5 Things We Learned as a Studio in 2025 — And 5 Big Goals for 2026

The end of a year always invites reflection, but for us at The Pottery Hut in Mississauga, 2025 has been unlike any other. As a family-owned ceramics studio offering adult pottery classes, memberships, single-session workshops, and multi-week wheel throwing programs, we’ve had the privilege of watching our creative community grow in ways we never anticipated. We entered the year with optimism, a love for ceramics, and a deep commitment to creating a space where people could slow down, reconnect with creativity, and make something meaningful with their hands. And as we look back on the past twelve months, we can honestly say that this community taught us just as much as we taught it.

From packed Friday night pottery classes to the success of our local ceramic events, 2025 was filled with lessons—practical ones, emotional ones, and even philosophical ones about the role of craft in people’s lives. Whether you joined us for a single session, participated in our 4-week or 8-week programs, or became one of our beloved members, you played a part in shaping our year.

Below, we’re sharing the 5 biggest things we learned as a studio in 2025, followed by 5 ambitious but exciting goals we’re setting for 2026. We hope this blog gives you a deeper look into who we are, what we value, and how committed we are to growing a strong pottery community here in Mississauga.

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What We Learned in 2025

1. People Need Creative Connection More Than Ever

One of the most powerful lessons we learned this year is that creativity isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. With so many people juggling stress, demanding schedules, and digital overload, ceramics became a surprising refuge. Students repeatedly shared how their weekly wheel throwing class or hand-building session became the highlight of their routine. Many said that the simple act of touching clay helped them reset after long workdays or emotionally heavy weeks.

What struck us most was that connection—both with the clay and with other people—was often what mattered most. We watched strangers become friends over trimming tools and glaze choices. We saw families bond in our holiday workshops. We saw couples learn new ways to laugh and communicate as they attempted to center clay together (emphasis on attempted).

This lesson reinforced why our studio exists: to give Mississauga a warm, welcoming space where creativity opens the door to deeper well-being.

2. Beginners Are Braver Than They Think

If there was ever a myth we wanted to debunk in 2025, it was the idea that pottery is too difficult for beginners. Time and time again, students walked into the studio saying, “I’m not creative,” “I have no artistic talent,” or “There’s no way I’ll be good at wheel throwing.”

And then…

They surprised themselves.

A recurring theme this year was witnessing beginners—many taking adult pottery classes for the first time—push past their fears, embrace imperfection, and celebrate small victories. Centering a lump of clay became a personal accomplishment. Pulling their first cylinder became a milestone. Opening the kiln to find their finished mug brought genuine joy.

What we learned? Most people don’t need to be naturally artistic; they just need supportive instructors, patient guidance, and an environment where mistakes are part of the process. The Pottery Hut prides itself on that.

3. Community Events Matter More Than We Expected

Entering 2025, we knew we wanted to host more events. But we didn’t expect them to have the impact they did—on our studio, on local artists, and on the surrounding community. Our markets, drop-in days, specialty workshops, and ceramic showcases brought together families, collectors, hobbyists, and curious newcomers from across Mississauga and the GTA.

We learned that:

• People love seeing what local ceramic artists create.

• Market days bring a unique kind of energy that no regular class can replicate.

• Offering free entry allows more families and newcomers to discover the pottery world without hesitation.

• Supporting our members and instructors by giving them vendor opportunities strengthens the heart of our studio.

These events didn’t just grow our studio—they expanded our sense of community. We discovered that people want more than classes; they want spaces where creativity is celebrated, shared, and appreciated.

4. Memberships Create a Strong Sense of Belonging

2025 reinforced the importance of building a consistent, reliable community—not just through scheduled classes, but through memberships. Our members brought so much life to the studio. They developed their own routines, friendships, creative styles, and personal goals. Many learned advanced techniques, experimented with new glaze combinations, and even sold their work at our markets.

What we learned is that:

• Membership gives students a deeper connection to the craft.

• Independent practice time is invaluable for skill growth.

• Members uplift each other in ways that make the studio feel like a second home.

• When people invest in pottery long-term, ceramics shifts from a hobby to part of their identity.

This insight is shaping how we approach future programs and how we support students who want more than just a single-session experience.

