Corporate Team Building with a Creative Twist

Transform your next gathering into a hands-on pottery experience. Foster collaboration and spark innovation at our historic studio on the Niagara Escarpment

Why choose pottery for team building?

Step away from the screens and into our historic, functioning pottery studio. Since 1978, Queenston Pottery has been a cornerstone of craftsmanship in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Here, your team can disconnect from the digital world and reconnect through the tactile, meditative, and often hilarious process of creating with clay.

Located on scenic York Road, our studio offers a unique hillside property with lush gardens and an active gallery. It’s more than a workshop; it’s an escape to a place where time slows down, and creativity takes over.

Key Benefits

Sculpt Culture

Strengthen communication in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.

Spark Innovation

Tactile "right-brain" activities proven to unlock fresh perspectives.

Create a Legacy

Options to create a collaborative "Mission Piece" for your office space or wall.

The Kiln Reveal

The excitement continues weeks later when finished pieces are delivered to your office.

Experiences for Every Team

Studio Session

Individual & Collaborative Sculpting

Duration: 2 hours | Group Size: 8–16 people

The Vibe: Relaxed, conversational, and deeply creative.

The Activity: Each participant hand-sculpts two unique cups. Without the constraint of a traditional handle, these vessels serve as a perfect 360-degree canvas for personal expression, texture, and character.

The Collaboration: As the group works, we introduce the "Legacy Cup." This shared piece travels around the studio, and every team member adds one small sculpted detail or mark. It becomes a singular, textured record of the group’s collective creativity.

Includes: Individual instruction, all materials for two cups per person, the collaborative cup activity, professional glazing, and kiln firing.

Collaborate & Create

A permanent piece of company culture.

Duration: 2.5 hours | Group Size: 8–16 people

The Vibe: Focused, meaningful, and unified.

The Activity: In addition to sculpting one individual cup, the team collaborates on a large-scale ceramic tile or bowl. We guide the group to etch and sculpt symbols or keywords representing your company’s mission and values.

Includes: All materials, professional glazing, kiln firing, mounting advice for the office, and a permanent piece of "Company Culture" art.

Team Building & Clay Competitions

Fast, fun, and a little competitive

Duration: 2 hours | Group Size: 8–16 people

The Vibe: High-energy, hilarious, and competitive.

The Activity: A series of fast-paced, small-group "Design Sprints." Challenges include the Tallest Tower (structural integrity), Blind Sculpting (communication), and The Rapid Prototype.

Includes: Small-group coaching, "clay trophies" for winners, and high-impact team bonding.

The Studio Tour & Interactive Demo

Go behind the scenes

Duration: 1.5 hours | Group Size: 8–20 people

The Vibe: Educational, interactive, and inspiring.

The Activity: A behind-the-scenes look at our studio’s history and creative process, crafting pottery in Queenston since 1978. Watch a live pottery demonstration where we invite volunteers from your team to step up and try their hand at specific steps of the process!

Includes: Gallery access, interactive demo, Q&A, and a walk through our scenic hillside gardens.

“Wonderful night, great atmosphere, charcuterie board and wine was amazing. The instructors were kind and lovely. The workspace was large, bright and well organized.”

— N.L.

“Amazing experience. Lisa was extremely welcoming and friendly, and the shop is stunning. We had a great time creating our clay sculptures and would highly recommend this for an artistic activity in Niagara!”

— B.O.

“The team at Queenston was so warm and welcoming, and the experience was wonderful and lots of fun even for beginners!”

— C.M

What to Expect

What to Wear

We provide aprons, but pottery is a hands-on medium! Clay will easily wash off of clothing however some glazes can stain. We also recommend short nails to avoid unintended nicks and gouges in your artwork but of course isnt necessary.

The Process

Patience is part of the process. Pieces are dried, fired twice, and glazed, appearing in their final form for pickup or delivery in 6–10 weeks.

Add-Ons

Enhance your visit with additional pieces, local Niagara wine service, artisan charcuterie, or extra social time in our Escarpment gardens.

Ready to bring your team to Queenston Pottery?

Fill out the form below and we'll help you put together the right experience!

Prefer to talk it through first?
Call us at the studio at (905) 262-4196 or reach us on WhatsApp at (413) 427-4154. We're happy to help you find the right fit for your group.

FAQ’s

  • We host groups ranging from 4 to 16 participants. Our pricing is tiered to provide better value as your group size increases; please contact us for a specific quote based on your headcount.

  • We are located at 1648 York Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake.
    Look for the "Open Pottery" sign.

    • Gallery Parking: Two spots are available directly in front of the gallery.

    • Additional Parking: 3–4 cars can park diagonally along the road.

  • Yes, there is room for a small passenger bus to park along the road. We do not recommend driving a bus down our studio driveway.

  • Absolutely not! We provide all the professional instruction and encouragement needed to ensure everyone leaves with a piece they are proud of.

  • Wheel demonstrations or hands-on sessions are available as an "add-on" to our standard offerings. Because we have a limited number of wheels, the time required for this activity depends on your group size.

  • Please wear comfortable clothing. While our natural clay washes out easily, glaze can stain. If your experience includes a glazing session, we recommend wearing something you don't mind getting a little messy.

  • Our historic property has some limitations.
    The Upper Gallery is accessible; however, the studio involves a natural rock path and stairs. For guests with limited mobility, we can provide vehicle access down the driveway directly to the studio entrance with prior notice.

  • Yes! Once your pieces have gone through their final firing, our stoneware is fully functional, food-safe, and dishwasher-friendly.