Studio Arts Classes for All Levels + Interests
A vibrant, creative scene lives just below ground level in our expansive art studios. The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan’s studios welcome beginners into a supportive, hands-on environment and offer students with intermediate to advanced skill levels an opportunity to master new, more complex techniques. Explore all of our classes in ceramics and visual arts. All studio arts classes are in person.
Ceramics
Our ceramics studio offers some of the best facilities for pottery wheel and ceramics classes on the Upper West Side. Our studios are very spacious, with high ceilings, and we offer a variety of glazes, as well as both clay and porcelain, which sets us apart. We strive to offer an inviting work environment where ideas, creativity, and laughs are shared. Working among peers—whether at a beginner or more advanced level—enriches the class experience. All studio arts classes are in person.
Drawing, Painting + Crafts
Take classes with experienced teachers in drawing, painting, and crafts. As a community center, we strive to offer an inviting work environment where ideas, creativity, and laughs are shared. Working among peers—whether at a beginner or more advanced level—enriches the class experience. We offer drawing and painting classes in many mediums, including oil paints, acrylic paints, pastels, watercolors, charcoal, pencil, and more. We also offer classes in hands-on crafts such as embroidery and mosaics. All studio arts classes are in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will lockers available for rentals?
Locker rentals are $20/semester for JCC members and $30/semester for the public. Between semesters, locker rentals are $10/month. Lockers are free for Open Studio Pass students. When you arrive to class, your instructor will help you rent a locker. A limited number of lockers are available.
How do I register?
Registration is online. If you have questions, contact the box office.
When will the next season’s schedule be available?
Sign up for our email list to be notified when it’s released.
What if the classes are sold out?
Please email the box office to register for the wait list.
What if I can't make it to class?
No cash refunds or JCC credit will be issued for individual classes missed due to personal scheduling conflicts.
Do you offer virtual art classes?
Not at this time.
Do you offer scholarships?
At this moment, our scholarship program is suspended. Please sign up for our email list to get updates.
Can I schedule a tour of the facility?
Yes, email studios@mmjccm.org.
Are there any discounts for early registration?
No, we don’t offer early registration discounts.
Can I apply any previous credits towards my new order?
Yes. Speak with the box office.
I paid through CourseHorse. How can I register going forward?
If you have credit through CourseHorse, you need to contact them. For future registration, contact the box office.
Will there be ceramics open studio time?
Open Studio Pass holders are advanced students (not necessarily currently enrolled in a class and approved by the studio manager) that can work independently. They will have exclusive access to the studio during certain times.
The cost is $250 per month with a three-month commitment. Registration includes a private locker; you must provide your own lock. Open Studio Pass does not include firing fees.
Open Studio Pass Hours:
Mondays, 10 am–5 pm
Wednesdays, 10 am–6 pm
Saturdays, 10 am–4 pm
The JCC Ceramics Studio offers open studio time for students when classes are not scheduled in the space. Currently enrolled students receive three hours of studio credit for the season in which they are enrolled, and additional open studio time credits can be purchased from their instructor or studio monitor (payment accepted by credit card). Credit expires at the end of each season.
Studio Time for Students Hours:
Thursdays, 1–3 pm and 6–9 pm
Sundays, 5:30–8:30 pm
How do firing fees work?
Firing fees are priced by the size of the work, measured by cubic inch. Firing costs 6¢ per cubic inch per piece, and includes both the bisque and glaze firings. Students can purchase firing fees from their instructor or studio monitor (payment accepted by credit card).
When will I get the supply list? What am I responsible for paying for?
Supply lists will be sent out after registration. Each student is responsible for their own supplies. You can rent a locker to store your supplies from week to week. The JCC is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
For pottery wheel students, we recommend purchasing a ceramics beginner’s kit, or equivalent tools (sponge, loop tool, wire clay cutters, pro needle, boxwood tool, potter's rib, ribbon tool, and metal scraper). These are available at most art stores and cost approximately $15 total.
Are children allowed in the ceramics studio?
Children are not permitted in the studio unless they are attending a children’s ceramics class scheduled at that time.
When will I get the supply list? What am I responsible for paying for?
Supply lists will be sent out after registration. Each student is responsible for their own supplies. You can rent a locker to store your supplies from week to week. The JCC is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.