New Business In Ancient Craft Comes To Woburn

WOBURN, MA — One of the newest new businesses in Woburn isn’t some high-tech hotshot or the latest life sciences breakthrough-maker.

But Cozy Clay might add new life to an ancient industry, here in downtown Woburn.

Cozy Clay, at 315 Main St., is a pottery studio focused on allowing the community to participate in ceramics-making. The studio held an initial public workshop on Saturday.

The goal of the new business is to be “a welcoming space where Woburn residents of all ages, backgrounds and ability levels (can) connect, create and unplug,” according to a statement.

The 2,200-square-foot studio employs five part-time staff and three instructors. There are 15 pottery wheels, a slab roller and an extruder, a device that pushes clay into a die for making various shapes.

Founders Alice Lee and Sara Ly told Patch that Saturday's workshop was well attended by “neighbors who walked by our window display and signed up.” Cozy Clay is now offering other one-time workshops, eight-week classes and memberships for experienced potters.

Community clay studios like this one are growing throughout the U.S.

“Pottery classes, once considered a niche hobby for artists or retirees, have transformed into vibrant social hubs, places where friendships are formed, ideas are exchanged, and community flourishes,” wrote an arts website, Feel Artistic, last July.

The Cozy Clay founders said they believe such growth is due to “the desire to disconnect from the world, be immersed in a hands-on activity and use the creative side of our brains.”

Adding to the trend – or maybe because of it – is the popularity of “The Great Pottery Throw Down,” a British reality competition TV show that’s received international viewership. Think “The Great British Bake Off,” but with clay pots.

Cozy Clay plans to hold a "grand opening" of its Woburn space on Thursday, May 21, starting at noon.

The creation of clay pottery dates to at least 25,000 years B.C., according to most historical reports.

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