Make and decorate a fun pottery project with our experienced instructors! We offer handbuilding pottery classes, workshops and camps for school-aged kids and families. Our pottery technicians will glaze and fire your creations and we will contact you when they are ready for pick up.

Family Classes: Explore the world of clay together! Family classes are designed to bring families together to create masterpieces with clay. To participate one adult is required to accompany 1-2 children and participate in the making of the project.  We offer classes for school-aged kids 5+yrs and 7+yrs at Parkgate Community Centre & Memorial Community Recreation Centre.  Classes usually run one day per week for 6-10 weeks.

School Age: Kids and Clay Classes are offered for school-aged kids aged 6-8 at Delbrook Community Recreation Centre and Parkgate Community Centre, and kids aged 9-12 at Delbrook, Parkgate and Memorial Community Recreation Centre. Classes usually run one day per week for 6-10 weeks.

School Age Part-Day Camps are offered during school breaks and summer. We offer pottery-only camps which focus on handbuilding and decorating small projects. We also offer pottery-combo camps, where campers have the opportunity to create clay projects and do another activity, such as swimming or cooking. Camps typically run every day of the week for part of the day.

School Age Workshops are offered at Delbrook Community Recreation Centre for kids 8-12yrs. In these workshops, kids and preteens get a taste of handbuilding and decorating a fun clay project. These workshops usually run for one 2.5 hour class period.  

Learn to throw pottery on the wheel, create through handbuilding, and finish your objects through decorating and glazing. These classes are great for both beginners and those with lots of experience with clay. Have ideas and inspiration? Bring them with you and your instructor can help you add your personal touch to your project. Youth classes are offered at Delbrook Community Recreation Center and Parkgate Community Center and typically run one day per week, for 10-12 weeks.  

Beginner: Get an introduction to creating with clay and the processes needed to work well in a pottery studio. You will build skills in handbuilding, throwing on the wheel, as well as decorating and glazing. Adult classes are appropriate for complete beginners and those who have taken a few classes. Classes (6-12 people) run one day per week for 6-12 weeks (season dependent). They are offered at Delbrook Community Recreation Centre and Parkgate Community Centre.  

Intermediate and Advanced Classes: These courses build on beginner skills and allow you to grow your abilities in clay. You will learn more advanced techniques in throwing and handbuilding, such as making lidded pots, adding handles, and finishing functional wares. It is recommended you have at least 2-3 beginner classes or be able to throw a 4-5 inch cylinder consistently before joining an intermediate or advanced class. Classes (6-12 people) run one day per week for 6-12 weeks (season dependent).  

Throwing-based courses are offered at Delbrook Community Recreation Centre and Parkgate Community Centre, whereas handbuilding-only courses are offered at Memorial Community Recreation Centre. 

NVRC does not offer make-up classes for missed pottery classes.  Our pottery classes are usually full, containing the maximum number of students that instructors can reasonably attend to and space can accommodate. This is in line with other services NVRC provides.

Occasional, specialty pottery workshops are offered ranging from 1-4 weeks. We will work with you to offer a workshop that fits with your group’s needs, including organizing special supports through our Access Services team. Please inquire by reaching out to pottery@nvrc.ca.  

NVRC is moving to a seasonal pass model for independent pottery studio time in July 2025

The key change to both studios is a shift from a membership model for studio time, which primarily serves the same people year to year, to a seasonal passholder model that provides an equal chance for all community members, with appropriate levels of NVRC pottery experience, to purchase a pass four times a year. 

Fairness and equal access are the primary reasons for the change, which reflects NVRC’s mandate as a public sector entity.

This shift will be implemented in July 2025, with registration opening in April 2025.
 

To provide ample notice, the changes were  announced at a series of information sessions in December 2024: 

• Dec 11, 2024 - Parkgate Community Centre (1-2:30pm)
• Dec 12, 2024 - Parkgate Community Centre (6-7:30pm)
• Dec 13, 2024 - Delbrook Community Recreation Centre (11am-12:30pm)
• Dec 14, 2024 - Delbrook Community Recreation Centre (2-3:30pm)

December 2024 information session fact sheet & questions-and-answers

What we heard

At the December 2024 information sessions and in the months since, NVRC has heard valuable concerns, questions and feedback from studio members , as well as individuals on the membership waitlists, students in NVRC pottery programs and other interested community members. Key issues included accessibility and equity, community and artistic values, desire for input into NVRC pottery decisions, studio capacity, storage and operations, and potential alternative solutions.

We appreciate the time and thoughtfulness that went into providing this feedback. We know that this shift will be difficult for those who have a studio membership, and we acknowledge that it represents a significant change. We hope current members, those on the studio waitlists, and pottery students will choose to participate in pottery at NVRC under the new model.

