Urth clay studio

Urth Clay Studio is a Burnside, Adelaide pottery studio built around the idea that working with clay can support creativity, confidence and wellbeing, as well as teach ceramic techniques. Its programme includes one-off social pottery classes, mindful term programmes and pottery workshops, with sessions available for beginners and returning participants. The studio also offers pottery pick-ups in Burnside.

The emphasis is on being present and enjoying the process rather than producing a technically perfect object. Participants are encouraged to get hands-on with the clay, use mindfulness and make something of their own, whether that is a pot, sculpture or a simple smiley face. The studio describes its classes as community-based, with a relaxed setting where people can join in, laugh and de-stress. It is a natural fit for adults and children, solo participants and groups looking for a creative activity with a wellbeing focus.

Urth was founded by Zein Akkad, who discovered pottery after moving to Australia from Syria. She found that working with clay gave her a practical way to focus, express herself and manage difficult feelings, and later developed her own skills across techniques including slab building, wheel throwing, Japanese form pressing and kirinuki. Her experience shaped the studio’s purpose: to share the positive effects she associated with clay while contributing to the local community.

The studio’s gallery features work made by class participants, giving visitors a sense of the varied results that can come from the sessions. Urth also describes a wider commitment to wellbeing and community support through its Pay It Forward programme, which has provided free sessions and vouchers to organisations and events. In Adelaide, the studio suits anyone curious about pottery, from first-timers wanting a social introduction to returning makers seeking a mindful, tactile way to spend time creating.