San Diego Ceramic Connection

Unfortunately I had the exact same negative impression of the owner dude– Kota, Kouttey — [ whatever his name is ]
My friend and I have been an artistic team, very successful in public art installations, as well as, the design and installation of large commercial projects.
Our work is all over the SD Zoo– Museums, etc. .so having just beat four dozen teams nationally for a half million dollar project downtown [installed @ Crosby St. near Harbor Drive]- we got busy creating life-​size human figures to be poured in bronze, we were creating an abstract stainless steel arc of fifteen Albacore tuna… so we just wanted to find someone who could efficiently fire 2 little custom tiles with our names.
The tiles would be set within an 850 sq. ft. mosaic area for the park — which sits there now. So we call ahead –he wasn’t that communicative… and told him the basics and then drove to SDCC.
Basically, he was rude and unreceptive. Like, a person who eats a poor diet and so the result is poor brain function or social retardation. We didn’t want to purchase a kiln– I could’ve fired these in my sleep… but sorry to say that this guy is a prick like the former reviewer expressed.
Another thing: his building looks like a pile of S#=T! on cute little Thorn Street.
DO SOMETHING dude!#&$*&#!!! $!
What a freaking eye sore for the businesses across and next to this dump.
Oh. btw we had our names cast in bronze with our business logo.
Capiche’?!

I appreciate the response from Kouta (owner) in regards to my previous review. He apologized for the misommunication and admitted that administrative tasks were not his stongest skill. I received a full refund today and thought it fair enough to update the review.
I still look forward to putting these funds to use on some ceramics somehow.

I love this place! I thought the price was fair for a 8 week course. I made some bowls and a vase. I turned my bowls into succulent displays. I was surprised how patient the owner was especially after reading the other reviews. The other students were also friendly and helpful so I didn’t always have to bug the owner. Plus its next to Thorn St. so it was nice to grab a beer before class. I am hoping to sign up for additional classes… I really wanted to have Ghost moment… maybe next time!

The owner, Kouta was a prick when he failed to fire my ceramics in a timely manner and as a result, charged me an extra $ 25 dollars to pick up my items. The equipment is old and the facility is sub-​par in more ways than I could count not to mention drastically overpriced. His ability to effectively teach is non-​existent and he is socially awkward. He did not seem interested in helping me learn and whenever he did take a minute to answer a question, he made me feel as though he was being inconvenienced.. I would recommend skipping over this place and attending pottery class elsewhere.

I went in to sign up for a class the guy was weird and not helpful. I would not recommend this place. The end.

So, if you would like to actually learn something about ceramics with the (very understandable and reasonable) expectation of actual instruction, a little bit of structure and some guidance then this is NOT the place for you. After signing up for my 8 week course the instructor/​owner: Kouta was only available for about 3 classes and then just stopped coming — his «helpers» seemed to be there on his off nights — but hard to be sure because these folks were never formerly introduced. They were just always there, working on their projects etc, so it was all quite confusing. I was impressed that the 8 week course came with a «free night» on Fridays but don’t ask Kouta ANY questions if he happens to be there hanging out with a beer, he’ll grunt and moan and tell you he doesn’t work on Fridays. Conclusion: the random folks in the studio were the most helpful (I think I learned something from them?), so thanks to those folks! FYI: The studio doesn’t have a posted firing schedule so depending on when you start your 8 weeks & their most recent firing you’ll probably have to spend an additional $ 25 each time you come in — IF you want to complete your projects (that is if they don’t just get lost along the way). Have fun constantly hunting down someone to find out about their firings, etc because they don’t offer the courtesy of informing you. 4+ months later and still checking on the glaze firing of my final 3 pieces, and being told that those pieces are… well, just missing! (wha??) Final Conclusion: While an EXTREMELY laid back studio — as a beginner I would have VERY much welcomed a far more organized and structured environment from SDCC.

Wonder if this place has gone out of business. I called and left messages last week and earlier this week, but have received no response. Don’t know if staff are all on vacation (voice message doesn’t say so), or they don’t respond to calls inquiring about class information. Was hopeful to start a class so am disappointed.