Read the full NVRC Pottery Studio Changes Feedback Summary

Summary report sections

• Project Overview – pages 3 to 4
• What We Heard – pages 5 to 6
• Next Steps: What We’re Doing – pages 6 to 8
• Communication & Feedback – pages 8 to 9
• Expanded Feedback Summary & Responses (by category) – pages 9 to 39

What we're doing 

We’re changing the registration process
We heard clear concerns about the proposed online first-come, first-served registration system for seasonal passes, particularly for those who may not have strong computer skills or reliable internet access. 

We have changed to a new lottery-based registration system for the seasonal studio passes, to give people more time and flexibility in when and how they register, while ensuring the process is fair and impartial. The lottery has two steps. First, interested people submit their names (online, in person or over the phone) to a list, then a computer program randomly assigns people to a pass or the waitlist. 

Lottery registration for the summer 2025 seasonal pass session (beginning in July 2025) will be open from April 7 -27, 2025 and the lottery will run in May 2025. Please see "Summer 2025 seasonal pass: key dates & how to register" below for more information and instructions. 

Meetings with studio users 
We will be holding in-person meetings in April to discuss the implementation of the seasonal studio passes. Please see "April 14-15, 2025 pottery studio meetings" below for details and registration. 

Clear communication with current members throughout the transition 
We provided a detailed final firing schedule in late March 2025 to help members at Parkgate and Delbrook plan their final works under the membership model. All updates related to the transition will be posted on this page and in the pottery studios. 

You’re invited to an in-person meeting to learn about registration and studio operations for the new seasonal pass model, and share your feedback on clay types, glaze colours, and future program offerings. Staff will also be available to help attendees register for the seasonal pass lottery.

Register to attend a meeting:

•    Mon, Apr 14 (6-7:30pm) | Parkgate Community Centre | Register
•    Tue, Apr 15 (1:30-3pm) | Delbrook Community Recreation Centre | Register

The content of both meetings will be the same, so you can choose whichever one is most convenient for you.

Meeting agenda: 

How the lottery registration works

What to expect from the seasonal pass system

• Required studio orientations
• Timelines and firing deadlines
• Managing kiln and storage space

Studio operations & programming brainstorming

• Workshops, skill development & idea sharing
• Clay types
• Glaze colours

The Summer 2025 seasonal studio pass will give passholders access to independent studio time at either Delbrook or Parkgate pottery studio from July 9 to October 4, 2025.

Registration for the seasonal studio pass will be done through a lottery process. This will give eligible studio users more time and flexibility to register by their preferred registration method (phone, in-person or online), while ensuring the process is fair and impartial.      

How to register 

1. Between April 7-27, 2025 enter your name to the lottery list for either the Delbrook or Parkgate pottery studio (you must choose one studio). You can enter online, by calling 604-987-7529 or by speaking to front desk staff at an NVRC facility. 
   Enter the seasonal pass lottery online
2. After the lottery closes staff will confirm that all registrants meet the eligibility requirements (see below) to get a seasonal pass. This will take about two weeks.  
3. Then, the registration software will run the lottery and randomly assign registrants to a seasonal pass or to the waitlist for their selected studio. This lottery process is carried out instantly and automatically, ensuring complete impartiality.
4. On May 12, 2025, look out for an email from NVRC with your lottery results. This email will tell you whether you got a seasonal pass or are on the waitlist.
5. If you get a pass, you’ll have until 5 pm on Monday, May 19 (Victoria Day) to confirm your spot. To confirm, you will need to submit payment (we’ll provide instructions with your lottery results) and signup for a studio orientation (see dates below). If you don’t confirm by May 19, your spot will go to the person at the top of the waitlist.  

Seasonal passes will cost $231.54 per season ($77.18 per month) in 2025. For help registering, read the step-by-step guide  or attend one of the April information meetings (see above).

Gradual increase of passholders

In the Summer 2025 season, there will be 40 studio passes available at Delbrook and 50 at Parkgate. NVRC will gradually increase the number of passholders at the studios each season over the course of the first year (July 2025-July 2026), so we can monitor kiln and studio space, as well as make certain studio modifications (such as new shelving) to support a larger volume of works in progress. We are working towards a target of 60-75 seasonal pass holders per location per season, with registration occurring four times per year.

Eligibility requirements for the pottery studio seasonal pass

To be eligible for a seasonal pass, you must: 

• Be 19+ years old.
• Be able to work independently in the studio.
• Be a previous member of the Parkgate or Delbrook pottery studio, or have completed at least two pottery classes at NVRC within the past three years.

Pottery experience from outside NVRC is not accepted.

Studio orientations

All passholders will be required to participate in a studio orientation before the start of the season to confirm they can work independently in the pottery studio, ensuring the health and safety of all users. Orientations for the summer 2025 season will be held from June 21-26, 2025. Passholders must attend one of the sessions listed below to get access to the studio.  

Orientations for Parkgate passholders:
•    Sat, June 21, 9:30am-12pm 
•    Tues, June 24, 1-3:30pm
•    Thurs, June 26, 6-8:30pm

Orientations for Delbrook passholders:
•    Sat, June 21, 1-3:30pm 
•    Tues, June 24, 6-8:30pm 
•    Thurs, June 26, 1-3:30pm 
 

Fall 2025 seasonal pass dates

The Fall 2025 seasonal pass session will run from October 8, 2025 to January 3, 2026. Registration and orientation dates will be shared on this page in July. 
 