5. Growth Must Be Intentional, Not Rushed

Finally, the biggest foundational lesson we learned is that a pottery studio needs to grow with care and purpose. More students, more classes, more events—these things are exciting, but they require thoughtful planning. We discovered that a gentle, community-first approach leads to healthier long-term growth than expanding too quickly.

This meant:

• Making sure every student still receives personal attention.

• Ensuring instructors aren’t stretched too thin.

• Keeping class sizes comfortable.

• Maintaining the warm, family-owned feeling that defines The Pottery Hut.

2025 taught us to stay rooted in our values, even when demand increases. Growth is important, but integrity is essential.

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5 Goals for The Pottery Hut in 2026

As we head into a brand-new year, we’re filled with excitement. 2026 will be a year of expansion, not just in size but in depth—deeper community, deeper creativity, and deeper opportunities for everyone who walks through our doors. Here’s what we’re aiming for:

1. Introduce More Specialized Workshops

In 2026, we want to expand our workshop offerings beyond the core wheel throwing and hand-building classes. We plan to introduce more specialty ceramics experiences, such as:

• Surface decoration workshops

• Advanced glazing intensives

• Large-scale sculpture sessions

• Seasonal pottery projects

• Functional ceramics design classes

Our goal is to create enriching experiences for both beginners and long-time pottery lovers. These workshops will offer fresh creative challenges and a chance for people to dive deeper into techniques they’ve always wanted to try.

2. Expand Our Membership Program

Memberships are at the heart of The Pottery Hut, and in 2026, we intend to expand and refine them. That includes:

• Adding more open studio hours

• Creating tiered membership options

• Offering exclusive member-only events

• Improving access to tools, glazes, and equipment

• Enhancing mentorship for aspiring ceramic artists

We want our members to feel supported on every step of their clay journey. Whether someone wants casual practice time or is preparing for their first market booth, we want to provide the resources they need.

3. Increase Our Community Outreach

In 2026, we’re aiming to bring pottery to more people across Mississauga and the GTA. Our outreach plans include:

• Partnering with schools for student pottery experiences

• Working with local organizations to host accessible ceramics workshops

• Offering pop-up pottery demos at community events

• Creating more family-friendly pottery activities

• Collaborating with local artists and small businesses

We believe ceramics should be accessible to everyone—not only those familiar with the craft. This is one of our biggest priorities in the upcoming year.

4. Continue Improving Our Studio Environment

We’re committed to making The Pottery Hut an even more inspiring, comfortable, and functional place for students and members. In 2026, our goal is to:

• Add new tools and equipment

• Improve our studio layout for workflow efficiency

• Update our glaze library with fresh colour options

• Continue investing in high-quality clay and materials

• Enhance our kiln schedule to support increasing demand

Upgrading the studio directly benefits everyone who works with ceramics, from first-day beginners to seasoned members.

5. Host Even Bigger and Better Events

In 2026, we want to build on the success of our 2025 events. Our goals include:

• Hosting seasonal ceramic markets

• Creating a large summer pottery showcase

• Offering new themed drop-in days

• Expanding vendor opportunities for local ceramicists

• Introducing holiday pottery nights and community gatherings

We want The Pottery Hut to remain a creative hub—not just a studio but a cultural space where artistry thrives. Events bring our community together, and we plan to make them an even bigger part of our identity.

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Looking Ahead With Gratitude

As we reflect on the past year, our hearts are full. The Pottery Hut has grown into a place filled with laughter, learning, and genuine connection. We have watched so many students surprise themselves, watched members develop into confident ceramic artists, and watched families create memories they will carry with them for years.

We’re endlessly grateful that people choose our studio—our family-owned small business—when they search for adult pottery classes, ceramics workshops, wheel throwing lessons, or memberships in Mississauga. The trust and enthusiasm from our community allowed us not only to teach pottery but to grow alongside you.

As you move into 2026, if you’ve been thinking about trying pottery, reconnecting with creativity, deepening your skills, or even joining our membership program, this is the perfect time. We’d love to welcome you into our studio and help you discover the joy of clay.

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Ready to Join Us in 2026?

At The Pottery Hut in Mississauga, we offer:

• Single pottery classes

• 4-week wheel throwing classes

• 8-week pottery programs

• Hand-building workshops

• Adult pottery classes

• Memberships for independent practice

Whether you’re trying ceramics for the first time or returning to a creative passion, we have a class for every level and every schedule.

We can’t wait to create with you in the new year.