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Entering the World of Clay

“We make ceramic products, clay fired in a kiln and then glaze fired,” says Muaz, adding that the studio is the first of its kind to do so in the Maldives.

According to Muaz, the studio mainly focuses on three main areas: educational activities, the production of ceramic ware and the supply of materials and tools.

“We offer classes for first-timers who are curious about the craft of pottery, we call it Taster Classes,” explains Muaz.

From introductory classes to month-long courses and studio memberships, classes available at the Clay Studio include:

1. Taster Wheel Throwing: a 2-hour session designed for those with no prior experience and offers a fun, low-commitment introduction to the art of wheel throwing; The piece made in class will be ready for collection in 2-3 weeks.
   
   
2. Taster Hand Building: A 2-hour session on hand-building techniques to build mugs,bowls, trinket holders, vases, sculptures and more; the item will be ready for collection within 2-3 weeks.
   
   
3. Paint a pot: participants can paint a pre-made ceramic item available in the studio; the item will be ready for collection within 2-3 weeks.
   
   
4. Special Workshops/Events: Special events such as “Sip and Clay” are offered every first Friday of the month.
   
   
5. Beginner Courses and Memberships: A one-month beginner course is available for those interested in diving deeper into pottery, alongside studio membership.
   
   Once customers meet a certain number of required class hours, they are eligible for membership at the Clay Studio, which includes access to the studio, equipment, materials and supplies - glazing and firing included - providing greater flexibility for clients to come and go as they please while working on their ceramic project.

6. Junior Programs: One-time wheel-throwing sessions are offered to young children, as well as month-long programs.

With an adjacent café, customers can relax and unwind after an engaging pottery lesson, treating themselves to the cafe’s specialities such as Korean Kimchi Ramen and Thai Peanut Curry.

Nurturing Local Artists
Muaz envisions The Clay Studio Maldives as a catalyst for change in the local arts landscape, nurturing local talent and providing a platform to budding artists.

“Our studio membership is a great opportunity for freelance artists to work on their pottery art,”

“We run our programs in schools as well - at the moment we are running a clay studio program as an extracurricular activity at Finland School” reveals Muaz, noting that more programs will commence at other schools with the new academic year.

Noting the scarcity of potters and ceramic artisans in the Maldives, Muaz wishes to see an increase in local ceramic artists and predicts an influx of ceramic artists is already underway.

“You will (soon) see ceramic art work in upcoming art shows such as Unveiling Visions etc,”

“I am proud to see that some of (our staff) have started their own brands of ceramic art, which is a big part of the mission of our studio,” says Muaz, recognising the hard work and support from his employees.

The Future of Clay Studio
Beyond promoting arts and culture, Muaz hopes The Clay Studio Maldives will leave a lasting impact on the local community. "I hope that we have started a new industry in the Maldives, and would love to see our products and local ceramic artists' products sold globally.”

As for the future, Muaz remains focused on expanding the studio's reach, collaborating with resorts to offer pottery classes and supplies. With each turn of the potter's wheel and stroke of the brush, it seems creativity knows no bounds at The Clay Studio Maldives.