We are a small but mighty ceramic art studio in Mt.Pleasant, DC with a mission to raise money for mutual aid while creating opportunities for healing, connection, and joy through clay.
We believe mutual aid is love and making is medicine.
DONATION POLICY
What is your policy?
ALL profits from classes and sales are currently being donated to non-profits and mutual aid initiatives.
Where do you donate?
A list of all organizations and mutual aid initiatives we’ve donated to can be found on our Donation page.
How much have you raised?
2024: $4,306
2025: $28,234
2026: $40,000 GOAL
MAKING POTTERY AT STUDIO KUSI
Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be notified when more community and private classes are added to the schedule.
I want to take a class. How can I book?
Learn more and sign up for a class here.
Where is the studio located?
The studio is in a converted garage in Mt. Pleasant. The exact address will be shared once you reserve class or open house.
Do you offer one or two-day workshops where I can keep what I make?
Yes, we do. Sign up for our monthly newsletter to be notified when 2026 classes are added to the schedule.
Do you offer private party workshops?
Yes, we do. Join waitlist here. Please be patient with responses (we are a small volunteer-led studio)
Here are our current private party offerings:
– One-day “Try-it” wheel throwing classes
Cost: $300
Age range: 14+
Size: 1-4 people
Location: Studio Kusi in Mt Pleasant
– 2-day hand building workshops
Cost: $660
Age range: 7+
Size: 2-6 people
Location: Studio Kusi in Mt Pleasant
– One-day sign decorating workshops (Signs can be protest art, apartment/house numbers, etc.)
Cost: $800
Age range: 5+
Size: 10-20 people
Location: External location e.g. Right Proper Brewery, Doubles Coffee
I want to plan a fun event for my team at work. Can you host a workshop?
Yes, we offer coaster or sign painting events at workplaces within a 5 mile radius of our studio in Mt. Pleasant
– Ideas: Staff paint a sign to gift other colleagues e.g. Superlatives, Trophy signs for assigned colleague and one for themselves e.g. Cubicle sign, protest art, coasters, etc.
– Process: All signs are handmade at Studio Kusi –> fired once –> decorated during workshop –> fired again at Studio Kusi –> Delivered back to workplace
– Cost: $900-$1800 depending on team size, location, and organization type (private vs non-profit)
– Email studio.kusi.dc@gmail.com with a few preferred dates and team size and we will get back to you within 7 business days to let you know if we are available and will share a quote.
I want to make pottery but I can’t afford the price. Are there opportunities for me?
Yes! At Studio Kusi we believe making art should be accessible regardless of financial situation. Here are some ways you can create with clay:
- Pilot a new workshop – we offer discounted workshops in return for feedback
- Full and half scholarships – We offer 50% off all classes if you make under 65k and a limited amount of free classes. Discount codes are listed on each class page (Book here).
- 2026 UPDATE:
- Try-it wheel classes: 50% discount remains
- All other classes and open studios: We reduced discount to 20% off until we raise enough money in our scholarship fund.
- **If you would like to help us keep pottery classes affordable while raising money for mutual aid, you can donate to our scholarship fund here.
- 2026 UPDATE:
- Sign up for a volunteer help day – Volunteers learn how to make ceramic jewelry, ornaments, and signs. Money raised from sales is donated. So far volunteers have helped raise over $6,000. Sign up here.
What’s your cancellation & refund policy?
- Refunds are granted if cancellations are made a minimum of 14 days prior to the initial class or if the slot is filled by someone else. To cancel email studio.kusi.dc@gmail.com
- Individual missed classes within a series are not eligible for refunds or make-up sessions.
- **Exception – hand building open studio: You can come in 30 minutes early to the other sessions. Or if you miss week 1, 2 or 3 you can take clay home to make something and we will fire it for you.
Do you offer outside firing?
- No, we don’t offer outside firing.
- When we have extra kiln space we offer it to active volunteers.
- We recommend checking out FB marketplace or kilnshare.com for firing services.
If you have experience making pottery and would like to fire your work, sign up for a wheel open studio or hand building open studio.
BUYING STUDIO KUSI ART AND JEWELRY
How can I shop?
Visit us during an “Open house” slot
Check our “Shop” page for a list of markets we will be at
Do you accept returns?
No, we do not accept returns. However, if the ceramic piece fell off the earring back we are happy to fix it for you for free during an open house.
SUPPORTING OUR WORK
Donate to our scholarship fund
Making art should be accessible to all people, regardless of financial situation. Donate to help us continue offering scholarships, while still covering studio costs and raising money for important causes!
Buy a loved one a gift card
Gift cards can be used for any pottery class and can be purchased here.
Volunteer
Opening the studio has been a labor of love, and wouldn’t have been possible without my community’s support. To keep it running and raising money, I would love some help! Fill out this interest form if you’d like to get involved <3
Propose an idea/workshop:
Studio Kusi is meant to be a community space where people can make art while raising money for mutual aid. I am always open to new ideas, including expanding our current pottery offerings + offering classes in different mediums beyond clay. Submit any ideas/proposals here.
For all other questions and/or suggestions, you can reach us via email: studio.kusi.dc@gmail.com