Clay is Community
In the Open Pottery Studio (OPS) creativity takes shape in your hands! Our pottery studio is a vibrant community space fully equipped for ceramic exploration. Whether you're a seasoned ceramicist or a beginner looking to have some fun, OPS is the perfect place for you.
THE STUDIO
  • Equipment: two pottery rooms with a total of 14 pottery wheels, two kilns, two slab rollers, an extruder, large work tables, two wedging tables, basic potter/ceramic tools, and storage lockers assigned to you.
  • Professional Assistance: Our experienced volunteers and trained ceramic technician are on hand to assist and guide you through your creative process.
  • Firing Services: We use high-fire clay and fire to cone 6. Our technician will fire your creations, ensuring your masterpieces come to life.​
OPS Membership Benefits
  • Inclusive Access: Enjoy access to pottery studio tools, equipment, and resources. 
  • Firing Fees Included: All firing fees are covered by your membership.
  • Storage Space: Access to one (1) locker for your convenience. Additional locker space is available for purchase.​

Friends of the Dahl Membership
Friends of the Dahl members enjoy exclusive perks like discounted access to classes and workshops! Not a member yet? Join today and take advantage of all the benefits!

Membership Cost

  • Each monthly membership is $50 per person plus tax.
  • Discounts are available for Friends of the Dahl and OPS Volunteers.
  • OPS Memberships auto-renew monthly. For example, if you start on the 3rd of the month, it will renew on the 3rd of the following month.​
  • To cancel your membership, contact Education at [email protected] or 605-394-4101

JOIN THE OPEN POTTERY STUDIO TODAY

NEW TO POTTERY

If you are new to pottery, you must complete either Introduction to Wheel Throwing or Introduction to Handbuilding.
CLICK HERE TO SEE CLASSES

PAST MEMBER

If you've taken classes or been enrolled in OPS within the last year, you can enroll in the studio today.

EXPERIENCED

If you have experience in other studios or have taken classes somewhere else you can enroll today and the RCAC team will help get you started in OPS.

Open Pottery Studio Schedule

The Kansas City Street Entrance is open Monday - Friday from 10am-4pm.
OPS hours are flexible and reflect times when OPS Volunteers and RCAC staff are available to supervise the pottery studio.
​OPS Volunteers' schedules vary and are subject to change.
It is strongly recommended that OPS participants check the OPS calendar above prior to coming into the studio.
*Studio availability is subject to sudden change.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE RAPID CITY ARTS COUNCIL

The Rapid City Arts Council staff and Board of Directors thanks the City of Rapid City for continuously supporting our mission and the arts. The generosity of our many volunteers, donors, and members drives our mission to champion inclusive, innovative and inspiring arts opportunities to enrich the communities we serve.  Additional support comes from the South Dakota Community Foundation, Black Hills Community Foundation, and the South Dakota Arts Council with funds from the State of South Dakota through the Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Dahl Arts Center is a municipal facility of the City of Rapid City and is managed by the Rapid City Arts Council on behalf of the Rapid City community.
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