hate, hate, hate this place! (if I could give it 0 stars, I would) my husband gifted me a class (which isn't exactly inexpensive). I went thru the protocol of attending class. when I arrived, there was a ton of shuffling because the instructor just didn't show up. the stand-in (can't remember his name) was cool, explained things well, and was patient (probably the the one reason for a star). long story short, the pottery I (painstakingly) made was suppose to be baked and glazed. the baked part happened, but they made me wait 3 weeks for glazing. I came back, and they had LOST my pieces. total bummer. I do NOT recommend!!! read more

This is a beautiful, clean studio, and at first glance I was dying to cancel my current studio membership and work here. However, the $180 a month studio fee just is insanely overpriced for the firing limit. Unlike the other local studios, members do not receive a monthly cubic inch allotment (my Santa Monica studio gives us 6,000 cubic inches a month for $205); rather, you're permitted to throw five small pieces that have to fit inside their measuring box. One of my studiomates decided to take a break from our studio because she wasn't coming close to using all her inches, so she thought she would give Bitter Root a try. She exhausted her firing limitations in ONE DAY. I really wish they would have a more competitive allotment-- it is such a nice spot, and I don't even mind the lower firing (I think they fire at cone 6) because they have a very nice glaze selection. read more

THEY WERE AMAZING!!! PLEASE READ!!! Bitter Roots is under new ownership and I can't tell you how kind, patient and courteous everyone is. I went with 5 of my closest friends to the adult class on tuesday night and we had the best time and dare say made some pretty decent impressions of bowls. The previous reviews do not apply to Rob and his team. We had so much fun and actually went over in time because they spent so much time explaining things individually if someone was having any difficulties... and even when we went a little off, they allowed us to continue and give a unique slant to our bowls/vases. I encourage you to call if you have any questions. read more

Great place for beginners classes & for people with experience. Handbuilding & wheel throwing are taught & supported. Lots of different teachers, tools, and materials. This is raw clay, start from scratch goodness. Love my monthly membership with 24hr access. What a great addition to the neighborhood! read more

In my first class which was pretty one-on-one with a teacher I made 2 bowls, I'd like to think I'm a quick learner, however I'm pretty sure my teacher was just awesome. read more

I graduated with a BFA with a concentration in ceramics from ASU back in 07' after that I spent time teaching. Then I got married, did workshops and taught some more. Then I had a baby....and I completely stopped doing ceramics for about 3 years. I dabbled in some other artistic interest but I always missed working with clay. Then I found Bitter Root....I could have kicked myself! It was just around the corner from me! We'd passed it plenty of times driving. Finding BR was a God's send I re-found myself and reignited my passion and creativity. Rob the owner is really cool and nice. Everyone on staff is an amazing artist and very knowledgeable. It's a great place for novices to professionals to chat and learn from one another. The atmosphere is very calming and energizing all at the same time. They offer a variety of classes for groups or individuals. Once you prove your skills to be "intermediate" level at least you can sign up to be a member and get your own shelf. You only pay for your own clay and a members fee after that. They do have a monthly quota in the number of pieces you get to fire and glaze. But that just helps you make better pieces. They also have summer classes for kids and they do parties! I highly recommend it! read more

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Magical place for a birthday party. We took our two daughters, 9 and 11, with seven friends for a two-hour party last weekend. There are eleven wheels, with one being for the instructor, so space for ten. The space is small but has great flow with two front doors and a wide back door, so plenty of air circulation, not stuffy at all. There is a big table at back with comfortable chairs for grandparents and grown-ups to watch. It's possible to bring snacks and food but we had lunch before so we didn't need to use it. With the fairy lights outside, it's like Bitter Root is always ready for a party. We didn't bring any balloons or anything and it felt festive. So relaxing. Liza was our main instructor, with Rachel assisting. They were perfection; patient, engaging, thorough and kind. At one point early on I made a suggestion to Liza and she gave me kind of a MYOB response and I thought "Uh oh," but I quickly realized that she was right and I just let go of any and all responsibility and left the group in her supremely capable hands. She's wonderful. Each girl threw a pot, going step-by-step through the process. They all ended up with a nice piece to be fired, even a child who showed up very late (whom I thought would just miss out, but Rachel sat down with her and made it happen) and my 9-year-old, who is all about experimentation and kept going too far and smooshing hers. Again, they whipped one out for her so she wouldn't miss out on having a finished bowl. So very thoughtful. We have done a lot of great birthday parties, but this party was the best EVER. My daughter can't wait to go back to Bitter Root, she was so so happy. All the girls were engaged and focused and very happy with their pots. I can't wait to pick them up and give them to the girls. And here's another time-saver for parents; the pots are like a built-in party favor! read more

