Concho Clay Studio
The Concho Clay Studio is a fully equipped ceramics and pottery studio owned and operated by the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. We offer hands-on pottery and clay sculpture classes for all ages, welcoming beginners, hobbyists, and experienced artists to explore ceramic art in San Angelo. The Concho Clay Studio’s mission is to provide opportunities to learn the ceramic process and to create community through clay.
Call for Entries
The Concho Clay Studio National Juried Cup Show invites ceramic artists 18 and older from across the United States to submit functional and sculptural cup works for exhibition in Gallery Verde during San Angelo’s 2026 Ceramics Weekend. Juried by Dexter Woods, this national competition offers cash awards including Juror’s Choice and People’s Choice, as well as the opportunity for museum purchase.
Selected work will be exhibited April 15–19, 2026 in San Angelo. $20 entrance fee.
Apply by February 10, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CST — submit up to 3 entries with high-resolution images.
Upcoming Ceramics Workshops
STEAM Sculpting Class
The Concho Clay Studio offers free clay classes for kids. This program is called our STEAM Sculpting Class and occurs every Family Day in two time slots, 10 AM and 12 PM.
Kids aged 7–17 are invited to join a clay instructor every Family Day for a fun, hands-on clay workshop designed just for kids and teens!
Kids will learn basic hand-building techniques while exploring their creativity.
STEAM Sculpting is generously sponsored by the Mary Ellen Kent Bunyard Foundation. This grant helps keep classes free for kids!
This February, kids will create ceramic lovebirds in a workshop led by Korynn Johnston. Slots are limited. Register by clicking below.
Adult Workshop
The Concho Clay Studio hosts visiting artist workshops, date nights, friends nights out, and other special events for one-of-a-kind clay experiences. We also offer private events for small groups and team-building activities.
This February, the Concho Clay Studio at San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts will host a Valentine’s Date Night Workshop. Make ceramic heart-shaped boxes with instructor Suzanne Horner!
Artists of all skill levels are invited to this workshop. We encourage beginners! This workshop is $80 per couple. Adults only (18+)!
Register by clicking below.
Current Course Offerings
SAMFA’s Concho Clay Studio offers regular 8-week courses for adults. Students can register for these classes at the clay studio to learn pottery and clay sculpture techniques.
Open Studio Access is included with all 8-week ceramics classes. Current students may use open studio hours as part of their enrollment, and experienced artists can purchase an access pass only. This option is for more advanced ceramic students who do not need an instructor but would benefit from access to the studio and kilns to make their work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Reach out to Horacio Casillas, the Concho Clay Studio Manager, by clicking below or emailing ceramics@samfa.org.
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No. Any adult is welcome to sign up for our 8-week classes. Courses are recreational and do not have grades or mandatory projects.
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Regular 8-week courses and most workshops at the Clay Studio are for adults 18 years and older. Students 16 years and older may attend our classes if a parent or guardian signs up with them. The Concho Clay Studio partners with SAMFA’s Education Studio for STEAM Sculpting, our youth ceramics program, typically for Family Day.
Visit samfa.org/education for more information, email education@samfa.org.
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Please sign up anyway! Concho Clay Studio offers ways to make up missed classes through open studio or by sitting in on a different class. Contact ceramics@samfa.org with any questions.
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Yes! The Concho Clay Studio offers 8-week ceramics courses for adults that run continuously with back-to-back sessions. There is often a week or two of maintenance between sessions. Look for upcoming session dates and follow us on social media @conchoclay, and sign up for our newsletter on this page to be notified when registration opens.
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Sign up and pay for multiple tickets to a class on the course listings on our website. Then email ceramics@samfa.org with contact information for all students, including name, email, and phone number.
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You may receive a full refund for classes up to 24 hours prior to the start of class. 50% refunds are available until the 4th class day. After the 4th class, no refunds can be issued.
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Yes! SAMFA members receive discounts on all classes, open studio, workshops, and clay purchases. Become a member at samfa.org/support. We also offer early-bird registration discounts that combine with member discounts. Military and seniors receive discounts on open studio, workshops, and clay purchases.
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Open Studio is a flexible, self-paced option for ceramic artists who want to work independently in a fully equipped clay studio. It’s available to adults (18+) who have completed at least one 8-week ceramics course with the Concho Clay Studio.
Whether you’re continuing your clay journey after a class or just want dedicated time to create, Open Studio gives you access to the tools, space, and firings you need.
Registration for 8-week courses always includes open studio access. Learn more at samfa.org/open-studio.
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Volunteer slots are currently filled, but check with our Education Studio for exciting volunteer opportunities!
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Yes. The Clay Studio has a paid internship position available for ASU art students who need college credit. Email ceramics@samfa.org or visit samfa.org/concho-clay-studio-internship-program for more information.
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Check the Education Studio schedule at samfa.org/art-thursdays and visit Art Thursday events to pick up ceramic pieces from kids’ classes, camps, or family clay days. Email education@samfa.org with any questions.
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All date night participants are sent an email to pick up their work within two weeks after the event. If work is not picked up within two weeks of the email date, the work becomes property of the Concho Clay Studio and there is no guarantee that we will still have the pieces. Pick up for date night is in the Concho Clay Studio during open studio hours. If you participated in a downtown date night at a location other than the Concho Clay Studio, your pieces will be picked up at that location.
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Donations are welcome to support our outreach programs and scholarships. Please send checks made out to San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts and address them to:
Concho Clay Studio
1 Love Street
San Angelo, TX 76903
Please include a note describing the donation and its preferred use. You can also donate online to the Clay Studio or our scholarship fund at samfa.org/support.
We also accept gently used ceramic equipment, glazes, and labeled material donations. Contact ceramics@samfa.org with any questions or to schedule a drop-off.
