Frequently Asked Questions
What is Throwdown Ceramics?
Throwdown Ceramics is an ego-free pottery studio located in Alameda, CA. We are built to be your "acoustic alternative" to the digital world—a raw, welcoming space where you can drop the daily grind, put down your phone, and get your hands dirty. We offer 6-week courses, one-night workshops, and monthly open studio memberships for makers of all levels to safely fail their way to mastery.
Where exactly is Throwdown Ceramics located at Alameda Point?
We are located on the ground floor of the Store House Lofts building at 2350 Saratoga St #155, Alameda, CA. We share a roof with incredible local spots like Salt Breaker, Humble Sea, Bluedrip Coffee, and Vinyl Wine Bar. Whether you are coming from the main island, taking the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry, or exploring Spirits Alley, we are perfectly positioned for you to grab a bite, grab a drink, and swap your screen time for wheel time.
What makes Throwdown's studio stand out from other pottery spaces?
We built this space with the actual maker in mind. First, it’s spacious enough for a full class without ever feeling crowded. We are fully climate-controlled (A/C and heat), meaning you won’t be shivering with numb hands in the winter or sweating bullets over your masterpiece in the summer. We also take potter's health seriously. We dedicate extra time after every single session to deeply clean and keep the space dust-free. As a huge bonus for our makers, we even manage the studio's humidity! This means predictable drying times, so you aren't left guessing when your piece will be leather-hard and ready to trim. We go the extra mile to ensure you are totally comfortable, whether you're dropping in for a therapeutic spin on the wheel or spending a long day perfecting a work of art.
Can I bring food or grab a coffee while I'm at the studio?
Absolutely. We know that dropping the daily grind requires good fuel. That’s why we built a dedicated, 100% clay-free kitchenette right inside the studio. It’s a guaranteed clean zone where you can wash up, brew a quick cup from our Keurig, or sit down with a meal you packed from home. Craving a specialty brew or a crafted tea? You're in luck—Bluedrip Coffee is right here in the Store House Lofts building. Go grab a drink from them, bring your takeout from our neighbors, and use our kitchenette as the perfect spot to take a breather, talk shop with other makers, and recharge before getting back to the wheel.
Where is the best beginner pottery class in Alameda or the East Bay?
Right here at Throwdown! We are currently offering specialized beginner classes. As our students grow we will continue to offer new and more advanced workshops and courses for our students. If you aren't ready for a big commitment, our 2-hour Friday night "Try It" workshops are the perfect way to test the waters. If you want to dive deeper, our 6-week wheel throwing and handbuilding courses are designed to take you from a lump of mud to a finished, functional piece of art in a totally judgment-free zone.
What is included in the cost of a Throwdown Ceramics 6-week course? We handle the heavy lifting so you can just focus on creating. Every 6-week student receives a 25 lb. bag of clay (plenty to get you through the course), glazes, and standard kiln firings. You also get full use of our shared studio tools while you are here. No hidden fees and zero prep required—just show up ready to get messy.
Do you offer open studio memberships for experienced potters in the Bay Area?
Yes. For artists who already know the basics and want a creative home base, we offer an Open Studio Monthly Membership. It includes unlimited monthly access to our wheels, handbuilding tables, and kilns. Because we fiercely protect our collaborative, ego-free culture, we ask prospective members to fill out a quick vibe-check form before joining to ensure our space aligns with your goals. (Note: We are a community studio, not a factory, so high-volume production work is not allowed).
What kind of clay do you use, and can I bring my own?
To protect our kilns and the hard work of our community, all clay used and fired at Throwdown Ceramics must be purchased directly from the studio. One piece of the wrong clay can melt and destroy a kiln, so we are strict about only firing clay we know. We are using midfire clay and glazes. Standard firings for pieces under 13 inches are included for members and students, with scaled firing fees for oversized work.