From Clay to Connection
Spring Pottery Retreat
A weekend of pottery, community, and inspiration
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, hands-on studio time, and serene spaces to create the ultimate pottery experience.
The workshops have been designed for solid intermediate potters who are ready to roll up their sleeves, level up and learn from local master ceramicists.
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.
Santa Barbara, CA
April 25 - 27, 2025
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 to take their throwing skills to the to next level.
Be Part of a Pottery Community
Come and make new friends with fellow clay enthusiasts. There will even by a “Pottery Throw Down Challenge” so you can show off your new talents and have fun!
All Inclusive
All workshops, meals and
lodging are included.
Retreat Schedule
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Day 1
Noon - Welcome Lunch
1pm - Workshop #1 - Warm Up and “Let’s Start Going 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 “Let’s Go Even Bigger”
Noon - Lunch
1pm - Workshop #3 - Master Class “Combining Forms” and “Skinny 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 - “Go from Bad Glazing to Amazing”
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
Do you LOVE throwing but HATE glazing?
We have a special workshop planned just for you.
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FAQ
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We are partnering with Maker House Pottery Studio, a 24,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility, in Goleta, California. It is 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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$2,998 - Single Occupancy - 1 King Size Bed
$2,650 (price/person) - Double Occupancy - Shared Room - 2 Queen Size Beds
(Please sign up with a friend)$2,310 - Local Pricing - Everything but the Hotel
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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Included:
All Workshops
Basic pottery tools + 2 bags of clay (one fresh and one reclaimed)
Meals - 2 Breakfasts - 3 Lunches - 2 Dinners - Fun Snacks and Desserts
Accommodations - 2 Nights
Retreat Apron
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This retreat is intended for solid intermediate wheel potters, who can center 5 pounds, comfortably.
There will also be five 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) and learning new glazing techniques.
Maker House has a really advanced glazing studio and some wonderful glazing instructors to help you add the perfect finishing touch to your pieces.
There will be individualized attention for all potters, in the throwing workshops. Let’s get you to that next level.
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As a participant in the CobaltFire Pottery Retreat, you’ll leave with more than just wonderful memories and new friends.
Each potter will have the opportunity to trim up to 5 pieces during the retreat in our Cone 10 studio.
Once these 5 pieces have been bisque fired, we will arrange to get them back to you.
You will also be able to glaze and glaze fire 3 pieces. You will need to bring bisque-ware from home for this. (Additional experimental bisque-ware will be included and available for you to practice on.)
If you’d like to glaze your retreat pieces at Maker House, you will have the option to return to Santa Barbara and glaze them for an additional cost.
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We will have basic tools for you! If you prefer your own tools, you're welcome to bring your own!
2 bags of clay will be provided as part of the retreat. One bag will be fresh and one bag will be recycled.
Clay will be available for purchase on site for $30/bag (excluding porcelain).
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Get ready to get muddy, so wear whatever you're comfortable in!
You will also receive a customized retreat apron!
You will have time to go back to the hotel to change before dinner in Santa Barbara, if you wish to dress up!
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This has become a CobaltFIre Retreat favorite.
A throw down challenge is an exciting way to show off your new skills and share a laugh with your new friends.
There will 3 or 4 fun throwing challenges. For example - Can you make a bowl in 3 minutes while blind folded?
Let’s see what our judges will come up with this time? :-)
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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:
Why Cobalt Fire?
Photos from Ojai Fall Retreat
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!
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."