When researching ceramics workshops in Kaunas, I thought about my friendship with clay. Clay is said to have memory, so how would it remember our meetings? Several years have passed from the first time at the Vilnius Youth Center, where I worked with clay together with the primary school children (I was 27 years old, and they referred to me as aunt), to the purposefully studied craft, and they were full of discoveries, shards, cracks and playing with the new medium.
Ceramics is fascinating because it combines many different things. All the elements – fire, earth, air, and water – meet during the creation process. Ceramics can be functional but also sculptural and monumental. The creation process is meditative, measuring and expanding the limits of one’s patience, especially when a piece of clay falls off the wheel again or cracks. I’m not surprised when people, after moving their hands from the keyboard to a piece of clay, admit that it is very refreshing and therapeutic. Do you want to try or discover new forms of friendship with clay? I have prepared a short list of ceramics studios working in Kaunas. These, by no means, are not all possible ceramics workshops that operate in Kaunas, but I do not doubt that you will find the one among these where you will sculpt many beautiful memories.
JUJU Ceramics
Kaunakiemio St. 5, Kaunas
From 22 euro
A cozy ceramics studio was established by Justina Vaitkienė in 2022 in a massive building with thick walls and high ceilings. According to the ceramist, this is her second home. The services in this studio vary: you can try sculpting clay with your hands, and glazing, and it is also one of the few places in Kaunas where you can regularly attend wheel throwing classes. The ceramicist also accepts homemade products to be fired in the studio. If you visit the workshop, you will find some of Justina’s works, some of which you can also recognize in several cafes in Kaunas.
People say: It is the most charming spot for making ceramics in Kaunas. The teacher and studio environment are elemental, cozy, and inspiring creativity. It’s such a warm feeling to be back, everyone feels welcomed like an old friend. The most fun thing is that it is always full of diverse people! (Deimantė Saveikytė)
Studio Tyle
I. Kanto St. 25, Kaunas
From 25 euro
The studio was founded three years ago after Vaida Vaičiūnaitė returned from Holland. The ceramicist’s works are functional and long-lasting, made as stoneware, and you can find them in many Kaunas restaurants. At the bottom of any dish, you can see a Studio Tyle mark. The studio welcomes everyone who wants to get acquainted with clay. In the two-hour-long workshop, you will model and glaze your creations with materials that the ceramicist uses to make her works, so durability is guaranteed. For Vaida, the most important thing in teaching ceramics is that people make something they are proud of and enjoy, rather than hiding it deep in the closet. Reservations are available online.
Rojaus molis
K. Donelaičio St. 33, Kaunas
From 30 euro
This studio with a romantic name (paradise clay, ed.) invites you to come to classes and enjoy the process and the unevenness of the clay, feel the shape, and experience the therapeutic-meditative benefits without focusing on the final result. The founder of the studio, Raminta Keršytė, will help you out in this process. You will need at least two sessions to make an object, but you can also buy a subscription for classes or sign up for a workshop dedicated to modeling a specific object. You can celebrate your birthday or have a bachelorette party at the studio and visit it with your co-workers.
People say: I’ve always wanted to try it, but I had doubts about my abilities. It turns out that a good, patient, and friendly teacher can bring out a talent in you! I liked everything about it: a good and convenient location in the center, a cozy environment for classes, and a large selection of molding and glaze colors. (Greta Stakelytė)
Šviesos 16
Šviesos St. 16, Kaunas
From 20 euro
The founder of the studio (light 16, ed.), Ieva Bertašiūtė, who holds a doctorate in arts, says that clay can be turned into anything you want, you just have to try. And during the class, you must immerse yourself in the plasticity of clay being in the here and now. You can come to the studio for several lessons or purchase a subscription. The schedule for the classes is announced in advance, usually, the sculpting takes place in the mornings and evenings. During the session that lasts an hour and a half, you will shape your object manually, and during the second session, you will be able to glaze it. Ieva’s handmade products can also be purchased in the studio.
People say: I have only been to several classes, but I must say that the atmosphere in Ieva’s studio is great. You can work on your own or call Ieva for help (or have a fun chat). I’ve already noticed how nice is the community that is formed in and around Šviesos 16. (Rūta Cyrolytė)
Murdeko
Raudondvario Rd. 76, Kaunas
From 25 euro
This studio is well known for its cute mushroom-shaped Christmas tree decorations and other home decor details, but experienced ceramicist Danutė Murauskienė also welcomes everyone who wants to try sculpting. She organizes classes for children, adults, events, or groups as well as themed workshops. In the studio, you can get acquainted with incising, marking, and wheel throwing. It will take at least two lessons to create an object.
