From Clay to Connection
Spring Pottery Retreat
A weekend of pottery, community, and inspiration
Santa Barbara, CA
April 25 - 27, 2025
Whether you're looking to improve your skills or simply indulge your passion for pottery, this 3-day retreat is designed to inspire and invigorate.
Nestled in beautiful Santa Barbara landscapes, our retreat combines expert-led workshops and serene spaces to create the ultimate pottery experience.
The workshops have been designed for solid intermediate potters
who are ready to level up.
There will also be a limited number of spaces for advanced beginners, who will receive additional individualized attention.
When you are away from the wheel you will enjoy delectable food from local restaurants and hanging out with some new friends.
Pottery for Connections
Welcome to CobaltFire Pottery, where we believe in the magic of creating with clay.
We host immersive and intensive pottery retreats for people who are ready to up their throwing skills and share a laugh with fellow artists.
What you can look forward to
Master Potters
Learn from the Best: There will be hands-on workshops taught by skilled instructors who are local Santa Barbara artists. This retreat is for potters who are ready to go BIG and learn some new techniques.
Be Part of a Pottery Community
Come and make new friends and there will even be a “Pottery Throw Down Challenge” so you can show off your new talents!
All Inclusive
All workshops, meals and lodging are included.
Ready for Raku?
We just added it into
our spring retreat!
More details coming soon!
Retreat Schedule
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Day 1
Noon - Welcome Lunch
1pm - Workshop #1 - Warm Up and “Let’s Go Tall”
4pm - Studio Time
5:30pm - Check in to Hotel
7:30pm - Dinner in Santa Barbara
9:30pm - Ice cream -
Day 2
8am - Breakfast
9am - Workshop #2 - Master Class: “Mega Forms: The Art of Going BIG” (combining sections)
Noon - Lunch
1pm - Workshop #3 - Master Class: “Skinny Legends: Throwing Slender, Graceful Necks”4pm - Studio Time
7pm - Dinner(*workshop themes subject to change)
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Day 3
8am - Breakfast
9am - Throw Down Challenge
10am - #4 - Raku Firing!
1pm - Farewell Lunch
2pm - Trimming and Glazing Time
4:30pm - Heartfelt Good Byes
Meet Our Instructors
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Isaih Porter
MASTER CLASS INSTRUCTOR
IG - @isaih_pottery
Ready to sign up?
Please email us at cobaltfirepottery@gmail.com to reserve your spot!
*Since spots are limited, we will be giving spots in the order we receive your email. Thank you for understanding!
FAQ
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We are partnering with Maker House just a 15 minute drive north of downtown Santa Barbara and less than a 2 hour drive north of Los Angeles.
The Santa Barbara airport is about a 15 minute drive from the studio for those flying in from further locations.
For more details click the link below:
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Via Zelle (No Processing Fee)
$2,888 - Single Occupancy - 1 King Size Bed
$2,555 (price/person) - Double Occupancy - 2 Queen Size Beds
(Please sign up with a friend)$2,229 Local Pricing - Everything but the Hotel
Via Website (+Processing Fee)
$2,998 - Single Occupancy - 1 King Size Bed
$2,650 (price/person) - Double Occupancy - 2 Queen Size Beds
(Please sign up with a friend)$2,310 - Local Pricing - Everything but the Hotel
Paying via Zelle saves on processing fee.
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PLEASE NOTE - We are currently offering a limited number of scholarships to help cover a portion of the cost.
If you are interested in this retreat, we really want you to be able to join us.
Please inquire about details.
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Payment Details:
A 50% Deposit is Due Upon Registration
The 50% Remaining Balance is Due on March 25th (One Month Before the Retreat)
Refund Policy:
We understand that sometimes plans change. If you need to cancel your registration, we offer the following refund policy:
Cancellations made on or before March 25, 2025 (30 days before the retreat) will receive a full refund.*
Cancellations made after March 25, 2025 (within 1 month of the retreat) will get a 50% refund* and will forfeit 50% of the payment.
Cancellations after April 10th, 2025 (2 weeks before the retreat) will forfeit 100% of the payment.
In the unlikely event that we’re unable to host the retreat, all registered participants will receive a full refund. We understand the disappointment this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your payment, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help!
*minus the bank processing fee
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Our retreat is all inclusive, so don’t have to worry about a thing!
Included:
All Workshops
Basic pottery tools + 2 bags of clay (one fresh and one reclaimed)
All Meals - 2 Breakfasts - 3 Lunches - 2 Dinners - Fun Snacks and Desserts
Accommodations - 2 Nights
Retreat Apron
*Please note alcohol is not included.
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This retreat is intended for solid intermediate wheel potters, who can center 5 pounds, comfortably.
There will also be limited spots available for advanced beginners, who can center 3 pounds, comfortably. We will have a special instructor to help guide this group.
(Since there a limited number of spots for the advanced beginner group, please book early.)
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Get ready to level up!
We will focus on throwing big forms (5 to 10 pounds), from sectionals to collaring!
There will be individualized attention for all potters, in the throwing workshops. Let’s get you to that next level.
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You will be able to bisque up to 5 pieces during the retreat.
Once fired, we will arrange to get them back to you with meeting spot in LA.
From the raku fire, you will also take home your gorgeous art!
You will need to bring already bisqued pieces for the raku. More details to come closer to retreat.
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We will have basic tools for you! If you prefer your own tools, you're welcome to bring your own!
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For your accomodations, we have partnered with the Hampton Inn in Goleta. It is just a few miles from Maker House.
For more details clink link below:
Photos from Ojai Fall Retreat
Meet your hosts!
CobaltFire Pottery was founded by Joy and Stewart, who met in a pottery class and bonded over their love for throwing clay.
Recognizing the growing interest in pottery, they saw the perfect opportunity to host pottery retreats. They created CobaltFire to give potters a chance to dive into intensive pottery experiences while connecting with other like-minded artists.
Joy and Stewart dream of hosting clay retreats all over California, with plans to eventually use portable wheels so people can create pottery right in the heart of nature. Join us and become part of our vibrant community where creativity thrives, and connections are made.
We can’t wait to see what you’ll create!
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Tech Consultant by trade, Potter by passion!
If you want to know more, click here!
IG - @sweetyang.studio
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You may have seen his name as a Television Co-Producer on several TV shows including "How I Met Your Mother" and "How I Met Your Father."