Higher Fire Clayspace & Gallery

San Jose, United States

5

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 408-295-5765
Website:
www.higherfirestudios.com
Address:
499 S Market St, San Jose, CA, 95113
Downtown
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.3 miConvention Center
0.3 miPaseo de San Antonio (NB)
0.4 miPaseo de San Antonio (SB)
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
By Appointment Only
No

Today

Today 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Open now
Local time (San Jose) 2:00 PM Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Higher Fire is both a teaching studio and contemporary ceramics gallery. Pottery wheel lessons as well as classes in sculpture and hand building are offered in many packages to suit a variety of schedules.

History

Established in 2010.

Dan Dermer has been working in clay since 1981, when he began making wheel-​thrown pottery at the age of 11. In the mid-2000’s, Dan learned production throwing methods from master potter, Jeff Brown, which helped him fill dinnerware orders those first few years. Success was also seen in working and wholesaling for a few galleries, all while selling work at weekend art shows and via his web site.

By 2009, Dan also found he still loved teaching more than anything. The new dream was for a downtown studio that would offer classes to the downtown community and a gallery of fine ceramic artwork to the world at large… also be a warm, inviting hangout for friends in the art community.

In mid-​2010, Higher Fire opened its doors in a gorgeous building in the city’s South First Arts District.

We now have 100+ members and 50 – 60 students at any given time — come join us!

Meet the Business Owner

Daniel D.

Business Owner

Everything about working with clay — the earthy aroma, the ability to shape it into beautiful forms, and the gorgeous and elusive glazes which adorn the finished product — have captivated Dan since childhood.

Born and raised in Los Gatos, Dan first learned how to throw pottery on the wheel at age 11, as one of the younger students at Blossom Hill Crafts — a local teaching studio and Los Gatos institution.

Though distracted by a career in high-​tech training for the last decade or so, Dan finally traded laptops and business travel for kilns and clay, and is now working full time as a potter making utilitarian and decorative vessels in the long tradition of American– and Asian-​influenced clay artists.

Dan’s present work includes ash-​glazed stoneware and porcelain, oxblood red and flambé glazed decorative and functional porcelain, as well as a variety of items for the table, including dinnerware in a variety of luscious glazes.

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20 reviews of Higher Fire Clayspace & Gallery

