Painting
Paint your own pottery in Boise, ID!
POTTERY PAINTING FIELD TRIPS
Schedule a trip with your students, family group, business team or whatever all-star squad you can assemble and try out one of our Pottery Painting Packages.
Paint in studio or take the package to go and then bring the painting pieces back for us to fire. For more information, contact us at Ceramica or come on down and look at our selection.
Paint your own pottery at Ceramica Arthouse
We offer a wide variety of bisque ceramic sculptures, cups, bowls, plates, dishes, boxes, vases, and more! Choose your piece, then paint and decorate using numerous techniques and materials to make your pieces compelling and unique.
Come in and work on your own, bring in your friends, or book a party and enjoy learning from experienced staff on creative ways to make your works one of a kind.
How It Works
Step 1: Choose your undecorated piece of pottery from our wide selection. Each piece is priced on the bottom of the ware, which covers the cost of the piece, the glazing, and the firing.
Step 2: Paint your pottery with our in-house glazes. We carry a variety of colors to choose from, plus stamps, stencils, and plenty of ideas to get you inspired.
Step 3: Once your masterpiece is finished, leave your pottery with us at the studio. We will dip it in a clear glaze and fire it in our kilns.
Step 4: Come pick up your fired piece and enjoy!
FAQS About Painting Pottery at Ceramica
How do I paint ceramic pieces at Ceramica?
Painting pottery isn’t very different from painting on paper or canvas. Once you choose your piece, you’ll use our special ceramic paints, called underglaze. You apply underglaze with a paintbrush. We suggest applying 2-3 coats, letting the underglaze dry between coats. Most of our guests will use stroke and coat wonderglazes, but we may be able to provide additional materials on a case-by-case basis. Ask us for details.
Is painted pottery food safe? Is it dishwasher and microwave safe?
Yes, all our wonderglazes and clear glazing ensure that any functional pieces you paint will be food safe. Painted pottery is also microwave and dishwasher safe!
I don’t know how to paint; will I be able to ask for help?
Of course! Our staff is a talented group of trained artisans who are at the ready to assist you with making design choices, demonstrating techniques, and helping you with other painting needs as you experience them. We also have numerous examples here in the shop for you to get ideas and inspiration from.
Do you have to be a gifted or creative artist to paint pottery?
Absolutely not! Painting is a process that is unique to each individual. There is no wrong or right way to paint pottery, the goal is only that you enjoy yourself. We are there to back you up and make sure you learn a ton and enjoy the outcome. We encourage people of all ages and skill levels to take a shot and glaze their own piece with us.
How soon can I pick up my piece?
Pieces are available for pick up 7 days after the painting session. You are always welcome to stop by to check if your piece is ready earlier. However, to conserve resources, we fire only full kilns.
What happens if we don’t finish painting or need to come back to finish a piece?
We offer 2 hour slots, but if you do not finish painting in that time frame, you can return later for 1-2 hour session at no additional charge. Any additional time beyond this amount, we charge $5.00 finishing fee.
If I don’t finish my piece, what happens to this piece in between my first visit and follow up?
We will store your work in a locked cabinet until you return. We will guarantee that we will hold onto works for 30 days for your follow up.
What does “firing” mean?
Firing pottery means putting it into a kiln and heating it at a high temperature. This process melts the glaze until it becomes a glassy surface.
Empty Bowls
The Empty Bowls Event is a special event that happens each November through the Idaho Food Bank. Paint a bowl from Ceramica Arthouse and donate it to the food bank. Empty Bowls is a great way to give back to your community.