A family of handmade snowmen, a tree luminary, and hand-sculpted ornaments: Corgi Clay Art Center’s classes this month are focusing on the holidays. Corgi Clay has classes available for a wide range of ages and abilities, from teens learning to spin clay for the first time to advanced sculptors learning detailed techniques. Owner Deb Balestreri said the center is “Stafford County’s first vibrant, creative community that offers ceramics and other art classes, firing services, artist residencies, teaching and exhibition opportunities, and memberships for potters.”
Balestreri, a University of Mary Washington alum, opened Corgi Clay in 2020 after serving as the Director of Visual Arts Education at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. The center is hosting a holiday marketplace through January, featuring unique artwork, apparel, pottery, and more.
Balestreri said pumpkin pie and giving gifts are among her favorite holiday activities. We asked her for a few gift ideas:
- A host? A cake platter/display to show off your baked goods
- A teacher? Classes for yourself to further your own education
- A grandparent? A family workshop you can take with your grandkids
- A child? A kid’s class in clay sculpture
- A teen? A teen class on how to use the potter’s wheel
- A friend? A t-shirt from our shop, a handmade mug and a set of earrings or a cool print from one of our artists.
- A boss? A framed print or serene painting
In addition to weekly clay classes, Corgi Clay offers private classes and firing services for more advanced clay artists. They also have a donation program to “Send a Vet to Class.” The concept honors Balestreri’s late father, Major David George Yarrington Sr. (USMC retired), by covering class tuition for Active Duty, Retired, Veteran, or Reserve military members through a donation-based fund. Contributions, starting at $5, are anonymous and support military members who opt into the program during registration.
Corgi Clay Art Center is located at 15 Tech Parkway. The center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Sundays, they’re open from 12 to 6 p.m.
