Privates and parties are with your own instructor(s) at your own time slot. They include step-by-step instruction, clay, tools, choice of glaze color, and post-production of your pots (bisque and glaze firing).

Your instructor preps the wheel area, clay and tools ahead of time. After a short intro and demo, students receive step-by-step instruction on how to make and design a pot on the wheel. We focus on making a bowl or a smaller pot that are best for beginners.

At the end of class, the instructor will guide everyone through a quick clean up. After, students choose a glaze color for their piece. Your pots stay at the studio and staff handle all the post-production - glazing and firing. Once every pot in your group is finished, the staff will contact you for pick-up.

**Please allow 6-8 weeks for your pottery to go through the entire firing process. Scroll further to read the Student Waiver*

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. We encourage everyone to put your phones away completely and be fully engaged in the class to get the most out of it.

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

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.

DEPARTURE: We kindly ask your group depart no more than 15 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 understanding!

We welcome food and drinks for parties and private events; however, please remember that we are not a restaurant, picnic area, or dining venue. The pottery class will occupy the entire duration of your time with us, and we cannot provide additional time for sit-down meals and beverages. There are several nearby restaurants you can visit before or after your event!

• If you plan to bring cake, food, or drinks, please coordinate with us in advance for the best recommendations.

• Prior arrangements are essential; otherwise, our staff may not be able to accommodate your needs.

• Reach out to us for specific guidelines and suggestions before bringing anything to your party.

Keep in mind that the focus will be on the pottery class, so everyone’s hands will be covered in clay throughout the session.

Please refrain from having any items delivered to the studio before your arrival, as staff will not accept deliveries on your behalf in your absence. You are welcome to bring light balloons or small decorations, but please note we cannot hang anything, rearrange furniture, or modify the studio space. We can only accommodate arrivals within 15 minutes before your class. Remember, the main focus is on the pottery!

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. Because we are getting materials, reserving wheels and teachers are prepping ahead of time, we do not offer prorated refunds if less people show up than your reservation. 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.

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!). Bitter Root Pottery is not responsible for your jewelry or personal belongings. The clay will wash out and we do provide clean aprons; but wear clothes you don’t mind getting clay on.

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 it done before)!

Please allow at least six-eight (6-8) 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 - shapes may warp slightly or 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, “perfect” pots cannot be 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.

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.