THIS PLACE IS LIKE FAMILY TO ME NOW! My Girlfriend first took me to a pottery "one on one" for my birthday to a different studio, it was my first time throwing clay on a wheel! I loved it. I then decided to find a place closer to home and found Bitter Root. The moment I joined it was amazing! Rob the (new) owner explained everything to us and gave us shelves. We have 24 hour access to the studio and everything but the clay in included in the membership-including all the classes you want to take! The range of people that go there are so cool and Rob who is VERY TALENTED is always super down to earth and always gives me encouragement and little bits of advice that really drastically help my skills. Also, because I have access to the studio at any time it really takes pressure off while I am there... I can leave anytime I want! I love this place! read more

My boyfriend and I took a class here. It was a cool place, we got to make 3 pieces during our session. We didn't get to paint the pieces though, we had to write what color we would like and our name and come back for it in 2 weeks. When we came back, there was no organization as to where we might find our pieces. They told us to look around. We found all of our creations, but we definitely felt lucky. It was a good experience, but it didn't feel very organized. read more

Hidden Gem in LA! I've been a monthly member at Bitter Root for close to 3 years and it is the best experience I've had in LA in 20 years of living here. Most of the reviews are from the old ownership which indeed was lacking in attention to the business. Since Rob has taken it over, it's transformed into a magical environment for artists to congregate and learn the art of ceramics. The teachers are all seasoned veterans. Rob's ability to bring to life stunning pieces of art through clay is inspiring. He is an undiscovered talent who's work is as good and better than any "recognized" ceramic artist internationally. Learning to make pottery is a labor of love. It takes dedication, focus and persistence (perfectionists be warned!) But the adventure is worth it and deeply rewarding. Bitter Root is the place to start learning and practice this ancient art. Get started, you won't regret it! read more

Friendly patient instructor for my first ever try at using a pottery wheel. I screwed up and lost control of my clay and she helped me fix it. Definitely recommend it --and a friend of mine is now going to bring her kids to the children's pottery classes. read more

My home away from home. I actually wish it was my home. Since i started a few months ago - i want to spend every moment here. I totally got bitten by the clay bug. I used to drive past BR often and think about starting a class but never got around to it. Finally after a couple of years - i decided to do it. I find this place like a natural upper. If you are freelance like me and find yourself bored or lazy in your time off - this place will change that. even on days that i feel a little flat or exhausted - a couple of hours here will re-energise you The teachers are all different and every time i do a lesson, i learn another way of doing things. (i like that) You need to be self motivated as this is members club with incredibly friendly and helpful members & teachers but it is up to you to push yourself. The classes in the evening are there to help you with skills and techniques. Everyone is super relaxed and a nice place to spend as much time as you want. read more

A friend and I took the beginner pottery class here and made bowls. Our instructor was patient and kind, and we enjoyed ourselves. It was around $50, which you might think is expensive for a bowl but worth it when you consider we were entertained for two hours. Our glazed bowls weren't ready until about a week after the promised time, but not that big of a deal. read more

Came here to get some pottery lesson information for my stay and look at some finished pieces. Customer service was amazing.

They throw parties/shows for members, which I attended one of since my friend is a member. Neat place.

Love this spot! Visiting Los Angeles and had to check it out. Eric's super nice! Really cool environment

I love being part of bitter root pottery! I have been a member since May 2010 and it is my home away from home. An artistic, laid back community of interesting people from all walks of life, age groups and skill levels. And my friends with preteens sent them to "kids camp" on summer and winter break... They loved it and became pretty good little potters! read more

I absolutely love this place... great teachers, great environment, everything comes with class you need... parking at night and weekends! knowledgeable, friendly, fun staff and best experience you can have... everyone should try it at least once! read more

We went for my birthday and had a lovely time making bowls and pinch pots! Waiting 3+ weeks for our creations was not a problem. The problem was whoever glazed out stuff did a crap job and they look super funky. Such a bummer. read more

My husband surprised me for a couples valentines day pottery class. we loved it! The instructor Eric was very helpful. And it was such a fun and cute experience. read more

Brian was the best teacher I've ever had. So nice and patient and a wealth of knowledge!

My friends and I went here for my birthday. Great instructor and easy process. If you've never been you must go!!

