Get Your Hands in Clay at Art After Hours at Granger Hotel

If your ideal night out includes something creative, a little meditative, and maybe a matcha in hand, this one’s for you. A new series called Art After Hours is launching in San Diego, and the first event is an intimate, hands-on ceramics workshop at the Granger Hotel in collaboration with JFiN Collective.

It’s the kind of midweek reset we didn’t know we needed.

Slow Down With the Art of Kurinuki

The evening is led by artist Josh Herman, founder of Tao of Clay, and centers around kurinuki, a Japanese technique that starts with a solid block of clay. Instead of shaping from the outside in, you carve your form out from the inside, hollowing and refining until a cup begins to emerge.

It’s tactile, intuitive, and surprisingly grounding. You’ll move through the process step by step – carving, shaping, adding texture – while leaning into the natural feel of the clay. No experience needed. Just show up ready to try something new.

And yes, you’ll leave with your own handcrafted cup, which will be professionally glazed and kiln-fired after the workshop and ready for pickup about two weeks later.

A Creative Night Out in the Heart of Downtown

The setting makes it even better. Hosted inside the stylish Granger Hotel, the evening blends art and atmosphere in a way that feels thoughtful but relaxed. Expect sushi, traditional matcha, and a small-group format that keeps things personal and immersive.

Josh’s approach draws from his ceramic studies in Japan, Midcentury Modern influences, and mindfulness practices rooted in Taoism. The vibe is reflective without being overly serious – more “get present and enjoy the process” than perfection-driven.

See you there!

We’ll be carving cups, sipping matcha, and pretending we’re at a tiny art residency for the night. Come get creative with us.

📆 Wednesday, April 8, 2026 | 6 PM – 8 PM
📍 964 Fifth Ave, San Diego
🎟️ Get tickets here
ℹ️ Visit their website here for more info

See you their, San Diego!