Amazing Art Studio is a great place to spend some time nurturing your kids’ creative side. The largest of the do it yourself studios in the DC area, this space welcomes kids and adults to come try their hand at ceramics, glass fusing, mosaics and more.
Located a block off of the lake at the Washingtonian/Rio shopping and entertainment complex, Amazing Art Studio is a great place to undertake a creative project with your kids. The studio offers over a hundred different ceramic pieces for painting including a large selection of Disney characters. What kid doesn’t need a new Buzz Lightyear piggy bank?
The storefront space is large, clean and well lit. There are 12 spacious tables for painting and many finished project examples scattered around to get your creative juices flowing. Most pieces that will appeal to kids range from $15 to $30 depending on the size. There are no studio fees to paint.
On the day of our visit, my four year old daughter chose a Mickey Mouse figurine to paint. We were given a choice to use ceramic or acrylic paints. Ceramic paints need to be fired in the kiln and take a week to 10 days to be ready for pick up. Using acrylic paints allows kids to paint a project and take it home on the same day, a HUGE bonus for impatient little ones. The acrylics are sprayed with a finishing spray that causes the paint to dry shiny. Glitter can also be applied to projects painted with the acrylics (note — ceramic pieces painted with acrylics are not food safe). The studio provided my daughter with a smock to cover up her clothing as acrylic paint does not come out of fabric.
In addition to ceramic and acrylic painting, Amazing Art Studio also has supplies for glass fusing and mosaic projects. The studio is open Monday through Wednesday from 10am to 8pm, Thursdays from 10 to 7, Friday and Saturday from 10 to 9 and Sundays from noon to 8pm. On select Friday evenings, families of 4 who paint 4 pieces get the cheapest one free. Saturdays are also bargain days with rotating 20% off deals for select merchandise throughout the store. See the website calendar of events for more specifics on these events.
Amazing Art Studio is available for birthday parties, baby showers and summer camps. Throughout the year they offer after school classes though there is no current schedule available. The studio is always open for drop in painting.
There are many kid friendly eateries located nearby the studio such as Guapo’s, Hamburger Hamlet and Starbucks. The Washingtonian Center has many places for entertaining kids to make a whole day out of your trip. Barnes and Noble, The Little Gym and an onsite playground are just a few of the diversions you can find nearby.
Amazing Art Studio is recommended by this OK family for kids ages 4 and up. Kids younger than this may enjoy the experience but at $20 a piece may not get enough out of it to make it worthwhile. We had a great experience there and will definitely return soon!