A quarter-century after buying a decaying church, Union Project in Pittsburgh has evolved into a regionally recognized center for ceramics and a local community hub.
Learn How to Make Your Own Ceramics at Union Project in Pittsburgh
Union Project is located at the crossroads of several East End neighborhoods — an appropriate place for a building that represents the convergence of art and community. The Highland Park-based nonprofit, established in a repurposed, historical church, has evolved into a hub for ceramic artists, students, and community members at large to practice, study, purchase, and appreciate ceramics.
The church, which dates to the early 20th century, has been home to two congregations. The first was Presbyterian, reflected in the architectural style of the building; the second was Baptist. Membership dwindled over the years, with the building falling into disrepair by the 1990s. The Pittsburgh Leadership Project bought the building in Union Project’s name in 2001, paying $145,000 for it; the Union Project then organized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and began upgrades including an extensive stained glass renovation project — an effort that taught hundreds of community members how to restore stained glass (and saved the organization more than a million dollars in the process).
A New Life for a Stunning Building
“Our goal was to save this beautiful old building and use it to benefit people’s lives and build a more inclusive community,” says Jeffrey Dorsey, Union Project’s executive director. “Our mission has always been focused on helping people learn skills that can grow into careers. We’ve incubated the equivalent of 150 craft-based, full-time jobs … especially focused on supporting emerging artists.”
Today, the space offers more than 150 ceramics classes, workshops, and programs for over 4,500 professional artists and students of all ages. The calendar of events is consistently filled with a variety of classes and workshops, including courses aimed at beginners — such as Wheel 101, an introduction to the potter’s wheel, and Bring Your Own Bisqueware Glaze Galore, an exploration of glazing techniques — as well as seasonal offerings, such as winter’s Frosty the Snow Pal, an all-ages workshop focusing on sculpting and decorating a ceramic “snow pal.”
Pottery on the Move
Union Project also operates a wheel mobile, which travels around the county to offer clay workshops for schools, community centers, and events, primarily for underserved youth and their families.
Those looking to shop rather than create should mark their calendars for Union Project’s signature event, the Mother of All Pottery Sales; this year’s is slated for Saturday, May 9. The annual sale typically attracts more than a thousand people and last year led to more than $63,000 in sales to Union Project artists. (The nonprofit also holds winter pop-up sales.)
Union Project especially commits to serving the diverse neighborhoods in proximity to the building; Dorsey notes it is easily accessible on foot, bicycle, or by public transportation for many East Enders. “We’re located in a pretty incredible ecosystem of arts and craft-based organizations,” says Dorsey.
Expanding for the Future
The slow-but-steady evolution of Union Project over the past 25 years continues today. In early 2026, to meet the increasing demand for its programs, Union Project implemented the first phase of a three-year plan, renovating the 3,000 square feet of its Great Hall — formerly used for events — into additional space for ceramics. “We’ve divided the space with modular walls to create two new ceramic classrooms and a gallery space, with plans to add a glazing studio and additional kilns in future years,” says Dorsey.
“We’re becoming the most comprehensive ceramics center in the region,” he adds. “That is our identity now. When you come here, we want you to be able to do all things clay, and we want everyone to have access. Even if you’ve never done it before, we want you to have the opportunity to try it. We’ve always been one of Pittsburgh’s best-kept secrets, but we want everyone to know about us now.”
Story by Hilary Daninhirsch
Photography by Justin Merriman