Until the end of June 2025, we will continue to offer pottery studio memberships at Delbrook Community Recreation Centre and Parkgate Community Centre. Studio memberships are for people who want to work on their own projects in a positive, relaxed and non-instructional environment.  

Cost: Membership costs $77.18 per month (Jan 2025 rates). Studio membership is currently full at both studios and the waitlists are closed.  

Studio times for members

Parkgate pottery studio times for members: 

• March 31-June 20, 2025

Delbrook pottery studio times for members: 

• April 7-June 20, 2025

Starting in July 2025, NVRC will be transitioning to a seasonal pass model for independent studio time. See “2025 Pottery studio changes” above for more information. 

Starting in July 2025, we will be offering Pottery Studio Seasonal Passes at Delbrook Community Recreation Centre and Parkgate Community Centre. The seasonal pass will give you access to the studio for three months during posted seasonal pass drop-in times.  

The seasonal pass is for those who want to work on their own projects in a positive, relaxed and non-instructional environment. It is not suitable for production potters, and clay must be purchased through NVRC.  

Seasonal passes will be offered on an approximately three-month cycle: July to September (summer), October to December (fall), January to March (winter), April to June (spring). Timing may vary slightly from season to season, and dates will be announced before registration opens for each season.  

Seasonal pass requirements: To be eligible to register for a seasonal pass, you must:

• Have completed at least two NVRC pottery programs within the past three years
• Be familiar with facility equipment and the techniques of pottery  
• Be able to work independently in the studios ensuring health and safety for all  
• Be 19+ years of age

Registration process: A  lottery-based registration system will be implemented for seasonal studio passes. This system gives all registrants up to three weeks to enter their information online, by phone or in person at our facilities. Then, once staff have confirmed that registrants meet the requirements listed above, the registration software will randomly select eligible registrants and notify all entrants of their status. 

This lottery process is carried out instantly and automatically by the computer system, ensuring complete impartiality. Successful registrants will have a designated number of days after they receive notification to confirm their registration by submitting payment. Those who are not selected will be placed on a waitlist in random order and notified if a spot becomes available.

Registration dates: Lottery registration will be open from April 7 -27, 2025 for the summer 2025 seasonal pass session (beginning in July 2025). NVRC will run the lottery in May 2025, at least one week before registration for summer pottery programs.  

Step-by-step instructions for how to register will be posted here in early April 2025.

Orientation process: Pass holders will be required to attend an orientation at the studio they have registered for. The purpose of the orientation is to confirm that participants can consistently and safely use equipment, maintain cleanliness and demonstrate the necessary skills to work independently in the studio. If someone is unable to work independently, the pass will go to the next person on that season’s waitlist. 

Cost: Current membership fees for 2025 are set at $77.18 per month. The seasonal studio pass fees will be announced in spring 2025 and will be in line with the per-month cost of a studio membership. As with all NVRC fees and charges, seasonal pass fees will be subject to periodic review and updates. 

 This large and bright pottery studio, located on the top floor of the Delbrook Community Recreation Centre, is equipped with wheels, slab rollers, many glazes and four kilns. We fire to cone 6 and offer the use of the following clay bodies: M370, M340, M390, B-Mix, and P300.

Studio photos:

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This cozy pottery studio is nestled in the trees on the ground floor of the Parkgate Community Centre. It is equipped with wheels, slab rollers, many glazes and three kilns. We fire to cone 6 and offer the use of the following clay bodies: M370, M340, M340S, M390, B-Mix, and P300.

Studio photos:

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This studio is a shared art space with an adjacent pottery and kiln room featuring pottery storage, two kilns and a slab roller. Only handbuilding courses are offered here. 

Studio photos:

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The Delbrook and Parkgate studios, as well as the Memorial art studio* are able to accommodate wheelchairs or other mobility aids for people wanting to try handbuilding with pottery.  If other accommodations are needed for a person to participate, we recommend reaching out to pottery@nvrc.ca, so we can assist you. 

*To access the Memorial art studio when using a wheelchair or other mobility aid, please enter through the doors from the parking lot adjacent to the Capilano Room. 

We have a strong history of volunteering in our pottery studio to help support our adult and school-aged kids’ classes, provide accessibility support and help with duties around the pottery studio. We have volunteer opportunities for persons aged 14yrs+ to help with the school-aged kids’ classes and camps, and persons 18yrs+ to help with the adult classes. We require volunteers to have pottery experience and understand pottery processes, so you can support others’ learning.  

If you would like to volunteer at Delbrook or Memorial Community Recreation Centres, please apply through NVRC’s volunteer program.

If you would like to volunteer at Parkgate, please apply through the Parkgate Society. 

For questions and inquiries please contact the front desks at the Parkgate, Delbrook or Memorial Centres, or email pottery@nvrc.ca