Paint Your Own Pottery Studio and Clay Handbuilding Studio at ZACC

Open to the public 12-6pm Monday through Saturday!

Painting pottery is a great idea for special occasions. It's also a wonderful activity anytime. Missoula's only paint your own pottery studio is located at the community art center (ZACC). It has a great staff and wonderful selection of ceramic objects to choose from. Friends and family alike will treasure pieces that are personalized by you.

Handbuilding is really fun. We have red and white clay from Helena that you may sculpt and mold to your hearts desire and we will fire it for you. Then, you come back to glaze it and we fire it again. Your cost: $10 per chunk. A steal. Bring a friend in during our open hours. We have staff and supplies! We've seen mugs, candleholders, wall pieces, vases, plates, wild sculptures, and beautiful frames. What will you create?

What exactly is paint your own pottery?
Come on down to find out! Create one of a kind artwork that you can eat off! Make fantastic gifts for friends and family, or splurge and paint a plate to show off at your next party. Painting pottery is a great way to spend a rainy afternoon or as an excuse to get the gang together for a few drinks, rent out the studio for a private party and some laughs.

Drop in. Be artistic. Have a party.
Are you business that wants to bring in your employees to create personalized mugs for the office? We have been mugs for your poker group. We've seen fraternities and sororities celebrate here for christmas parties. Bring in the kids. We offer a Ladies Night every Second Saturday and we can customize themes for private parties or a date night out.

So now that I know what it is… how do I do it?
First, pick out your piece of unpainted pottery from many different shapes and styles we have in stock. We also have seasonal items and you can special order. Use pencils to sketch designs on scrap paper or the piece itself. You can also just dive in and paint! Then, choose your colors from our rainbow of bright and natural glazes and start creating.

Okay, my piece is done. Now what?
Once you are done painting your piece, leave it and we’ll “clear glaze” and fire it in our kiln. In a week you can come to the center and pick up your completed artwork!

Cool! What else should I know?
Your piece is food safe and dishwasher safe! However, we don't recommend putting your piece in the dishwasher or the oven. Ceramic is a heat conductor and it gets hot, sometimes the colors will fade as well over time with dishwasher use.

Share your artwork with friends and family! Pottery makes great keepsakes and awesome presents. Come back and create more works of unique, personal art soon!

(Find yourself here a lot? Become a member. Our members get 15% off the pottery and handbuilding studio year round!)

MENTORS:
Are you from Big Brothers Big Sisters, Missoula Youth Homes, the YWCA, Full Circle, MUD, Opportunity Resources, GUTS, or another another wonderful organization in Missoula?
YOU GET 30% OFF AT THE CENTER TO MAKE ART, PAINT POTTERY, FUSE GLASS, OR HAND-BUILD WITH WET CLAY! COME HAVE SOME FUN.