Pittsburgh Art Studios Help People Create and Connect
- Kathleen Ganster
- Oct 31
- 5 min read
Creating with your own two hands is beneficial in many ways, according to several research studies. Some studies have found that creative work satisfies a basic need to make things, and creating items by hand can increase the sense of well-being, be relaxing, and reduce stress — to say nothing of the actual satisfaction of creating something. But studies aside, local crafting studio owners have seen firsthand how much people enjoy crafting.
“Arts are important to help people slow down. It’s a stress relief; you can escape reality and have the opportunity to be creative without pressure. And it’s not only about how creating makes you feel, but you also have something tangible to take home,” said Katie Petrovich, owner of Katie’s Clay Studio.
Creating can also be confidence-building, Petrovich said. “The first time that someone works on a pottery wheel—they take a ball of clay and turn it into something usable—that can really help you gain confidence!”
Katie’s Clay is located in Gibsonia and houses the largest pottery selection in the region. “We have over 1,000 items in stock,” she said. The large, wide-open studio not only has pottery and stoneware for painting, but also pottery wheel throwing, glass art, clay hand-building, canvas painting, and tie-dyeing. There are regular events and classes, plus guests can host parties and get-togethers where everyone creates their own piece of artwork. “Creating together brings people together,” Petrovich said.
Tabatha Flanick opened Oakmont Candle Works in July 2019 because she wanted to establish a warm, cozy space where people could create their own candles. “I also wanted to hold classes and feature other handmade things for sale. And I wanted the candles to be cleaner, safer burning candles—that’s why we use 100% soy wax, all-cotton wicks, and our essential candle oils are as organic as we can get,” she said.
Hands-on artwork allows people to experience creating something, relax, and enjoy themselves. “They can just forget about everything and have fun,” she said. “Plus, you gain the appreciation of learning how things are made.”
Flanick offers classes, events, and private parties, plus you can walk in and create on the spot. With the holidays coming, she will be offering numerous classes. Additionally, she offers other handmade and unique gifts in her shop, including collaborations with other local artists.
To share creating with even more folks, Flanick recently introduced “Lumi,” her traveling wick wagon — a trailer to go out to events and offer classes around the area. “I say it is my shop shrunk down into a trailer,” she said. “And she is booking up fast.”
Flanick’s family had a furniture shop when she was growing up, so she wanted to create the same cozy feeling in her own shop. “I loved running around there as a kid. My shop is a place where I love people to come in, and whether it be a scent or a style, it brings them back to a memory,” she said. “I love all the stories that we hear.”
Places like Candle Works are important, Flanick said. “Art brings out people’s talents—some of which they don’t even know they have. Whether it be making a candle, singing a tune, dancing, painting—art has so many ways that lead to magical things that happen. I love that everybody’s art is different.”
Studio Forget-Me-Not is dedicated to making art accessible for everyone. “Our programming is specifically designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. That focus allows us to create an environment that is supportive, adaptive, and empowering for our artists,” said Laura Stuart, marketing program supervisor.
“However, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. The public is always welcome to visit, shop, and connect with our artists. Community members can purchase their artwork, stop in to say hello, volunteer in the shop, or even collaborate creatively. We believe that true inclusion doesn’t just mean being in the same space—it means building relationships, sharing experiences, and lifting each other up.”
Stuart stressed the sense of community that studios help create. “They’re places where people come together, explore ideas side by side, and delight in the process of creating—not just the end result. It’s a much-needed distraction from the pressures of everyday life,” she said. “At Studio Forget-Me-Not, the studio space is more than a place to make art—it’s a place to make connections. Our students form meaningful friendships. They go out to lunch together after class. They celebrate each other’s birthdays. They become each other’s community.”
The Carnegie studio is a special place. “You really have to experience it to understand. The moment you walk through our doors, you feel the freedom, joy, color, and creative energy. Our studio is full of laughter, music, and the expressive buzz of people making art on their own terms,” Stuart said.
And while art projects are important, it is much more than just the creation. “We always seek growth—not just in artistic skill, but in confidence, communication, and meaningful connection. And what’s even more special is that the growth goes both ways. Our students learn from us, and we learn from them. We create, teach, and grow—together,” Stuart said.
Blake Anthony, owner and lead technician of Pittsburgh Pottery, also spoke of the value of creating. “The arts connect people to creativity, expression, and community in a way few other things can. They give people an outlet to slow down, use their hands, and create something meaningful. In a world where we are often rushed and glued to screens, the arts provide balance and a way to tap into our human need to make, share, and connect,” he said.
Anthony continued, “Studios like Pittsburgh Pottery give people access to the arts who might not otherwise have the tools, space, or know-how. We make pottery approachable to beginners while also supporting more experienced artists. Beyond being a teaching studio, we’re a community hub where people come together to learn, create, and build friendships. We also keep important craft traditions alive while making them relevant to today’s world.”
Art studios are truly for everyone, Anthony said. “At Pittsburgh Pottery, we bring both expertise and playfulness. Our classes are relaxed, social, and hands-on—you don’t just watch, you get messy and make something from start to finish. We host everything from date-night pottery to in-depth wheel-throwing courses, so there’s truly something for everyone.”
Pittsburgh Pottery connects with other professionals as well. “On top of that, our production pottery and kiln repair services give us a deeper connection to the ceramics world, which makes us unique compared to most community studios. People often say they feel instantly welcome when they walk in the door, and that mix of professionalism, creativity, and fun is what sets us apart,” Anthony said.
For more information on the above studios:
Katie’s Clay: https://katiesclaystudio.com/ or 724-502-4700
Oakmont Candle Works: https://www.oakmontcandleworks.com/ or 412-435-6186
Studio Forget- Me- Not: https://www.studioforgetmenot.org/ or lstuart@nfhcs.org
Pittsburgh Pottery: https://pittsburghpottery.com/ or 412-440-3024
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