Cedar Oak Farm Pottery

About Cedar Oak Farm Pottery - Farm-Based Pottery Studio in Indian Trail, NC

Where Clay, Horses & Harvest Come Together

Cedar Oak Farm Pottery is a unique farm-based pottery studio located at 7816 West Duncan Road in Indian Trail, North Carolina, near Charlotte and Mint Hill. Founded by Tanya Pohlmann, the studio brings together arts and agriculture in a tranquil rural setting, offering comprehensive pottery classes, horse boarding, and a planned community cooperative garden. This distinctive environment provides students with a peaceful, creative space to learn ceramics while experiencing farm life.

Meet Your Pottery Instructors

Tanya Pohlmann - Owner & Lead Instructor

Tanya holds both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degree, with specializations in ceramics and sculpture from Colorado State University and the University of Hartford. Her educational background taught her to think creatively and see beyond face value, distinguishing between simply making and truly creating art. After years in corporate America while continuing to create with clay, Tanya took the leap to start Cedar Oak Farm Pottery, combining her passion for ceramics with her vision of providing a different kind of creative environment. She teaches students to dig deep and create unique pieces while developing technical skills and artistic confidence.

Kay Lapp - Pottery Instructor

Kay specializes in wheel throwing and has been making pottery for six years and teaching for two. Her work is deeply inspired by nature, and she incorporates organic forms and natural beauty into her pottery pieces. Kay finds joy in helping others explore their creativity and discover the magic of working with clay, creating a supportive and encouraging learning environment for students of all levels.

Pottery Classes & Workshop Options

Wheel Throwing Classes

Learn to center, throw, form, alter, and trim clay on a potter's wheel while incorporating various surface design techniques. Classes are structured for progressive skill development, allowing students to master fundamental techniques before advancing to more complex forms. All wheel throwing instruction includes practice time, glazing guidance, and kiln firing services.

Hand-Building & Sculpting Classes

Hand-building and sculpture classes focus on slab construction, coil techniques, and sculpting clay by hand. Students learn surface design methods and glazing techniques to complete functional and artistic pieces. These classes are perfect for those who prefer working without a wheel or want to explore sculptural forms.

Combined Wheel Throwing & Hand-Building

For students wanting comprehensive pottery education, combined classes incorporate both throwing clay on the pottery wheel and hand-building techniques, providing a well-rounded foundation in ceramic arts. This approach allows students to discover which methods resonate most with their creative style.

One-Time Clay Experiences

Enjoy a Saturday evening pottery experience with friends without long-term commitment. Try the pottery wheel or create something by hand during these casual, fun sessions. Check the calendar of events to sign up for an evening of creativity and socializing.

Small Group & Private Events

Cedar Oak Farm Pottery hosts small group events for parties, team building, date nights, and special occasions. Experience wheel throwing or hand-building in clay by joining a scheduled group event or booking a private session. All pieces created during events are glazed and fired, ready for pickup within 4 weeks.

Alternative Firing Workshops - Raku, Barrel & Pit Firing

For students seeking unique surface effects, the studio offers alternative firing methods including raku, barrel firing, and pit firing. These weather-dependent workshops are available to existing students and provide opportunities to explore ancient firing techniques that create distinctive, unpredictable results. Students typically use raku clay bodies for these special firing events.

Class Structure & What's Included

Eight-session pottery courses must be completed within 10 weeks and include firing of up to one full kiln of student work per course, a selection of glazes to choose from, and practice time outside of scheduled class hours (call or text ahead to ensure space availability). Students create functional pottery pieces that are food-safe and suitable for everyday use. Finished work not picked up within 90 days becomes property of Cedar Oak Farm Pottery and may be donated.

Beyond Pottery - Farm Amenities

Pasture Horse Boarding

Cedar Oak Farm offers tranquil pasture boarding for horses in a quiet, relaxing environment. This small, peaceful facility is perfect for yearlings, older retiring horses, and individuals seeking a non-competitive atmosphere with basic amenities. The farm provides 24/7 pasture access with limited boarders to maintain grass quality, up to twice-daily feedings, temperature-appropriate blanketing, and anytime access to visit your horse.

Community Cooperative Garden (Coming 2026)

Join a community of gardeners to create and share the rewards of a large cooperative garden. This upcoming initiative will provide space for gardening enthusiasts to collaborate, learn, and enjoy fresh produce together, furthering the farm's mission of bringing arts and agriculture together.

Visit Cedar Oak Farm Pottery

Located in Indian Trail, North Carolina, Cedar Oak Farm Pottery serves the Charlotte metropolitan area including Mint Hill, Monroe, Matthews, and surrounding Union County communities. The studio combines professional pottery instruction with the peaceful atmosphere of a working farm, complete with friendly dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, guineas, honeybee hives, and pigs. Whether you're a complete beginner or experienced potter, Cedar Oak Farm Pottery offers the instruction, facilities, and creative community to help you develop your ceramic art skills. Contact Tanya at (704) 750-9821 or visit the website to register for classes or learn more about pottery workshops and farm activities.