Anthony Shapiro Studio is a light-filled and spacious studio uniquely located in the trendy and artistic Harrington precinct in the Cape Town City Bowl. With square footage to spare, the Studio has been designed to provide the perfect environment for anyone attracted to making with clay – from the curious and inexperienced to the seasoned veteran potters.
Equipped with fifteen electric pottery wheels for throwing, twenty workspaces for hand-building, a state-of-the-art slab roller, and dedicated spaces for wedging and glazing, the Studio is a spacious sanctuary for students. With five electric kilns on-site, the turnaround time for work is the fastest in the city. A notable highlight is the wide variety of glazes, and moulds kept on-site to allow for almost any creative idea to be brought to life!
Classes are led by award-winning potter Anthony Shapiro, Bongani Zuma and Zelda Webber. Together these expert potters are available to guide each student individually, sharing their enthusiasm and passion whilst helping each student develop and advance their skills.
With square footage to spare, Anthony Shapiro Studio is the city’s most prominent and best-equipped pottery studio, providing an idyllic environment to come together to learn and make.
ABOUT
Anthony Shapiro made his first ceramic at age 13. 43 years later, he is a multiple award-winning potter recognised as one of the leading potters in South Africa. Over his four-decade-long career, he has become well known as a prolific creator and maker, retailer and gallerist, curator and teacher. His firm belief that ‘makers must make’ is essential to his love of pottery.
In 1988 Anthony started as an apprentice with the pottery doyenne Kim Sacks whilst simultaneously learning the art of hand-building with Charmaine Renzon. During his apprenticeship, Kim asked Anthony to teach her classes when she travelled. Immediately Anthony fell in love with the process of teaching others to make and his passion evolved into a love of the space teaching created, the community it formed and the joy he experienced with his students.
For Anthony making is a way of being in the world, a calling and a vocation.
In 1989 Anthony took up a position as the pottery teacher at Ernest Ullman Recreation Centre in Morningside Johannesburg. Within months he had transformed the Studio into a hive of creativity, home to over 70 students. Throughout this time, Anthony maintained his dedication to his own making. Consequently, his work has been sold in some of the most exclusive retailers locally and internationally. However, no matter how busy his production schedule Anthony was equally dedicated to his teaching. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, his team knew that he was not available to anyone other than his students.
Visit the studio for a collection of contemporary South African ceramics, open during business hours and during teaching time. Basically shop whenever we are there.
CLASSES
Anthony Shapiro Studio is the city’s most prominent and best-equipped pottery studio in Cape Town. The welcoming studio environment provides an idyllic setting for beginners and experienced potters to come together to learn and make.
Classes are held weekly for those interested in using the wheel and hand-building. The classes are mixed ability, allowing students to connect, learn and gain inspiration from one another. Almost every class is facilitated by Anthony Shapiro, with support from his team of expert potters. Students are encouraged to come to class with ideas of what they want to build or throw, which Anthony and his team will then guide them to make.
Each of our instructors is prepared to help you get started with the basics and guide you in developing your pottery style.
Weekly hand building and wheelwork pottery classes for all levels, from the curious and inexperienced to the seasoned veteran potters!
When enquiring about availability in any of our pottery classes, please choose the class day and time that fits you. Please see our FAQ for information regarding missed classes.
The Studio is available for special events, including birthdays and group or team functions. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch with anthony@anthonyshapiro.co.za
Enquire about availability
Hand and wheel work ceramic classes
Beginner to advanced
79 Roeland Street Cape Town
Mondays 17h30 – 20h30
Tuesdays 09h30 – 12h30 + 17h30 – 20h30
Wednesdays 09h30 – 12h30 + 17h30 – 20h30
Thursdays 09h30 – 12h30 + 17h30 – 20h30
Saturdays 09h30 – 12h30
R2200/month
Includes 1 class/week
Clay, Firing & Some Glazes
Drop-In Enquiry
These classes are available for anyone wanting to explore their creative side (space permitting).
Designed for beginners, experienced potters, locals and international visitors; you will have access to our fully equipped studio, including pottery wheels, hand-building tables, and a diverse selection of glazes.
Class times:
Mondays: 17h30 – 20h30
Tuesdays: 09h30 – 12h30 + 17h30 – 20h30
Wednesdays: 09h30 – 12h30 + 17h30 – 20h30
Thursdays: 09h30 – 12h30 + 17h30 – 20h30
Saturdays: 09h30 – 12h30
Drop-in class fee: R1200
Materials included: Clay, moulds, firing and glazing of works made at drop-in class.
Studio Memberships
For those looking to go deeper and dedicate time to their ceramics journey.
Once a week @ R2,200 per month and entitles you to one shelf.
Twice a week @ R4,000 per month and entitles you to two shelves.
Three days a week @ R5,500 per month and entitles you to two shelves
Attending 2 or 3 classes per week grants you access to book in ‘open studio’ time on Friday mornings from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Available to experienced potters who require no tuition and who’ve been a member of the studio for more than 6 months.
There is limited shelf and studio space, please enquire below for availability.
FAQ
Do I have to attend class on the same day every week?
Yes and no; we understand that life happens and have a missed class policy that accommodates this. However, to ensure that we have enough space and time for all students, we ask new students to book a class time that fits their schedule.
What happens to missed classes?
Students are welcome to make up missed classes anytime; you can carry them over to the next year even, providing you are a continuing paying student.
How long is the voucher valid for?
The voucher is valid for a year from the date of purchase. However, all four classes have to be redeemed within a calendar month.
When are fees due?
Fees are due on the first class day of each month.
What happens if I go overseas for two months in winter?
We ask that students continue to pay their fees and makeup classes on your return. Anthony Shapiro Studio has overheads and continues to run. Students who fail to comply will risk losing their shelf and class spot. We are as accommodating as possible and make every endeavour to keep people happy and creative. However, the Studio is not compelled to hold your work in progress while you travel.
Why are drop-in classes R1000?
Students who book drop-in classes won’t have studio time available to come back and glaze their work; thus, one of the Studio team members will need to glaze the work. This extra time and effort is reflected in the cost.
What happens if I join mid-month?
In this instance, we ask that you either pay pro-rata for that month or pay for the remaining classes and the following month’s classes.
What temperature do you fire to?
We bisque fire to 1000 degrees Celsius and glaze fire to 1200 degrees Celsius (cone ⅚).
If I have low firing glaze from another studio, can I bring it along?
Sadly not as we fire to 1200 degrees Celsius (cone ⅚) and not to 1060 degrees Celsius (cone ⅚).
Do class fees include underglazes and specialised Amaco brush-on glazes?
No, it does not.
What time do we start packing up a the end of a class?
12.15 in the morning or 8.15 in the evening to allow 15 minutes to clean and pack up
Do we need our own tools?
Initially the studio does have some tools for use communally however we do encourage you to invest in some of your own tools if the bug bites, pretty often it does! It makes it much easier if everyone has their own tools. The initial outlay is not large and so worth it.
Do we have to clean our works space and floor around us if we've made a mess?
Yes! The Studio is equipped with dustpans and brushes.
Is there class during load shedding?
Yes limited to 10 wheels and regular throwers take preference
#AnthonyShapiroCeramics
The area has lots of parking on Harrington Square or in front of Food Lovers Market.
Call/Whatsapp : 082 853 0988 | Email : anthony@anthonyshapiro.co.za