Throwing Pottery at Studio Glob in Smithfield

Before Studio Glob in Smithfield had pottery wheels spinning or shelves stacked with handmade mugs, it existed as a running conversation between Will Stiles and his wife, Michelle Antelo. Both worked steady jobs that paid the bills but left little room for creativity. The solution, Stiles says, came from a shared pipe dream: a place where people could relax, try pottery without pressure, and make something tangible with their hands. “We had to drive an hour and a half into Massachusetts just to get on a wheel.” When he searched for “pottery studio near me,” the result was hard to ignore. “There was a gaping hole in the middle of Rhode Island, with Blackstone Valley as the center,” he says.

So instead of letting that empty space sit, they molded a solution – one built on spinning wheels, open access, and a whole lot of clay. Today, Studio Glob is a bright, welcoming creative space designed for beginners, hobbyists, and seasoned makers alike. The tone is intentionally playful with colorful, oversized globs covering the walls, inviting people to tap into their inner child. “We want to show that anyone can make ceramics,” Stiles says. “There is zero pressure to be an artisan. Your commitment level is entirely up to you. Pottery is for everyone.”

Building Studio Glob was a hands-on effort in every sense. The space required major repairs, from rebuilding walls to constructing shelves and tables. The couple spent nearly all their savings and worked around the clock to open in under a month. Early marketing was just as scrappy. Stiles stood on a nearby corner spinning a wooden sign that read, “Make pottery here.”

“People would come in and say, ‘We saw the guy with the arrow,’” he says.

I must admit, stepping through the door for class, I was a little nervous. Pottery feels like something people either know how to do or quietly avoid. Six wheels line the room, each with its own set of tools: a wire cutter, a sponge, and a wooden knife. It looks simple enough, until you sit down. Before I can second guess it, Stiles greets me and starts chatting like we’ve met before. The nerves fade quickly. He begins with a demo, walking our class through the basics. His hands move steadily as the clay rises into shape. Then it’s our turn. We start with a lump of cool clay pressed onto the spinning wheel. Centering comes first, and it’s more difficult than it looks. The clay wobbles and resists. I struggle at first, naturally. Mine leans and nearly collapses. Stiles moves around the room, offering small adjustments and steady encouragement. He repositions my hands and reminds us that mistakes are part of the process.

Then it clicks. The clay steadies. I press inward, then lift. The shape begins to rise. A rim forms. The walls stretch upward. My hands stay steady, and for a moment, everything else fades out. By the end of the class, I’ve made two small bowls. They’re not perfect, but they feel like an accomplishment.

Studio Glob is designed as a three-part experience. First, you take the class and throw your pieces. Then they’re fired in the kiln. A week or two later, you return to glaze, adding color and personality. Finally, you come back to pick them up, finished and ready to use. With new classes, equipment, and a growing team on the way, the Glob continues to evolve – but its mission remains rooted in access, joy, and connection. 375 Putnam Pike, Smithfield; StudioGlob.com