welcome to Claylife

what we offer

ClayLife is a hand-building and sculpture studio in Ancoats, Manchester City Centre, creating unique clay experiences designed to inspire creativity, connection and confidence.

We do things a little differently here. You won’t find rows of pottery wheels, instead, our studio is all about creating unique sculptures, statement pieces, and functional art entirely by hand.

From our signature Life Sculpting experiences to playful, contemporary homeware and statement pieces, our workshops are thoughtfully designed to be welcoming, social and completely beginner-friendly. No experience needed, just come ready to get your hands dirty.

Join us at the ClayLife studio for a scheduled workshop or course, or book the space for your own private clay session (groups up to 20).

And while we now have a place to call home, ClayLife is still fully mobile. We continue to bring our workshops to workplaces, venues and events across Manchester and beyond.

workshops:

Join us in the ClayLife studio for our rotating programme of themed workshops and courses.

Private studio:

Book a private clay experience for you and your group in our Ancoats studio. Perfect for office doos, birthdays, hen parties, dates, celebrations or simply making something together.

Corporate workshops:

Creative team-building experiences at your workplace or chosen venue

Seated clay sculpture close up image with hands moulding the body

core values

Dedicated to fostering creativity, diversity, and empowerment through clay, we believe in the transformative power of artistic expression.

Our values revolve around promoting inclusivity, embracing uniqueness, and creating a safe space for artistic exploration.

We are committed to providing a platform where individuals can express themselves freely, break barriers, and celebrate artistic differences.

At Claylife, we believe that every creation tells a unique story and every artist has a voice worth hearing.

meet the team

Claylife Founder making a clay sausage during a session

Nina van Heeckeren

Founder and Host - VHVK

Nina has been sculpting since she was 5, her passion for clay has driven her whole career.

She specialises in the art of hand-building ceramics.

Nina places a spotlight on celebrating the female form and experiments with clay's structural potential.

Bea

Workshop Assistant

Bea is a multidisciplinary artist specialised in painting, photography and tattooing. She is a ray of sunshine and will gladly take her time with guests to guide creative process.

Paige

Executive Producer

With over 8 years of experience in Event Management, Marketing and Communications - Paige harbours strategic thinking paired with a passion for inclusivity and creative expression.

Lilly

Workshop Assistant

Influenced by nature, Lilly's passion for raw clay and texture resonates in her practice. Lilly brings vast knowledge to our workshops paired with a friendly warmth.