Spotlighting Lake Minnetonka's Hidden Artistic Gem

The west Metro’s best kept secret just might be The Clay Studio, operated by Orono Community Education and located inside the Discovery Center in Maple Plain, the studio 

The Clay Studio is open year-round and offers classes and ongoing guidance in hand building and wheel throwing for adults and youth. The studio is a dedicated space with quality equipment including: kick and electric wheels, a slab roller, an extruder, a multitude of glazes and electric and Raku kilns.

An upcoming adult class on wheel throwing begins Feb. 14th and will be taught by new instructor, Ed Francis.  

A lifelong resident of the area, Francis is making a return to his artistic background. During his time as a student at , Francis was honored with a National Scholastic Art Award for his work. He went on to earn his B.A. in art from the University of Iowa where he continued his focus on ceramics. 

In addition to his degree in art, Francis earned degrees in finance and marketing, and he currently works as a banker.  

“Ed is going to be an incredible asset to our clay studio," Gretchen Vandeputte, the Enrichment Coordinator for Orono Community Education, said. "He developed his talent at a young age and has strong skills in all aspects of working with clay.”  

Long-time instructor Jeremy Berger developed the curriculum currently being used in the Clay Studio. Berger holds a B.F.A. in Fine Arts and an Education degree from the University of Minnesota, and has been with the studio since 2004.  

Berger has his own clay business called Polar Bear Pottery, and in addition to periodically teaching classes is currently running open studios. He splits his time running open studios with the new Clay Studio assistant, Chris Hayes.  

“Our team of instructors is growing and we are excited about what we can offer to the community,” Vandeputte said.

The Discovery Center, located at 5050 Independence Street, is also home to a glass studio which offers classes and open studio time in both stained glass and fused glass.  

When Orono Community Education took over the operation of the Discovery Center in 2002, it became a Community Center which houses The Clay Studio, The Glass Studio, West Metro Dance and Discovery School of Music—as well as the Orono School Early Childhood programs and meeting spaces available for public rental.  

For more information on classes and programs call 952-449-8350 or go to www.orono.k12.mn.us/ops/ce.