Do you offer beginner pottery classes?

Yes! We offer beginner-friendly wheel throwing and handbuilding courses at our Abbotsford studio.

Where is Mayfield Studios located?

We're in Abbotsford, Victoria — just 4km from Melbourne's CBD.

What should I bring to my first class?

Just yourself! We provide clay, tools, and aprons. You might want to wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy.

Pottery Studio FAQs — Mayfield Pottery Studios

Do I need experience to use the studio?

No. Mayfield is open to every maker, with no course to finish first and no experience required. Whether you've just finished a course elsewhere, you're teaching yourself, or you've been making for years, you're welcome here. Studio access is for independent making rather than tuition, but fellow makers and staff are always happy to share what they know. We just ask everyone to work safely, clean up carefully and look after the shared space.

Can I come and look around first?

Of course. Drop in any time during studio hours. No appointment needed. Say hello, meet a few makers, and the kettle is always on.

When is the studio open?

Tuesday to Thursday 9am–9pm, and Friday to Sunday 9am–3pm. We're closed on Mondays. Occasionally part of the studio is used for a private booking. We'll always post these in the studio ahead of time.

Do I need to book?

No. Members and casual makers can come in any time during studio hours, with no booking needed. NDIS participants are welcome by arrangement. See below.

Where are you, and is there parking?

We're at 2 Mayfield Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067. There's no on-site parking, so please allow a little time to find a spot on the street.

Is the studio accessible?

We've rebuilt the studio with accessibility in mind, including accessible bathrooms. If you have particular access needs, please get in touch before your visit and we'll help make sure everything works for you.

Can I use the studio casually?

Yes. Just turn up during studio hours. Casual access is $16 an hour, and you'll never pay more than $40 for 3 hours or $55 for the whole day. Clay, glazes and firing are paid as you use them. When the studio is busy, members have priority at the wheels.

What is studio credit?

If you come in regularly but don't want a membership, studio credit is a great option: pay $350 and get $400 of studio time, to use whenever you like at our casual rates. Credit is for studio time. Clay and firing are paid separately. If you later become a member, any unused credit goes towards your first month. Studio credit can be bought at the studio, and it makes a lovely gift.

Can casual makers leave work at the studio?

Yes. Casual makers can use the shared studio shelving for work that's drying, waiting to be fired or waiting to be collected. Personal storage boxes for tools and clay are for members with storage.

What does membership include?

Membership is $200 a month, or $245 a month with storage. All members get studio access any time during open hours with no booking needed, use of the wheels, tables and shared equipment, shelving for work (full-member shelving with storage membership), firing at the member rate of $11 per kilo, a free friend's visit once a month, community talks and gatherings, and priority at the wheels when it's busy.

What storage comes with membership?

Members on the $200 membership use the shared studio shelving for work in progress. Full membership ($245) includes space on the full-member shelving and a large storage box on wheels for your tools, equipment and clay, so there's no lifting heavy clay on and off high shelves. Space is limited, so if you're struggling to find room, please talk to staff.

Is there a lock-in contract?

No. Membership is billed once a month with no upfront payment, and you can cancel any time before your next billing date. Full membership is capped at 25 members, so the studio stays calm and there's always room to work.

Can I bring a friend?

Yes. Members can bring a friend free once a month. We love meeting new faces. Any other guest visits are at our casual rates.

How does firing work?

Bring your work in during studio hours to weigh, pay and submit it. Our team loads and fires every piece with care, and with four kilns on the go, work usually comes back within a week. We offer bisque, Cone 6 glaze and high-fire stoneware firing for members, casual makers and independent ceramicists. Members pay $11 per kilo. Oversized or unusual work may need to be quoted separately.

Can I book a whole kiln?

Yes. Private kiln bookings start from $180 for bisque, $200 for Cone 6 glaze and $240 for high-fire stoneware, plus a refundable $100 damage deposit. Our kilns hold around 170 litres each. See our kiln firing page for details.

Do you run pottery classes?

We don't currently run multi-week courses. Instead, Mayfield focuses on open studio access, so you can practise at your own pace. We do run one-off experiences, including Friday evening wheel throwing and ceramic painting, plus studio gatherings like the Glaze Table and Raku firing days.

Can I book a private event?

Yes. We host private wheel throwing and ceramic painting sessions for team building, birthdays and celebrations, at a time that suits your group. Get in touch to arrange a booking.

Can I hire space to teach my own class?

Yes. Mayfield has spaces for independent teaching, workshops, photoshoots, creative gatherings and community use. Hirers bring their own students, clients or group, and are responsible for their own participants, materials, setup and clean-up.

What spaces are available to hire?

The front studio, the technical area and the new loft (our mezzanine) are available by arrangement. The front studio is best for wheels, photography and hands-on workshops. The technical area suits wet or messy work. The loft is ideal for talks, meetings, writing groups, craft gatherings and community use.

Do external teachers need insurance?

Depending on the activity, hirers need to provide evidence of public liability insurance, and any relevant licences, qualifications or checks. We'll talk this through after you enquire, before confirming a booking.

Are NDIS participants welcome?

Yes. Mayfield welcomes people of all abilities, and participants are welcome to attend independently or with their own support worker. To get started, send us an email and we'll arrange times that suit. Mayfield is an unregistered NDIS provider, and we can invoice participants where our community activities are covered by their NDIS funding.

Still have questions?

Send us an email at studio@2mayfieldstreet.com.au, or just drop in and ask. We're always happy to help.

Good to know before you visit.