If you are an experienced ceramicist and looking for little to no direction, this is the place for you. If you are just beginning ceramics, be aware the teacher/​owner (Kouta) is either inebriated or lacking the patience to teach. Although the prior reviews boast about an atmosphere that is laid back; it should be pointed out the teacher simply lacks social skills and is unprofessional and makes for a tense working environment.
If you are accustomed to disorganization and simply do not want to find your piece of art, this is the studio for you. If you like to be threatened into picking up your ceramics; even before it has been fired for the last time, Kouta is the teacher for you. While the instructor informed students the pieces were to be picked up by September 16^th, he informed they were discarded even prior to their completion without further discussion. The teacher is unprofessional, has a bitter disposition and is simply rude. Do not waste your $ 200 here.

This place brought me back to my high school art class where I made the most kick ass jewelry box that the world has ever seen! Ok… so it wasn’t that great, but ceramics is one of my favorite forms of art.
I recently stepped in to this place get a bowl for the SONO Park Chilipallooza and found out how awesome the SDCC is. They do lessons with unlimited supplies, the staff is friendly, and you get to keep whatever creations you come up with.
If you’re looking for a new hobby I challenge you to make a better jewelry box than I did.

I have been taking classes at SDCC on and off for several years. The atmosphere is very open for learning at all levels. If you have ever wanted to get your hands into clay, this is the place. Kouta, the owner and instructor, is a truly amazing artist. I don’t feel like I could get this experience and exposure anywhere else. The classes are always filled with great people too. You will find this to be a fun and rewarding atmosphere for working with clay.

If you want to learn ceramics. SDCC is where you want to go! The class is taught by Kouta Shimazaki who is also the owner. The class is super chill and he just makes ceramics so much fun !!
Personally, I thought everything I made was ugly. But Kouta always looked at everyones ceramics piece as «awesome» or a unique work of art. Everyone’s ceramics piece will be different and everyone goes at their own pace. Kouta knows this and he is very helpful with making sure all his students have fun.
I am definitely taking this class as many times as I can, and encouraging more people to take it too.
–JOM

This is the place to go if you want to learn ceramics. Kouta makes learning ceramics super fun. You can bring in wine or beer (or sho-​choo for Kouta) and enjoy it while playing with clay.
For $ 200 you get 8 lessons, 8 open studio sessions, and unlimited use of supplies when in class. You get to learn everything from making plates, to the handles on tea cups.
There is not very much structure to the class, and people move at their own pace. It’s art – so you can’t force it. You have to just let your talents unfold naturally.
Another thing: Kouta seems to be the cornerstone of the community there. Neighborhood kids stop by and chat. You’ll see him scolding them for not wearing a helmet while on their bicycle etc. He kind of has his finger on the pulse of his ‘hood in North Park. It’s cool. Especially if the parents are obviously not paying attention!

If you have always wanted to try your hand at the pottery wheel, this is the place to go. Kota, the owner, is cool, mellow and takes his art seriously while making sure you still have fun. It is almost like a local hangout for the students who come in and just pick up where they left off the last time they were in.
Kota will start you off by showing you how to work with the clay, then you will go onto the wheel almost immediately. He will occasionally break open a bottle of wine or beer (for which there is a money jar that you can add to — no pressure though) and everyone sits and drinks at the end of the class. The class is very free form because most people are at different stages in the learning process. He also hosts a chili cook-​off every year where students can sell the bowls they made. Purchasers of the bowls then try out all the chili, cornbread, dessert, etc. that neighbors/​students have brought and vote on it. He also has an annual Mother’s Day sale where students can sell their wares as well.
This is a great neighborhood class and is super fun too. It’s a good deal for the price and the comradarie.
If you’re hungry afterward, you can stop over at DeLuca’s pizza just next door.
Note: there is only street parking around the neighborhood, no actualy parking lot, but it should be pretty easy to find parking not far.