Reitz Ranch Center for Ceramic Education - Clarkdale, Arizona

Virgil Freeman

My friend was working out of this studio for awhile and spoke only good things of her experience and the other artists there. So many of us were excited to see her getting back into her craft and had pre-ordered some mugs that were going to be soda-fired from her. So my friend calls me and tells me the owner had kicked her out of the studio and unjustly terminated her membership and so she was unable to finish the mugs that I had ordered. I have known m-she's a wonderful kind person. She showed me a video that she took discretely taken the day the owner came in Screaming at her to get out! Shocked to see the video of my friend standing there, calm and trying to understand what was happening but the owner was being an absolute Tyrant. It was completely I Unprofessional, Manipulative and quite abusive, I can't believe someone like this is able to have a business! From what I understand, my friend paid fir a full membership and git kicked out before that was even fulfilled. When she asked for a rightful reimbursement, the owner threw $20 at her made some ridiculous comments about money. Not even close to what actually costs were incurred. My friend is a humanitarian that sends money aboard to help families that don't always have food,water basis, she even shared this information with the owner to let her know every little bit of money goes a long ways, and then she behaves like this!
I just read the reviews below, and yes the owner of this place definitely needs to let some light into her heart! Potters beware!!!

D. Brewer

Amazing studio filled with creativity & positive people looking to explore the process of creating art. I've learned a ton in the two classes I've taken and discovered the joy of creating pottery. The artists here run the gamut in experience but all are happy to share their knowledge and pay it forward.

Jesse Petery

After two short weeks, the owner abruptly and unrightfully terminated my membership for personal reasons that she never shared with me. It was UNFAIR and UNJUSTIFIED, leaving myself and other members very confused about what happened. I had been warned about getting “too close” to the owner, but had decided not to heed the warnings… and, well, here I am learning the lessons 🙂

All personal story aside, what I experienced was completely UNPROFESSIONAL. In the time that I was there, I paid $150 for a full month membership, bags of clay and other various glazes/waxes/etc. The owner kicked me out without finishing any of the pieces I had been working on, breaking some of my work, and leaving me with unfinished bisque ware that I will still need to finish at another establishment. There was ZERO accountability and too little reimbursement for an unfulfilled contract!

Seeing as my name was mentioned here in reviews, I feel compelled to raise my voice in the face of injustice. To clarify, I am not “very angry” at Sheryl Leigh-Devault, and in fact I keep her in my good prayers. Also, I haven’t asked anyone to leave negative reviews; it’s just not my character.

I’m giving two stars because of the good creative community I had the opportunity to collaborate with while I was there as well as the facilities. With compassion, I do wish to extend the warnings that I received for anyone who intends to live and work onsite to keep a healthy distance from the owner and her personal life.

Working in clay has helped shape my understanding of and capacity to let go, and for that I am grateful in unlikely situations such as this.

Victoria Tovar

Got a fraudulent charge on my card from this place never heard of it or even been in AZ

‼️‼️‼️‼️Reply 09/27 you are sadly mistaken I have never placed a phone call to your business and I wouldn’t go out my way to create multiple gmail accounts to write reviews ? to hurt your business on purpose you gave your explanation and ask if I could remove the review* I would of considered I’m very understanding * but then you insult me just proves what kind of business owner you truly are. I definitely wouldn’t recommend going to your business just by your inappropriate response your just as guilty as those so called scammers that tried to put money into your business what a joke.

But thank you Sheryl you as well because by what you wrote it's you who needs someone to touch your heart
Like you said everything ain't what it seems!!!!!!! let that sink in and all I can go off is the fraudulent charge I seen on my account from YOUR BUSINESS ‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

Hi Victoria~
Last Monday and Tuesday (Sept 25 & 26) my website underwent a "carding attack" - where a hacker or bots or whatever tried to push 240,070 charges through my site (until we switched the charging portion of it off) from what I was told, from Cash App. Luckily, my merchant account doesn't accept Cash app and all charges were denied. Whew. That's a lot of denial.

I spoke to almost 100 people with the same questions about the charges, and so many were so kind about what we were going through. But there was a woman who called who wouldn't let me speak and explain what I knew about the situation, and from looking at your other 1 star reviews, I can't help but wonder if it was you. She threatened to ruin my business, she'd come and destroy me and called me several names that are probably not allowable to put up here ... the "c" one was a little over the top, as I was only trying to explain the situation to you. I am a small business owner, my business is a small pottery studio in a rural area and these kinds of inaccurate reviews *can* hurt my business, even though there was no fraud committed and you weren't charged a thing. I wish you would consider taking this review down, although I'm guessing you won't. C'est la vie, non?

Anywho, I hope something or someone touches your heart and makes you the happiest woman alive. I can only imagine how painful your life must be to want to wish ruin on other folks. Best of luck to you, and just a hint -things aren't always what they appear to be. I wish you peace.
~Sheryl

Noelia Gomez

Reitz Ranch is a great place to work and play with dirt!! Sheryl has a fountain of information and is quite generous with it!! Highly recommend it to anyone!!

Hines “Luke” Metz

Friendly ceramic studio open to memberships. Mostly content reduction firing Irene but also soda firing at wood firing are available as well as medium medium high firing. Very good collection of equipment.

Robin Sykes

I have a charge on my card from this place, which I never heard of before. Thank God it was declined because I didn't have enough funds...please check your guest when using debit/credit cards to make sure it's them

Buck Mitchell

Awesome experience to just see the place and talk to the people there. Can't wait to play and make and use fire!