jan. 22-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Times vary | Main Street Safety Harbor, 750 Main St., Safety Harbor | Free | Shop for your weekly produce and other local goods at the weekly open-air market.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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Education

It’s a big day for the Bulls. Longtime local lawyer + USF’s interim president, Rhea Law, will be sworn in as the university’s eighth president at an inauguration ceremony this afternoon. Attend today at the Yuengling Center (12499 USF Bull Run Dr., Tampa) from 1-2 p.m. 🎓

Transit

TBARTA may meet its end soon. The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority’s board meets this Friday, Jan. 20 to vote on whether to close the regional agency. According to the proposal, the organization’s office lease runs out at the end of September 2023 + business operations would stop by the end of the year. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
A record 2.4 million passengers visited the St. Pete-Clearwater Airport in 2022. Now, officials are working on designs for a $100 million expansion that would address the increase in visitors. ✈️ (FOX 13 Tampa Bay)

Opening

Ready to order a brew from an ultra Americana 1971 airstream? Rollin’ Mullet, Seminole Heights’ newest bar + cafe, opens Thursday, Feb. 9, at 3 p.m. at 6401 North Nebraska Avenue — and Mayor Jane Castor will pour the first ale. (That’s So Tampa)

Show

It’s time to celebrate the queen of pop. Madonna’s Celebration Tour is coming to Amalie Arena Thursday, Sept. 7. The show will take attendees through four decades of the legendary popstar’s musical catalogue. Tickets start at $40 + go on sale Friday, Jan. 20. 🎤 (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Plan Ahead

St. Pete Shuffleboard Club’s 11th annual Tweed Ride is back this Saturday, Jan. 21. Locals clad in vintage attire will bike a four-mile loop around the Burg. The ride starts at 4 p.m. after light tea and scones and is followed by dinner + a performance by Junco Royals. Buy tickets online. 🚴 (I Love the Burg)
Looking for winter activities for the littles? Bounce The Mall, a giant inflatables event, comes to St. Pete Saturday, Jan. 28. Tickets start at $23 to enjoy the eight different inflatables, partake in an obstacle course, rock out at the silent disco, and more. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

Travel

Scott’s Cheap Flights is going, going...Going. The travel membership that saves you hundreds on flights has a new name, and in honor of the rebrand, you can get 30% off a Premium membership with code 6AMCITY30. What you’ll get: last minute weekend trips, mistake fares, and early deal alerts. ✈️*

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New St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport murals unveiled

New St. Pete- Clearwater Airport murals unveiled

Laura “Miss Crit” Spencer and Leo Gomez pose in front of the completed panels. | Photo via @leogomezstudio + @ayce09

Flying out of St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport soon? You’re in for a treat.

Local lettering artists Leo Gomez + Laura “Miss Crit” Spencer recently wrapped up work on a beautiful, bright mural that reminds visitors to “go easy.” The pair were selected from a pool of 20 applicants back in September to create the airport’s first murals, according to Visit Tampa Bay.

Gomez’s artful brushstrokes envelop the airport in color — rich orange, icy blue, and ombréd fuchsia — and Spencer’s bees and butterflies bring a sense of place. The completed panels adorn the terminal outside Gates 7-11 and 12 — so guests arriving and leaving sunny St. Pete are left with one last image of a Tampa Bay sunset.

Catch more of Gomez’s work around town. The artist is now working on festooning Central Avenue’s Tombolo Books in color. Check out the mural’s progress on Instagram.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bailey.

Editor’s pick: What zodiac sign would you attribute to your Tampa Bay neighborhood. Send us your reasoning.

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Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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