About Us:

Artyard Studio has been providing a place where you and your children can explore many aspects of art and the creative process. We offer a variety of classes from which you may select. The studio is located just minutes from Buffalo, N.Y., on an historic property in the Village of Williamsville. The building, a turn of the century machine shop, was transformed nearly a century later into the private production studio of Thom Hooper, and into Artyard Studio classrooms. The circa 1861 home at the front of the property houses Thom’s wife’s shop, The Village Nail Boutique & Gifts, where his Bison Pottery and other handcrafted items are available. Along with Classes, Camps, and Special Workshops we have Pottery Gifts, and Studio Supplies available for all WNY Potters and enthusiasts.

Our studio specializes in teaching wheel-thrown pottery and offers instruction for all levels of experience. Classes are informal and are kept small to guarantee a wheel for every student. Each class is one-and-a-half to three hours long. Beginners get grounding in pottery fundamentals.  For many long-time students, Artyard Studio Pottery is their personal clay studio — a place to enjoy the clay, meet interesting people and observe the miracle of turning mud into functional objects.

History:

Since opening in 1999, Artyard Studio has been providing a place where you and your children can explore many aspects of art and the creative process. We offer a variety of art classes from which one may select. We have added a Gallery & Gift shop, and a new classroom allowing for NEW CLASSES and more studio time for both children and adults!Workshop lessons do change from session to session. Since 1987, we have developed many projects that stimulate creative thinking as well as personal artistic growth. We encourage our students to help in developing project ideas that are explored by the group. In addition, the techniques learned and the friendships found will create a positive learning experience.In order to allow you and your children to gain the special attention needed to nurture your artistic abilities, class size is limited to ten students. The individual attention that you will receive in our smaller class size setting will show in the artwork produced. Early registration is encouraged as students are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.An artist and teacher, Thom has been bringing informative and enriching classes to artist of all ages for many years. His past teaching positions include a 12 year appointment at U.B.'s Creative Craft Center, positions providing figure sculpture classes for Trinity Episcopal Church and clay classes for the Greater Buffalo Jewish Center. WDDSO. In addition, Thom acted as director of the Carnegie Art Center for 3 years, where he implemented and ran several successful art programs and brought many exciting gallery exhibits to the western New York area. Founding his own studio, he has since used his first hand experience as a talented potter and sculptor to assist artists in creating quality art work.We would like to take the time to thank you for your interest in Artyard Studio. We hope you choose to join us for a class or two, making us part of your child’s enrichment activities.