BOOK A PRIVATE (ADULT 18+ studio)

5th floor - Penthouse

Celebrate with a private pottery class led by your own dedicated instructor(s), perfect for birthdays, team-building events, or special gatherings with friends and family.

We’ll work closely with you to schedule a time that fits your group and create a fun, hands-on experience tailored to your needs. If you have any special requests—such as bringing lite bites, beverages, or decorations—feel free to contact our management team by email to discuss accommodations.

During checkout, your group will select one vessel to create together: a Bowl, Vase, or Matcha Bowl. All materials are included, and no prior experience is needed—just come ready to play with clay!

$120 per person (Instructor gratuity included).

Visiting from out of town? We offer shipping for finished pieces once they’ve gone through the full firing process (standard shipping rates apply.)

Our special 2-person private lesson set in a picturesque location. Surrounded by blooming flowers and breathtaking views, our private patio at the baroque penthouse offers the perfect setting to explore your creativity

 IMPORTANT NOTES TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING AT BAROQUE:

1. Book for the correct location. We have 3 locations - Bitter Root Pottery Baroque Location (which you are booking now - 5th floor, penthouse) , Beverly Grove Location (1st floor 7451 Beverly Blvd) and Hayden Tract in Culver City (3605 Hayden Ave) .If you need to book at Hayden Location, please switch locations in the top menu. Please note that pricing and availability could vary between locations.

2. Calendar Availability - Book using the calendar below. Privates must be booked at least 48 hours in advance based on available time slots. Be aware that people book weeks in advance - sometimes months. If the date is blocked out, it is because someone has already booked that slot. Please choose another date/time.

3. The online calendar maxes at 12 students. Email us if you have more than 14 people. The contact link is above.

4. Privates do NOT mean the studio is shut down or sections are roped off. They mean you have your own instructor for your group. There will still be other things happening in other areas but it will not interfere with your private/party.

5. Food and Drink are welcome. When you book, you can write a note and we’ll contact you to help coordinate.

6. No refunds or reschedules once you book. We do not offer prorated refunds if less people show than your reservation.

7. Book for the correct amount of people. If you show up with more than you reserved for, we may not be able to admit everyone - this is about space and staffing. If you need to add someone, we need atleast 48 hours advance notice or we may not be able to accommodate.

8. All students in this space must be 18+

WHAT IS INCLUDED AND WHAT TO EXPECT

Includes your own time with your own instructor, all clay, aprons, tools, choice of glaze color, post-production of your pots (firings).
**
Your teacher preps the wheel area ahead of time. You’ll receive step-by-step instruction on how to make and design a bowl or small pot on the wheel. After class, you’ll choose from a variety of glaze colors. Your piece stays at the studio and staff handle all the post-production - glazing and firing. The instructor will guide you through a quick clean up.

Once every pot in your group is finished, the staff will contact you for pick-up.

**Please allow about 7-8 weeks for your pottery to go through the entire firing process.*

ARRIVAL TIME - DEPARTURE TIME

ARRIVAL: Your party must arrive 15 minutes prior to a private booking to maximize your time! You will not be given extra time if you are late for your booking.

DEPARTURE: We kindly ask your group depart no more than 10 minutes after the end of your booking. Other bookings are happening before and after your time and staff need to clean up properly between sessions. Thank you for your cooperation!

FOOD/DRINK POLICY for PRIVATES

Food and drink are welcome for parties and privates. However, we are not a restaurant, picnic area, or dining venue. We do not give extra time for food or drink - the pottery class will take up the entire time. There are plenty of restaurants close by that you can visit before or after your party!

Please do NOT bring in any food/drink without prior arrangement. If you do, staff may not allow it or be able to prepare space to accommodate. Contact us for specific protocol BEFORE you plan to bring anything to your party. The focus is on the pottery class so everyone’s hands will be covered in clay.

DECORATIONS/DELIVERIES

You are welcome to bring light balloons or small decorations. However, we cannot hang anything, rearrange furniture, or alter the studio space. Additionally, staff will NOT accept deliveries or decorations on your behalf when you are not present. We cannot accommodate your arrival time more than 15 minutes before your class. Please do not have anything delivered to the studio. Remember the focus is on getting muddy in clay! Any questions, please contact us.

Attendance, Refunds, Reschedules

We do not offer refunds or reschedules for missed bookings - all sales are final. We cannot change a reservation once it is made and the teacher is scheduled. Everyone in your group must SHOW UP ON TIME!! Showing up promptly, allows the private to start and end on time without interruptions. If you are late, the class will still end at the listed time.

Cell Phone Policy

Please respect your instructor and the others in the studio - put your phones on vibrate, silent or lower the volume. Take all phone calls outside if needed..

Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you get your pictures and videos.

What to Wear

Come dressed comfortably, with long hair tied back and nice jewelry and watches removed (they won’t get hurt but it is a pain to clean the clay off!). The clay will wash out and we do provide clean aprons, but wear clothes you don’t mind getting clay on. Please bring sunglasses for outdoor area classes.

And just a friendly tip - long nails are not pottery-friendly because the process involves so much of your hands and fingers (but we’ve seen people do it before)!

Parking

During the week, parking is street 2 hours metered and non-metered parking so pay attention to the signs. On weekends, select parking is available in our backlot. We suggest rideshare for larger groups or if you don’t want to deal with street parking Monday - Friday.

CDC Guidelines Note

Bitter Root adheres to current guidelines for LA County and asks all our students and members to be prepared to follow any protocols. As of Friday, February 25, 2022 in LA County, masks are not required indoors for vaccinated individuals. With any hobby and non-essential activity, coming to the studio and participating in class or membership is done at your own discretion with full awareness we are a public space, adhering to LA County guidelines. Others will be taking classes or working on projects in other areas.

Staff are fully vaccinated and ready to welcome you to the studio. We appreciate your cooperation as we keep the studio running smoothly and safely for everyone!

Student Waiver

ATTENTION BITTER ROOT POTTERY STUDENTS:

Please allow 7-8 weeks for your pottery to complete the firing process. Staff will contact you when everyone’s pottery in your group is ready to be picked up. From the time of your contact, you have 30 days to come pick up your pottery. After 30 days, your work may not be available for pick-up as we need to clear room for new student work.

OCCASIONALLY, PIECES DO NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE FIRING PROCESS DUE TO AIR BUBBLES, CONSTRUCTION ISSUES, ETC. OCCASIONALLY, FIRINGS DO NOT GO AS PLANNED AND GLAZES MAY COME OUT DIFFERENT THAN EXPECTED. STAFF CANNOT CONTROL THE RESULTS OF FIRINGS ONCE A POT IS IN THE KILN. THIS IS SIMPLY THE NATURE OF THE IMPERFECT CERAMIC PROCESS. COMPLETED PIECES ARE NOT GUARANTEED.

REFUNDS WILL NOT BE ISSUED IF YOUR PIECE DOES NOT MAKE IT.

You are coming to Bitter Root Pottery for the whole experience of working in a ceramics studio with a knowledgeable, friendly instructor! Our instructors have been working for years in this discipline to learn its many nuances and to get to the skills they have today. These skills cannot be imparted in one 2 hour session. So while you may have ideas of making a perfect bowl, we encourage you to put those expectations down and focus on enjoying the entire experience of working with clay and engaging with the creative process so in-depth.