Walk into Fired Up Clay Co. at 5200 N. Mesa, Suite A106 on a Thursday morning and you might find a nine-year-old working on a complex project alongside a retired neighbor who has never touched clay. That is not a coincidence. It is what the studio was built to do.

Built by Hand, Built for Community

El Paso native Christian Villalobos spent months constructing the studio alongside partner Michelle Betts before opening the doors in January 2026. Every table, shelf, and counter was built by the two of them, which tells you something about how seriously they took what the space would feel like. The studio offers open studio time by the hour, monthly memberships, pottery classes, ceramics workshops, private events, kiln firing services, and clay sales. Whether you have never touched clay or you have been making for years and just need kiln access, there is a place for you here.

Villalobos describes the studio as more than pottery, and a single look around the room on a busy Saturday confirms it. Nine-year-old Oliver Perez, one of the first students, is already working on complex projects inspired by his favorite movie. Retirees, college students, grandparents, and children end up at adjacent wheels, talking across the work, building the kind of informal friendships that rarely happen anywhere else in daily life.

What the Studio Offers

Fired Up Clay Co. runs on a flexible schedule that fits into family life without requiring a strict commitment. The studio is open Thursday through Sunday, with Thursday hours from 10 AM to 6 PM, Friday from 11 AM to 7:30 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Hours may vary for workshops and special events, so it is worth checking ahead.

For families looking for something hands-on this summer and into back-to-school season, a pottery class is the kind of experience that sticks. Kids leave with something real they made themselves, and the process slows everything down in a way that is genuinely good for all ages.

Call (915) 353-9942 to ask about current class availability, or visit the Fired Up Clay Co. website for a full list of offerings, current hours, and how to book a session.