Jane was our instructor and she is great with a lot of patience, she helps you when you need help and does not care how many times you mess up. It's definitely a fun experience, I might just become a regular there . read more

My friend Kellie surprised me with this class for an early birthday activity this past Sunday! We had such a great time. Neither of us had done anything on the wheel before so we were SUPER beginner. But Chloe was fabulous!! It was a full class, but I never felt like I didn't get adequate attention or attentiveness to my bowl. She was super helpful and went through each step!! Can't wait to see the finished product in a few weeks! Thank you Chloe & Bitter Root! read more

Hey, I do not understand the negative reviews above! I just don't get it. This place is wonderful. You have tons of freedom to create what you want when you want. It is great for creative types that have lots of experience working in clay or for people who would like to learn. There are classes for all levels. I love the place and have been there for more than three years. read more

Okay, let me first explain my particular scenario: 1. I'm a trained art educator - which means I had dabbled in ceramics before coming to this pottery studio, but I am by far NOT an expert. 2. I got to take an adult's beginner class because my boyfriend bought the gift certificate for me (aka best boyfriend ever! lol) So after those two facts, I can say: I LOVED my pottery, but didn't so much love the people. I arrived about 20 minutes before class and parked along Beverly street (2-hour parking till 8, after which it's free). The instructor seemed kind enough, and I'll go on the record to say that on all terms, he was nice - but not a great teacher. You get the "I am an ARTIST" vibe from him - as if teaching the class is his side job (which it probably is). But as a trained art teacher myself, there are just certain ways that you treat your students, no matter what the age or skill level. There were three people in the class that night, including myself, and he wasn't really patient at ALL. I did fine in the class because I had previous experience, but I would've been terribly intimidated if it was my first time at the pottery wheel. He didn't allow us to make our own mistakes - which is crucial when making art, and he didn't allow for different interpretations of the work. He wanted to make sure that everyone's piece looked the same - again, a big no-no in the art world. I'm still waiting on my piece to be fired and glazed, and looking at the reviews - let's just say that i'm nervous about that as well. But we'll see how it goes! I'll update later when I call them to pick up my piece. Overall, the experience is great as long as you're willing to be patient with the instructors, and be prepared for their possible lack of patience with you. If you go in the class with an open mind and willingness to get messy with clay, then you'll have fun no matter what attitudes the teachers might have. Hope this was helpful! read more

Bitter Root is a place to reconnect with yourself, make new friends and get your hands all up in some dirty! I was a member at Bitter Root for almost 3 years. Over the past year, the new owner, Rob, has really done a 180 on the place. I'm sad for all the bad comments below because although they were true for the previous owners, they could not be further from the truth about the current environment. I'll talk alot about Rob in my review because he is the soul of the place and that's important. I first met Rob when we were both members and he had no ownership of Bitter Root. Even so, he was the first to offer a smile and a helping hand. As I look at some of my favorite treasured pieces of my pottery that adorn the shelves in my home, my eyes always land on the shapes of the pieces that Rob helped me to create. From a beautiful renaissance vase to a giant bowl that invites you to look deep inside, these are the pieces of my time at Bitter Root that I love the most. Perhaps it's because his hands and skills are much more capable than my own- more than likely though, it's because we made it together and I have a fondness for that time in my life. On to the practicalities- the studio has 24 hour access so you can visit anytime you like. There are lots of classes to help you progress, and as I mentioned previously, always helpful folks like Rob around. Since Rob has taken over Bitter Root he has really shaped the place up, tightening schedules to make sure all the pieces are fired quickly- and the best part, investing in it. Rob has added a ton of new glazes and even equipment like a clay extruder and slab roller. As you can tell, I definitely wish I had time in my life right now to go to Bitter Root. Other commitments have forced me out of the studio, but I truly hope to get in at least a couple months at the end of the year. Bitter Root has good people, the kind of people you want in your life. In Los Angeles, we all know these people can be few and far between. If you've got the time and the energy, Bitter Root will give back what you put in ...and then some. Sidenote: If you just plan on taking a class or two, I think that is great, but have realistic expectations. Over the years I saw people come in with crazy expectations out of their first classes. I've seen everything from someone looking to make a piece of home decor for a specific purpose to one person who wanted to make a gift for their parent's 50th anniversary! Come on people- do you think you are Shoji Hamada, waiting to be unleashed in class 1??!!! WTF- you want to make beautiful pottery, it's an art- you gotta do the time. Come to class with the expectations of learning the very beginnings of a new art form and the idea that you can spend a few hours centering yourself and you'll be a happy camper. And I guarantee you'll create a beautiful, albeit wonky, bowl that you can proudly show your friends while you brag about the coolest afternoon ever! read more

