Plum Pottery is a bright, airy pottery studio and shop where you can see local artisans hunched over a spinning potter’s wheel forming their next creation.

I stumbled across it as I explored South Park last weekend and decided to pop in for a visit. Three artists were there plying their craft, and they educated me about their little studio and the art of working in clay. It was really interesting to watch one of them, Robert, working on a bowl on the wheel. (I’ll have to admit that Unchained Melody and the iconic scene from Ghost popped into my head for a nanosecond or two, but I kept my mouth shut. I’m sure they’ve all heard that line before.)

I learned about the patience and focus needed to create a piece and, as I stood there listening, I wondered about the impact of the arid San Diego climate on the whole process. The Santa Ana winds can dry out the clay much more quickly, so it has to be kept moist and sealed. Conversely, on rainy, humid days, that can pose another challenge.

You can learn more about the art by taking classes at the studio. Unfortunately, I didn’t take notes on the classes or their costs, so please call the studio to learn the specifics.

There wasn’t a lot of inventory of finished items for sale—what there was, was on display in the storefront windows—but there were some very attractive and interesting pieces that came from more imagination and talent than I could muster.

Explore Plum Pottery and see a working studio in action and, if you’re so inclined, take a class and get your hands wet.

What You Need To Know

Location: 2361 30th Street, San Diego, CA 92104

Hours: Call for hours

Cost: Free to enter; pottery classes vary.

Phone: 619.584.7151

Website: None

Tips: Plum Pottery is very much a working studio. Take time to chat with the artists and absorb all that you want to know about making pottery.

Gallery

Click to see full-sized photos.

Plum Pottery

Works in progress

Design guide

Works in progress

Works in progress

Tools of the potter

Tools of the potter

Kiln

Finished pottery

Visited: 3 April 2016