Creativity Through Ceramics

Ceramics classes have always been a way for me to unwind and get lost in the process of creating something with my own two hands. Upon coming to Nanjing, I wanted to find a new studio and use the experience to branch out into the city. I was lucky enough to experience two sides of ceramics in Nanjing: DIY activities made for a one-time experience, and professional studios of students majoring in ceramics. This blog delves into my personal experiences with ceramics and the community in Nanjing as well as my plans to continue my involvement in the future.

Taking a DIY Ceramics Class 

To kickstart the studio-finding process, I spent several days searching on 小红书 xiǎo hóng shū (a Chinese equivalent of Instagram) as well as on 百度地图 bǎidù dìtú (a Chinese equivalent of Google) trying to find a convenient and accessible studio. I quickly learned that experiencing ceramics here is a bit different. Unlike the weekly class packs and set studio hours I’m used to in the United States, many people in China approach creative activities like pottery, dance, or DIY crafts in a much more flexible way. According to my Chinese friends, most Chinese people book a one-time class whenever the mood strikes, signing up through apps like 大众点评 dàzhòng diǎnpíng, which makes finding DIY classes easy and accessible. 

I decided to try it out for myself, purchasing a single ceramics class through 大众点评 dàzhòng diǎnpíng for 113 yuan (about $16) — which is very affordable compared to classes in the US. The class also did not require any rigid scheduling. Once purchased, it was valid for up to 90 days, so I was able to drop by whenever was convenient!  

Unlike the pottery studios I frequent back home which are typically located in community centers, this ceramics store was in the kids' section of a shopping mall, with lots of cute, bright glazes and specific character-focused painting options. Despite being the only adult there without kids, no one seemed to mind, and I felt free to dive into the experience. I noticed that the staff were mostly throwing the pots for everyone, but I was insistent on giving it a try myself.  The teacher was very helpful, and we talked about how the throwing methods and equipment at the store were different from what I had previously experienced in America. For example, the store used porcelain clay, which is more water-absorbent and a bit trickier to work with than the clay I usually handle. I had trouble building up the walls of my pot because I accidentally thinned it out too much, and I eventually was left with a pot about half the size of the clay I had started with.  

Once my pot was somewhat stable, I moved on to trimming, and, thanks to my previous experience, I was able to do it myself while the teachers helped others. I most enjoyed the painting experience. Typically, I dip my pieces for color back home, but here they had a rainbow of slips, and many smaller brushes, so I was encouraged to experiment! I sketched koi fish and lily pads in pencil on my pot before painting over them with a clay-based slip. It was a new technique for me, and I enjoyed the creative freedom it offered (though my painting skills are very limited).

In total, the experience took about 2.5 hours— around the same amount of time I’d usually spend at my studio back home. However, there were some differences. I noticed they used a tool that looked like a hairdryer to speed up the drying process, which initially made me a bit nervous since I worried about cracking. But when I asked the teachers, they explained that they use quick-dry clay, and the machine was a special clay dryer designed to avoid cracks. Since this type of pottery experience is a one-time event for most people, it’s structured to be completed in a single day. I liked this setup because I could take home my piece just a week after it had been fired in the kiln. 

I loved the experience of trying ceramics in a new way and bringing home a piece of art. That said, I was still on the hunt for a studio to work on longer-term projects and maybe dive a little deeper into the craft.  

Visiting a Ceramics Studio at Nanjing University of the Arts 

While the one-time DIY class offered a playful introduction to how most Chinese people interact with pottery, my visit to Nanjing University of the Arts provided a more structured look at ceramics study in China. One of my friends at the HNC heard that I was interested in learning more about ceramics and mentioned that her friend at Nanjing University of the Arts is a ceramics major. She asked him if we could visit his studio and look around. To my excitement, he said yes, and I was able to explore their studio! 

The Nanjing University of the Arts has an incredible ceramics studio in a huge warehouse. There is plenty of equipment, materials, and the space is open late for students working on their art projects. My new friend explained that the ceramics classes focus on using traditional mediums, and students also study the history of different art forms such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, and calligraphy. He brought us over to the wheels and let me try my hand at making a pot. The equipment was very familiar, with a large table for wedging clay, huge sinks, rows of wheels, and a room full of kilns. The space definitely felt similar to my studio back in the US.  

My new friend gave me a large piece of clay and I started trying to center it on the wheel to begin the process of making a bowl. The red clay they used was also different from the less water-absorbent gray clay I am used to, and I initially had some trouble handling it. I asked some of the students for help, and they explained that I was using too much pressure and water. Working more gently with clay is something I need to practice! It was really cool to see what techniques the students were learning in their college-level ceramics class. Even when the walls of my pot kept collapsing, my new friends gave me more clay and encouraged me to keep trying. Though I did not end up finishing a pot, I had a ton of fun! 

After cleaning up the workspace, we explored the exhibition room next to the studio, and I was able to learn more about the different types of ceramics styles, both traditional and abstract, that teachers and students were exploring in their coursework. I also got to see the different materials used, including special minerals and glazes, and checked out the many different types of traditional Chinese geometric patterns and natural scenes that students drew and painted on their works. After the tour, my new friends invited me to come back to their studio and try again, and I hope to do so soon! The studio is not open to the public for courses, which emphasizes how the middle ground between professional study of ceramics and a one-time experience is difficult to find in China. I am grateful for the kindness of my new friends for letting me try to find this happy medium. 

Future Plans 

Both of these experiences so far have really helped me keep in touch with my creative side while studying at HNC. In addition to honing my pottery skills, I am eager to delve deeper into the history and techniques unique to Chinese ceramics. I hope to learn more about different regional styles and visit Jingdezhen, one of China’s ceramics hubs that my HNC classmates recommend traveling to. I am excited to keep practicing my Mandarin while exploring Nanjing through ceramics! 

Written by Hannah Bases MAIS'26