Youth Pottery Class Hosted by Quapaw Nation Family Services | Youth Program

Quapaw Nation Family Services | Youth Program is hosting a Youth Pottery Class that provides students with a hands-on creative experience while creating a meaningful Mother’s Day project.

This two-day class gives youth the opportunity to learn pottery techniques and create a personalized gift that reflects care, creativity, and appreciation. Activities like this support both skill-building and the value of giving through thoughtful, handmade work.

Pottery holds importance across many Native communities as both a practical skill and a form of artistic expression. Learning these techniques helps connect younger generations to traditions centered on creativity, patience, and craftsmanship.

Participants will work with instructor Betty Gaedtke in a supportive environment where they can learn foundational pottery skills. All materials will be provided, and no prior experience is needed.

Event Details

• Dates: April 13 and April 14, 2026

• Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Location: Suzy Moore Pottery Studio

• Address: 5681 S 630 Rd, Quapaw, OK 74363

  
  

Who Can Attend

This class is open to students in 5th grade through 12th grade.

What to Expect

• Hands-on pottery experience

• Guided instruction, Betty Gaedtke

• A finished Mother’s Day project to take home

• All supplies included

Supporting Culture and Knowledge Transfer

Programs like this support the continued sharing of knowledge across generations. In many Native communities, learning through hands-on experience—guided by artists, mentors, and community members—is an important way traditions are carried forward.

Creating a handmade Mother’s Day project also reflects values of respect, care, and connection to family—principles that are deeply rooted across Native communities.

Creative practices such as pottery help:

• Encourage the continuation of traditional and contemporary Native arts

• Build patience, focus, and craftsmanship

• Strengthen connections between youth, family, and community

Organizations like the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian recognize that Native art forms play a key role in preserving cultural knowledge. The First Nations Development Institute also highlights the importance of cultural practices in sustaining identity and passing knowledge to future generations.

Registration

Spots are limited to the first 10 students.

To sign up, please contact:

Kristen Key

(918) 325-2886

This event is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

For more information on community programs and events, visit the Quapaw Nation website.