I wish I could give zero stars. My experience there is far too involved to go into here, and frankly just embarrassing for the owner. This seems like an okay place if you are just using it as a studio when you are already experienced. But I took a beginning class there and it was totally disorganized. To make a very, VERY long story short, I too, couldn't find my pottery for weeks, was given the run-around by the owner and was never in my life spoken to the way he spoke to me. You shouldn't pay money for a pottery class and end up bawling your eyes out in your car for the way the owner spoke to you. read more

My boyfriend and I randomly walked by this place, looked it up, and saw they offer classes for beginners (which we are). After so many reviews about misplaced items, I was a little worried. I'm glad we went anyway, though, because it was SO. MUCH. FUN. the instructor was awesome and it was a fantastic experience. I am not at all your creative/artsy type but it was all explained perfectly well at a great pace. Because we live in Florida, we called the shop first to see if it would be possible to have the bowls sent to us and they said they would be happy to do so. Like I said, I was worried our bowls would never make it to us because the reviews claim the studio and the people who run it are disorganized. Today, after exactly 3 weeks since creating our masterpieces, they arrived on our doorstep!! Very securely packaged as well. I couldn't recommend Bitter Root enough. The class was fun and the product was beautiful. 50 dollars very well spent. read more

Bitter Root Pottery - Paint-Your-Own Pottery Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Bitter Root is the real deal! My boss attended a class with her son & ended up bringing our entire company back for our holiday party! Fantastic, fun, knowledgable instructors, insanely bohemian setting, getting into the zen vibe of getting your hands into the clay and creating something out of nothing alongside people you work with every day yet you're getting to know everyone on a new, cooler level... We truly had an awesome experience at Bitter Root Pottery! Would go again in a minute. read more

I attended Bitter Root Pottery about 5 months ago along with my mother and my sister. We took a private lesson with one of the instructors there (Danielle), and Id have to say it was such an amazing experience!!! She was so patient with us. I was always told that I wouldn't be capable of throwing on the wheel because of my nails, but she taught me certain techniques and methods that enabled me to create my very first bowl! I was so pleased with the atmosphere, prices, and ALSO to find out that it's a 24hour studio was unreal! I didn't hesitate to sign up for a membership, and I am so thankful I did!!!! It has been my go to place...a place of serenity. read more

A great space that changed owners a couple of years ago I believe. Well run and full of sweet and inspired people. I started by taking my daughter to kids classes which were brilliant and then got hooked myself. Well worth a visit. read more

We just had our daughter's 6th birthday party at Bitter Root. It was fantastic. The teachers were nice and attentive. The children were engaged and focused, in fact I've never seen children this calm at a birthday party before. Everyone had a wonderful time and they made beautiful pieces. I decided to have the birthday party here because I take my kids to the drop in class almost every Sunday. They beg me each weekend to go back to continue to complete current pieces and create new ones. I found Bitter Root by a google search and luckily I did not read the reviews, which I see are not favorable. I strongly disagree with the bad reviews. I had a wonderful experience, as did my kids and their friends. read more

My daughter took a class here this summer for 2 weeks (10 days). She enjoyed the class, but they were fairly disorganized, the owners would always show up late to class (often an hour late!), and when we started calling to find out when we could pick up the pieces she created, they had lost them and kept telling us they were firing them downtown and would "bring them tomorrow" but then they never brought them to the shop, and eventually the owner explained that his guys had fired the pieces and put them in a box somewhere (downtown this is) and they are "having trouble locating them." I think this a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-p ants operation, which would be fine if the classes were 20 bucks, but they are 60 bucks a session and I expect to leave with a finished product for $300 bucks/week. My daughter left to go back home to Scotland, without the pottery pieces she created. Who will pay now to ship the pieces over, if and when they are ever found? Certainly these guys will be onto the next customer and will hardly offer to pay for anything. My advice if you do business with them is pay half now, half once the pieces are fired and delivered. And good luck, you will need all the luck you can get getting your pieces back. read more

yeah, wanted to take a class or two, as i'd done wheel throwing in college and loved it. bought a wheel and small electric kiln for home, and thought i'd brush up a bit. similar to other reviewers, the place seems pretty flaky. there were 3 people in the room when i walked in, and no one acknowledged my presence for several minutes. even took a minute when i took the bull by the horns and asked if anyone worked there. . . no one seemed to know the class schedule, they were all kind of rude and disinterested, not getting to glaze your own piece is a little weird. i did NOT take a class there, because i was so put off. . . read more