No registration required
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
We had a great work team event here on a Friday morning. Although my pottery skills turned out to be pretty terrible, everyone had a great time, and Dan and the team were very friendly and fun.
If you’re looking for a great team event, or are just interested in learning pottery, this is a great place!
Place rating: 5
Santa Clara, CA
Awesome place! The instructors are great and their variety of glazes is just fabulous! I wasn’t sure I could learn throwing a pot on a wheel in such short period of time, but I did.
I have done some pottery in the past and when I came to HigherFire, it was like Disneyland to me.
This place is worth every bit of the 5 stars it has received!
Place rating: 5
Mountain View, CA
8 months in, and I’m still in love with this place. I have finally made a couple of pieces that I positively love, and have salvaged pieces other people made, glazed them, they turned out awesome…
The classes are great, the teachers are friendly and helpful, and the other members are also quite a resource.
I think I’m addicted to the process.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
Higher fire is an amazing pottery studio! They have such a variety of clay, glazes, and classes for all levels! I took two classes with Shaun and David because they are the nicest, funniest, most wonderful ceramics instructors of all time. I cannot get enough of either of them. Shaun usually does most of the «demoing» of the daily creations and David will usually walk around helping other students. I have never had so much fun learning how to make bowls and mugs and plates! These two teachers are worth it just for the experience. In fact, when you come in to trim a pot or glaze something outside of class time, other instructors are usually there and they are so nice and willing to help you out if you need anything. Highly recommended to come here and learn what ceramics is all about!
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
A great place and a great community.
Instructors are great, and all the members are helpful and friendly. Everyone there is supportive of one another. Sure, there are different personalities (of which I am one! lol) but totally respectful and anti-​drama. First Friday and last-​class potlucks really add to the family feel of the experience.
I know many people like the Sunnyvale studio, but when I looked at the cost, I was astounded. $ 30 for 4 hours, versus $ 120 for all month unlimited, and that includes taking a class once a week! And members get key-​cards, so you can basically come in anytime of the day.
I was just planning on taking a class, but as my instructor said «You will be a member. You are showing all the signs!». I won’t say pottery is ‘relaxing’ but it does make you focus and forget all the other stuff going on that you usually worry about!
Place rating: 5
Cupertino, CA
Higher Fire offers a great learning environment with friendly instructors, members and students, ready to help and share their love of pottery! The owner/​instructor Dan has created an inviting and welcoming place to learn and create unique, useful, food-​safe pottery. Am taking the six-​week beginner’s class with a friend and we’re enjoying it so much! Have made tea cups, a vase and a cream pitcher. The instruction is excellent. For beginners with unpredictable schedules, the studio offers the flexibility of attending a makeup session later in the week so you don’t fall behind, a huge plus! My friend and I are planning to take another class next session. Higher Fire also has a gallery displaying unique pieces for sale by members. If you have any interest in pottery or are going to the South First Friday Art Walk, stop by and check out Higher Fire.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
I’ve been a member here for several months and I’ve taken a ton of the classes. This is such a fun place! Dan and the staff are always coming up with new and interesting classes so I’m always learning new stuff, and the staff and other members are always super friendly and helpful when I need some advice. As a member, I can access the studio at any time to work on my projects. I’ve made tons of mugs, vases, bowls, and other stuff to keep and give as gifts. I started here as a total beginner, and after just a short time I was making stuff on my own. This place is truly a gem.
Place rating: 5
Sunnyvale, CA
I really enjoyed the mini pottery wheel workshop with my friends yesterday. It was so much fun! Dan and Erik are really cool teachers. Such a very friendly environment.
I love to do it again!
Place rating: 5
Santa Clara, CA
Higher Fire is one of the best kept secrets in downtown San Jose ! I took a beginners class with my son. It was a total blast. Everyone gets a wheel and gets to throw clay, glaze and do other fun stuff. It was a great father-​son activity and a relaxing way to spend a Saturday morning. The owner Dan, studio members/​instructors (Joyce, Stacey, …) are all very friendly and helpful. Highly recommended !!!
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
I used to go to a pottery studio in Chicago and after moved to the bay area, I wanted to continue the learning so I signed up for a class with Higher Fire. It is just as good as everyone said on Unilocal.My instructor Erik is super knowledgeable and friendly. With his way of teaching, I finally understand how to center a piece on the wheel. They offer a wide variety of glaze and the Raku glaze firing is quite an experience! I just signed up for another class and I would definitely recommend Higher Fire to anyone who’s interested!
ERIK IS DA BEST!!!
Christina is awesome too :)
Place rating: 5
Sunnyvale, CA
A vibrant group of friends and myself attended a session to celebrate our friend’s birthday! We had so much fun! Dan the owner was very patient with us; believe me when I say that we were a loud and excited bunch :)
Dan and Erik taught us all we needed to know and at the end, we were each able to produce a bowl and several plates. It was an amazing experience and we are still talking about it. You should definitely check it out; I wish that I could give more than five stars.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
I can’t say enough about Higher Fire. I took an intro wheel class in the spring and yesterday did the 2−2−2 session with my mom, sister and niece for my sister’s 40th bday. The spring class was so fun. I would highly suggest if you have the time to practice to upgrade the class for your own clay and additional studio time… it is well worth it! Stacy taught the spring class and he was very good at instruction. Eric taught the 2−2−2 session and he is great with beginners; my mom and sister really praise how patience and fun he was… and Eric, knowing I had done the earlier class, pushed me to do better. :)
Even better still, during the times I came to practice, not only the teachers are great, but pretty much anyone who is a member there is super friendly and kind, always willing to help you out, give you a pointer/​tip or two. I’ve never been to an art studio where others are so nice and help you out; most places everyone keeps to themselves on their own work. It’s a great place for learning and having fun too.
I did the intro 1 month membership after the class, but sadly didn’t get full use out of it because I had to work late/​weekends that month. But I’m really hoping to get the membership sometime soon! It is SO worth it!
Anyone who just wants something fun to try, go check it out! You won’t regret it!
P. S. Don’t worry about how your pieces look at the beginning… glaze fixes a world of trouble. :D
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
My boyfriend and I signed up for the beginner 6-​week pottery wheel class ($ 199) with Erik (and Stacy, who was also there on Saturdays to help out). Mind you, we were complete newbs on throwing pottery. But at the end, we were able to take home tons of gorgeous glazed bowls, pots and mugs that we made from scratch (which btw, are perfect Mother’s/Father’s day presents for those who struggle for new gift ideas). Erik and Stacy were very helpful and approachable; they made sure everyone in class was in sync.
$ 199 may seem like a lot at first, but this includes all the clay that you’ll be using, plus firing costs & glazing. And you are paying to learn a new skill, not to spend on a brand new gadget or clothing that you’ll be tossing in a few years.
Their monthly membership is just $ 125, which gives you unlimited studio hours. And their giant bag of clay is less than $ 30, which includes firing costs & glazing. We really want to join the studio eventually, once our work schedule calms down.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
Great teachers, friendly atmosphere and a great outlet for creative and non creative folks!
Place rating: 4
Fremont, CA
I surprised my husband for Father’s Day with a two on one private lesson for learning pottery on the wheel. OUr instructor was Donna and she was a pleasure to work with. She spent an hour with us on the wheel and she was gentle and encouraging throughout the whole process especially since it was our first time. It was such a fun experience! The second hour we spent designing small plates with clay which was awesome. I personally wish we spent more time on the wheel, but overall it was a fun package to share with someone special! Would definitely recommend it :)
Place rating: 5
Mountain View, CA
I came here for a Unilocal event and can say that I’d love to take a class or two with a friend because the commute here from Mountain View needs a carpool in the evening. I’ve previously taken a clay class through adult education, but didn’t feel like that instructor offered much in the way of ideas, rather than just techniques and I was very dissatisfied with my results.
This place is way more professional and it looks like you can create some really nice pieces.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Although I did not end up making any pottery, the regulars who frequent this establishment along with the employees qualify this place for 5 stars any day!
Everybody is very sincere and helpful, some even took time from their pieces to give a short tour with some background information.
There is a small gallery of pieces which are also for sale which would really add to any home décor. So just browsing around and watching the artisans at work is enough in itself.
However, I do plan on taking their classes soon
Place rating: 5
Gilroy, CA
Beautiful workspace with lots of window light and ample storage for people who are in the midst of making things. I also loved the gallery area. So many beautiful pieces!
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
I just completed a 6-​week introductory class and had an absolute ball! I learned to throw, center clay, made press plates, adding handles to would-​be mugs, the learning was never ending and the results? I left with bowls, cups and plates! Christina was awesome! Learn something new today!
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
This place is awesome! I took my boyfriend here for his birthday for the 2 people 2 hours deal for $ 99. We got to make some really awesome stuff on the wheel and had a wonderful experience.
Both of us had taken ceramics in the past so this was a nice way to get back into it. The atmosphere was great and our instructor was very friendly. I would definitely like to go back again.