What can you expect at Dock 6’s Paint Your Own Pottery Experience?
How it Works
Pick it
Select your bisque ware
Paint it
Get creative
Take it home
After we fire it for you
FAQ’s
Can I really just walk in or should I make a reservation?
Yes! We happily accept walk-ins, but you can also reserve a 2-hour time slot on this website! Reservation windows start at 10:30 am then 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4:30 pm. 4:30 pm reservations are only available M-F since we close earlier on Saturdays and Sundays.
We recommend reservations if you have more than 4 people in your group.
How long should I plan to visit?
This is largely dependent on what you plan to create and the level of detail, but in general, adults spend around 1-2 hours per piece while kids take 30 minutes to 1 hour.
What should I expect to pay?
Each piece of bisqueware is individually priced. They range $6-$60. The price will vary depending on size and if it’s handmade or not.
We also charge a $10 studio fee per person per session to cover the costs of glazing and firing.
What’s the difference between the handmade line of bisqueware and the standard line of bisqueware?
The handmade line of bisqueware was hand-thrown by the Dock 6 team right here in Minneapolis! Because it’s handmade, you’ll find variations from piece to piece, but that’s part of the charm. Handmade pieces are signed or marked with a Dock 6 stamp identifying them as handmade.
Our standard line of bisqueware is slipcast making each piece identical. These are not made by the Dock 6 team.
Is my project food safe?
Yes! Once fired, all of our glazes are food and beverage safe. They are also microwave and dishwasher safe.
Can I bring in outside food and beverages?
Snacks, soda, and sparkling water will be available for purchase in the gallery, but feel free to bring in your own adult beverages while you paint (if over 21, we check IDs)!
Can I make my own pottery?
No. However, Dock 6 Pottery’s Classroom just next door offers both wheel throwing and hand building classes if you are interested in making your own pottery from start to finish! Visit our website to learn more.
What happens to the piece(s) I glaze once I’m done?
Our staff will apply a coat of clear glassy glaze and fire it!
We’ll contact you with the information you gave us when you checked in to let you know when they’re ready to pick up. This should take about 1-3 weeks. It’ll be bagged with your name on it when you come back to pick it up!
What are the hours?
Monday-Friday 10am-7pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
You should plan to be finishing up with your project(s) at least 1/2 hour prior to closing
Oopsies Happen!
Re-dos and Refunds Policy
Sometimes there are glazing issues that happen that is no fault of the customer or the studio :(
When this happens we will offer you studio credit for the price of the piece. We will not offer monetary refunds on fired pieces.
The studio credit will be attached to the bag of finished pieces and can be used on your next visit!
About Us
In 1995, Dock 6 was a group of just four potters sharing space and expenses. Because the original studio could only be entered from a loading dock (number 6, to be exact), the potters aptly agreed to name themselves Dock 6 Pottery. Since then, the studio has moved several times and the four potters have gone their separate ways, but the name has stuck.
These days, Dock 6 employs between 30 and 40 people at any given time, consists of a gallery, classroom, production studio, and now a paint your own pottery experience!
This new experience allows for guests of all ages and abilities to participate in the ceramic process. First you choose from our selection of high quality bisqueware pieces. You can choose from our handmade line or our standard line. Next, personalize your piece by painting on your design using a wide variety of underglazes. Once you’re done, we will fire your piece in the kiln and it will be ready for you to pick up in a few days!
Kerry Brooks, Owner and Founder