Cafe Gratitude in Venice is a wildly popular plant-based restaurant known for its delectable cuisine and charming setting. The eatery recently added a unique and creative experience to its offerings—Art of Pottery with artist Nataliya Rogachkina of Handmade in Venice Beach. This beginner-friendly workshop invites guests to delve into the world of ceramics, crafting personalized pieces in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere. My husband and I had the opportunity to attend one of these workshops, and I thought it was a delightful experience. Here’s my review of this hands-on ceramics workshop. 

Nataliya ​​Rogachkina’s ceramics journey started with taking a wheel throwing class on weeknights after spending her days at a strategy job at a technology company.  What began as a hobby has grown into Handmade in Venice Beach, a brand behind Nataliya’s art and community. Her two-hour ceramics workshop includes guidance, making it accessible to both beginners (like me) and experienced potters. 

The workshop began with a demonstration by Nataliya. She taught us two hand-building techniques—coiling and pinching. We were encouraged to explore our imagination and craft distinctive pieces, from functional pieces such as mugs and bowls to decorative sculptures. During the creative session, we could also indulge in Cafe Gratitude’s renowned plant-based cuisine and refreshing beverages. Lastly, the workshop also included time for decorating our pieces with stamps, paint, and textures, ensuring everyone left with a truly one-of-a-kind piece. 

“I intentionally designed my workshops in a way that allows people to get immersed in art and conversation vs. listening to me explain something step-by-step the entire time,” said Nataliya Rogachkina. “I do a quick demo and overview initially and then provide hands-on help where needed throughout the workshop. The workshops are 2-2.5 hours, where the first part is spent working with clay and making a shape, and the second is for decorating with color, shapes, textures, etc. Participants don’t have to worry about the pace—everyone works at their speed. You can also create anything you would like. I have seen it all—from more conventional mug and bowl shapes to intricate sculptural pieces!” 

Overall, this ceramics workshop at Cafe Gratitude was a fun and engaging experience. Nataliya is a passionate and knowledgeable instructor who created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The clay was of high quality, and there was a wide variety of tools and glazes. Moreover, the serene ambiance of Cafe Gratitude and the therapeutic nature of pottery helped craft a calming and enjoyable evening. The hands-on nature of this ceramics workshop, combined with the focus on creativity, helped me relax and enjoy the moment. I highly recommend this workshop for anyone who enjoys working with their hands and wants to explore their artistry. It’s an intriguing and rewarding way to spend an evening, and you’ll leave with a beautiful piece of pottery to show for it! 

“I have a new class launching this month, where I will bring pre-made ceramics and go in-depth about different glazing tips and techniques, which is more limited when you are working with raw clay in most of my workshops. Glazing and colors are how I love expressing myself in ceramics, so this workshop is very special. I hope there is interest in something like that! I see my workshops as a social experience facilitated through the art and environment my hospitality partners, such as Cafe Gratitude, create. So I am always thinking about what else we can bring to be part of the experience, whether it’s an activity or a product. If any of Westside Voice’s readers have ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out!” concluded Rogachkina.