Things to Do in Coolidge

"From the first time I worked extensively with clay, I felt a connection to it, and a passion for it that has never waned," asserts Michelle Katz, owner of Desert Dragon Pottery. A ceramics artist for more than a quarter century, Katz harnesses her fine arts degree and aesthetic aptitude to teach students of all levels how to exercise their imaginations. Through a roster of classes, pupils explore the shapes of vases and plates, before leaving their finished works for Michelle to fire in her self-made, gas-fired car kiln. When not teaching, Katz often exhibits her work with pottery guild Arizona Clay Association, a collection of regional artists who share with the community their insights, masterpieces, and tips for creating life-like body doubles

Fun facilitators Monica and Gabor accelerate customers’ heartbeats with exhilarating motorcycle rentals through AZride.com. Gabor, a biker since the age of 14, started AZride by deciding to combine his cherished hobby with more than 20 years of collected industry experience. His infectious love for riding spread to Monica, AZride’s guest-relations expert, who personally tends to each customer’s reservations and special requests for a Batcycle. AZride's enthusiastic duo hosts customized and guided motorcycle tours across Arizona’s arid landscapes or equips customers to explore their surroundings with structured ride plans for private self-guided tours.

Sew from the Heart beats with owner Susie's passion for textiles and fashion cultivated during her more than 40 years as a seamstress. Together with husband Hank, a retired Air Force fighter pilot who traded brawny planes for delicate needles, she shares her love with the public via a menu of classes ranging from embroidery and quilting to garment creation. The husband-and-wife team teaches students sewing-machine and software use, and frequently leads workshops such as how to turn T-shirts into quilts and how to turn quilts into T-shirts for giants. Their spacious store also houses a seemingly endless array of sewing products, stocking kits with threads and fabrics or outfitting workshops with machines, books, and software.