Updated January 2020
My kids love going to paint-your-own pottery studios, where you can paint the town (well, your project) pink, green or any other color under the sun. Your budding artists will see their artistic vision realized whether they paint on a ready-to-go ceramic pottery or a fresh canvas. Here are four paint your own pottery studios in Des Moines.
Five Monkeys, Inc.
Shops at Roosevelt • 4211 Chamberlain Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50312 • (515) 537-5652 • https://fivemonkeysinc.myshopify.com/
This ideally located paint your own pottery place in the Shops at Roosevelt offers up a wide variety do it yourself painting options, from mugs to bowls, figurines to picture frames. Best of all, you can drop in anytime during business hours to create your masterpiece, and when you’re done, they’ll glaze and fire it for you. Five Monkeys is an artists studio and gallery and hosts a number of other creative arts and crafts classes.
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 10:00 am -6:00 pm with Friday nights until 9:00 pm
Cost: Studio sessions are $6. Pottery prices vary, but start as low as $5.
Glazed Expressions
Swanson Depot • 8826 Swanson Boulevard • Clive, IA • (515) 224-4700
1315 SW Oralabor Road • Ankeny, IA 500023 • (515) 264-5600 • http://www.glazedexpressions.com/
Your young Picassos can paint any of the 250-300 pieces of pottery (called bisque) –– from kids’ banks to figurines. The studio glazes and fires their masterpiece in a kiln; a week later it’s a unicorn, it’s a pirate, it’s a ready-to-take home mug for grandma. After firing, pottery is food, microwave and dishwasher safe. In addition to pottery, Glazed Expressions offers glass fusing, canvas painting and candle making. If you’re looking for a creative party, parents can book a pottery, candle or canvas party.
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00 am-9:00 pm; Sunday 12:00 pm-5:00 pm
Cost: Studio Sessions for Kids (15 and under) $5.00. Pottery prices average $12-$35.
What is your favorite paint your own studio in Des Moines? Talk it up in the Comments below!
