About Us
From the first call I made to Bellyfire with tons of questions all the way to the completion of my event, David and his entire staff were so kind, professional, and informative.
Jill Hudson, Google Review
Our Story
Nestled in the heart of Baton Rouge, BellyFire provides unique and enjoyable experiences for folks of all ages and skill levels, offering a haven for artistic expression and social gatherings. Our vision is to create a space that foster creativity and connection. Our passionate team of artists strive to make every visit fun and memorable. We pride ourselves on variety and accessibility, with an extensive collection of bisqueware ranging from whimsical children's items to elegant dinnerware, complemented by over 40 vibrant colors to spark endless creative possibilities.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, organizing a group event, or enjoying a spontaneous outing, our studio is the perfect space. At BellyFire, art is for everyone—seasoned artists and first-timers alike can rely on our friendly staff for guidance and encouragement. Join us to unleash your imagination, embrace your individuality, and create masterpieces while making lasting memories. We can’t wait to see what you’ll create!
Creation Over Consumption
Today, there is no shortage of "recreation". From social media to streaming, our brains are fed a slow-drip dopamine diet. We have settled for a cheapened recreation. As humans, we long for something deeper; something real. Pottery is that! It helps you to process emotions, embrace ambiguity, and self-discover. It is truly rewarding and fulfilling!
Community
Like anything good, it all comes down to the people. The people at BellyFire make us special. Whether you are a fledgling potter dipping your toes in, or a ceramics wizard, you will be met with patience, kindness, and all the tools and support needed to succeed AND have fun.
Fun
Our mission is to provide a safe, fun, and creative environment for people of all skill levels to experience the timeless art of pottery. We're here to help you get inspired and create.
FAQs
If it's your first time at BellyFire and you don't have ceramics experience, we recommend taking a class first. However, if you have prior experience, you're welcome to join us, even if you haven't taken a class at BellyFire before. Just let our staff know it's your first time, and they'll be happy to assist you. Feel free to email or call us for more information.
Yes, we do! We accept low fire outside pieces for firing. Half kilns cost $35, and full kilns cost $55.
With the exception of a la carte firings, We only allow clay purchased at BellyFire to be painted and fired in our studio. We offer clay available for purchase at the studio.
With the exception of a la carte firings, We only allow clay purchased at BellyFire to be painted and fired in our studio. We offer clay available for purchase at the studio.
Expect to get messy! We provide aprons, but wear comfortable, washable clothing and closed-toed shoes. We recommend tying back long hair and removing hand and wrist jewelry.
Unfortunately, we don't offer refunds or instructor-led makeup classes due to class size limitations. However, you can make up one missed class per four-week session with two hours of studio time.
We provide all necessary tools, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
Only clay purchased at BellyFire can be used and fired in our studio, unless authorized by our managers. This ensures proper firing and glazing compatibility.
Yes! We have so many different options. We offer private classes for 1-35 people.
Unfortunately, no. For safety reasons, pets aren't allowed inside the studio unless they are legal service animals. Outdoor seating is available for pet owners.
Yes, pottery made with our clays and glazes is microwave, dishwasher, and food safe.
Please allow drying and firing time. Pieces are ready for pick up 10 days after completion, and will be held until the next day of the following month from the point at which the piece was made/painted.
Glaze and firing fees are included in the cost of bisqueware pieces. For pieces made in classes, there's a $5 materials fee per piece if you wish to glaze and have us clear coat and refire.
Yes, food and drinks are allowed. However, greasy food is not recommended as it can interfere with the kiln glaze and cause the glaze to not adhere to the piece. Our classes and studio are BYOB, except for family classes.
Our Team
Founder
David Rollins
Hi! My name is David and I am an instructor and the owner of BellyFire! I've been throwing on the wheel for over 10 years and have taught for over four. I am a technical and precise wheel thrower, but also enjoy working in abstraction. I like to play with texture, scale, and functionality. My favorite pieces to make are large vessels and smokeware.
Manager/Instructor
Ella King
Hey! My name is Ella and I am our head instructor/ BOH manager. I have been working at Bellyfire since its opening, and have loved watching it grow! My art style is influenced by nature, and my favorite medium is using watercolor on ceramic! My favorite class is our technique series because I love helping people become comfortable on the wheel.
Fun fact: I’ve taught over 1000 people to throw!
Instructor
Woods Bass
Howdy! My name is Woods I’m a junior at LSU, and been doing ceramics for almost two years. I love ceramics because it’s a great creative outlet as well as being very therapeutic.
I like to create things that look organic, handmade, and out of this world. As an instructor I like to make sure everyone is having fun and gets to utilize and enjoy what they make! No matter what you’ll leave with something!
Instructor
Cole Clark
Hey, I'm Cole! I am a BFA Studio Arts major at LSU concentrating in ceramics. My work recently involves lots of coil building and surrealist sculpting as well a continued interest in tea wares thrown on the wheel.
When taking a class with me, you can expect an encouraging instructor who will talk you through each step individually as you come across personal road blocks. I love to dive into the reasons why something may have gone wrong so you can better understand the process for the future!
Our Team
Some of Our Happy Customers
