A new ceramics studio is opening in October 2022 in Zaandam, the Netherlands. After several months of renovation an old Huyndai showroom in Penningweg 91 has turned into a spacious, lightful art factory that accommodates a ceramic art and sculpting studio Atelier Ainoa, and screenprinting masters of Krijger Vormgave.

ainoa /ˈɑi̯.no.ɑ/

a Finnish word meaning
the only one, one of a kind, unique

Atelier Ainoa is specialised in guiding students to find their creativity and unique ways to express themselves. Learn the basic clay hand building techniques while working on your own ceramics project under the guidance of an experienced teacher.

Workshops are meant for testers who want to get a feeling of working with clay or just to enjoy a cosy, creative session in the atelier.

Open atelier sessions can be booked in 4 x 2.5 h flexible time slots. In the sessions, you can practice pinching, coil building and slab building techniques as well as the basic ceramics process from sculpting to glazing your work.

Small group size 4-8 persons, prices include materials, tools and firing service. More info via email ainoaoffice@gmail.com. Ask also about private workshops.

While the clay transforms into a ceramic art piece in the process of sculpting, drying, firing and glazing, the creator also goes through a change in her own mindset. The versatility of clay invites you to search your own path while respecting the surprises on a way – sometimes delightful ones, sometimes incidents you need to adapt to.

All options suit both beginners and more advanced students.

The teacher is Sanna Pöyhönen who first put her hands in clay as a teenager and after 30 years is still in love with the ceramics as an art medium.

Facilities of the ceramics studio

The studio is 30 m2 with 3.5 m high windows heading to South. The equipment includes tables, a sink, shelves, a clay slab roller, and various tools to process clay and apply glazings.

The kilns are located safely in a separate space.

We share a kitchen, a coffee room and a toilet with screen printing masters of Krijger Vormgave.

Firing service

You can rent our kiln for your own firing with 150 € per use or 60€ per one section. The measurements of the kiln are 60x60x90 cm. We have a selection of thermal shelves of various sizes to optimise usage of the space. Read more about the firing service here.

Ask available time slots via email ainoaoffice@gmail.com.