FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 7, 2025
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Lesa Griffith
808-532-8712
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Honolulu Museum of Art School doubles number of ceramics classes and extends hours
Registration for winter semester opens Nov. 19; classes start in January
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I—To meet growing demand, the Honolulu Museum of Art School has doubled its number of ceramics classes to 12 for its upcoming winter semester. To accommodate the increase, it is extending its hours from four to five days a week. Beginning Jan. 14, the Art School will be open Wednesday to Sunday. HoMA School information can be found at: myhoma.org/classes
Ceramics classes at the HoMA School have been
selling out in minutes, even while new venues on O‘ahu open and thrive. Other
ceramics studios include Fishcake’s Fish School, Mudd Studio, Hawaii Ceramic
Supply, Nice Pottery, North Shore Arts Center, and, of course, the venerable
Hawaii Potters Guild.
From Maine to Maui, pottery has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last few years, with classes and workshops burgeoning. Some see working in clay as an antidote to lives increasingly lived online and on screens. “From the rise of Etsy to the pandemic spurring a craft revival, the world has seen people having a growing interest in a return to the handmade,” says Aaron Padilla, HoMA director of learning and engagement. “So it is no surprise that we continue to see our ceramics classes sell out. Whether you’re handbuilding with slabs of clay or finely shaping a vessel on a wheel, working in clay can be almost meditative. It allows you to forget about the stresses of the day and literally get your hands dirty with the earth.”
The increase in the number of ceramics classes HoMA offers also allows the school to have classes targeted to skill levels, rather than be “one size fits all.” “Now those having their first pottery experiences can feel more comfortable in beginners-only classes, rather than possibly feeling intimidated by being in the studio with seasoned ceramists,” says HoMA studio programs manager Joseph Smeraldi. “And intermediate students won’t need to go through beginner-level instruction in classes tailored for those with more experience.”
Class descriptions for the Honolulu Museum of Art School’s winter semester are now online, and registration opens Nov. 19. The semester starts Jan. 14. The 12 ceramics classes, for adults and youth, start on varying dates between Jan. 14 and 18. Tuition for adult 10-week ceramics course costs $329, and 10-week course for children and youth cost $318.
Images available on request.
About the Honolulu Museum of Art
The Honolulu Museum of Art is Hawai‘i’s premier art institution, inspiring and uplifting the community through transformative art experiences. Founded in 1927 to reflect Hawai‘i’s multicultural makeup, today HoMA’s extraordinary collection of more than 55,000 works of art from across the globe spans 5,000 years.
Through its collection, innovative exhibitions, and programs, the museum is able to tell stories relevant to Hawai‘i and the world at large. It serves as a gathering place of learning and discovery, where visitors can encounter new ideas, explore diverse perspectives, develop empathy, and contribute to their well-being through art. Home to an art school, Honolulu’s last art house theater, two cafes, and a shop—just 10 minutes from Waikīkī—HoMA is a vital part of Hawai‘i’s cultural landscape committed to access for all.
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 10am–6pm; Friday 10am–9pm
Admission: Adults $25; residents $15; free for youth 18 and under; free for SNAP beneficiaries and college students enrolled at any Hawai‘i state university or college.
Honolulu Museum of Art
900 S Beretania St
Honolulu, HI 96814
Honolulu Museum of Art School
1111 Victoria St
Honolulu, HI 96814
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