People say: I had a sculpting lesson with Danutė. In addition to the knowledge gained, I also had my mood boosted, and the final result amounts to two wonderful clay objects. I’m definitely going to attend again; I already have ideas for a new project. (Laurynas Zinkevičius)
Keravi ceramic design studio
Radvilėnų Rd. 1B, Kaunas
From 20 euro
In this studio, ceramicist Viktorija Radionova organizes group classes as many as five times a week. Group, birthday, and bachelorette or other type of workshops can be booked in advance on selected days. You can also learn wheel-throwing or making porcelain objects. By the way, Keravi studio offers probably the widest array of plaster molds, which is a great opportunity to try this type of sculpting as well. You will require two lessons to produce something.
People say: First and foremost, I liked the Keravi studio because of its founder Viktorija. Her patience and calmness allow you to make mistakes and try again without any stress. I was able to completely relax and immerse myself in the process. Convenient location, free parking, and a new building are equally important. (Vaida Ivaniukaitė)
Oak Ceramics
V. Putvinskio St. 47-1, Kaunas
From 25 euro
The name of the studio came from the surname of its founder, Milda Ąžuolė (oak is ąžuolas in Lithuanian, ed.). In addition to making home decor elements, the ceramicist has even created a fashion collection from clay and presented it at the Fashion Passport 2023 event in Sarajevo. Lessons are held in small groups twice a week and last for one and a half hours. At least two sessions are required to create an object. You will be sculpting during the first session and glazing during the second. You can also celebrate birthdays, bachelorette parties or other occasions in the studio.
People say: After visiting the studio, I got the urge to sculpt and I’m looking forward to the next lesson. (Agnė Rimienė)
She’s a wonderful teacher, and sculpting is a great therapy that helped me get back to myself. (Guoda Gelažauskaitė)
Keramikos akademija
Žemaičių St. 31, Kaunas
From 14 euros for children and 22 for adults
This studio, founded by Kristina Alšauskienė, offers a particularly wide range of activities, such as educational activities, seminars, themed events, and workshops. Adults, children, and groups are taught how to work with clay and their website offers a blog about ceramics. The new premises of the studio are also rented out for creative events. Keramikos akademija also sells creative kits, so you can try decorating a cup or creating a plaster relief at home. The duration of the lessons is two hours, and both beginners and experienced ceramicists are welcome.
People say: A wonderful teacher, cozy place, I recommend it to everyone who wants to spend their free time differently!
(Edvinas Lipčius)
Let’s repeat loudly for a hundred times how great it is to have Keramikos akademija.
(Audra Dagelienė)
Ąžuolyno Library
Radastų St. 2, Kaunas
Free of charge
Recently, after the reconstruction, the library gained a space for creative inventions that also offer clay molding and sculpting workshops. As sculptor and organizer of the library’s educational activities Paulius Malickas said, sculpting inspires creativity and playfulness, and the workshop aims to teach people about clay, the basic principles of sculpting, and three-dimensional space. During the class you will be working with clay that does not require firing.
Such a creation can be molded back into a clump, shattered with a hammer when dry, and processed into a new object or taken home. For those who want to have a more durable object, it is suggested to sculpt from air-hardening white clay. Sculpting classes are planned to be held on the last Thursday of every month. Schedules and registration forms are published on the library’s Facebook account.
“People really like to get their hands dirty with clay, it’s very therapeutic and helps deal with the overwhelming sterility that constantly surrounds us,” Paulius, who conducts the educational activities, said.
Those who want to deepen their knowledge in the field of ceramics and learn the craft of ceramics can choose from two academic institutions in Kaunas.
Kaunas Faculty of the Vilnius Academy of Arts
Muitinės St. 4, Kaunas
The cost of studies depends on the admission results
The academy offers a study program called 3D Art Objects: Glass, Sculpture, Ceramics. This program combines as many as three fields of study: glass art and design, applied ceramics, and sculpture, but during the studies, it is possible to specialize in one field, combining it with other arts. The study description states that it is “a unique bachelor’s program in Lithuania that helps integrate digital technologies into the creation of spatial art objects.” The studies last four years and in the end, you gain a Bachelor of Arts degree.
People say: The academy has excellent professors. I receive interesting and useful comments and knowledge. We have a wide range of directions and possibilities; we can do a lot of things: design, sculpt, draw, and wheel throw. (Tauras Stuogis)
Here, I encounter different points of view and can use different technologies. While studying, I am looking for answers to my own art-related questions. (Jonas Rakutis)
Kaunas School of Applied Arts
V. Krėvės Ave. 112, Kaunas
The cost of studies depends on the admission results
This vocational school offers ceramics studies, after which a vocational training diploma is issued. The studies, which last for two years, provide theoretical and practical basics of ceramic production, including clay processing, firing, throwing, and decorating. The curriculum also includes internships.
People say: I didn’t have high expectations for the studies, but they were amazing. I liked the modern equipment and spaces, and the biggest pride of the school is the teachers, who are not only high-level specialists but also wonderful people. I can contact my teachers at any time even after my studies. (Alina Kostyuchenko)
