Entry No. 43 — the Anchorage file — filed under: hands-on
Color Me Mine Anchorage
Anchorage's paint-your-own-pottery studio, where you pick a bisque piece off the shelf, glaze and paint it at your own pace, and leave it to be kiln-fired and picked up later. It's a franchise, but it's the standout low-stakes ceramic-painting option in town and runs adult-oriented evening sessions in addition to the daytime drop-in crowd. Open Tuesday through Saturday with reliable posted hours.
The story
Look past the national franchise logo on the strip-mall door at 8130 Old Seward Highway. In an urban stretch of South Anchorage dominated by light industrial spots and strip centers, this storefront fills a surprisingly specific niche: low-stakes, tactile creative play where nobody expects you to be an artist or hold a degree in fine art.
The premise is intentionally simple and stripped of pretense. You walk in, choose an unglazed bisque piece off the shelf—anything from mugs and soup bowls to decorative figurines—grab a palette, and paint at your own pace. There are no rigid instructors guiding every brushstroke, just tables stocked with underglazes, brushes, and sponges. It is one of the few spots in town that easily bridges daytime drop-ins with evening adult sessions.
Once you finish painting, your piece stays behind to go into the studio's on-site kiln, where high heat transforms chalky underglaze into a smooth, glossy coat. You walk out empty-handed on day one, which is part of the ritual—the real payoff happens when you return a few days later to retrieve a permanent piece you customized yourself.
What it's like
You walk into unit #106 on Old Seward Highway, where shelves of stark white ceramic bisque line the perimeter under bright studio lighting. The vibe shifts depending on when you show up: daytime hours lean toward family drop-ins, while late afternoon and evening sessions draw dates and quiet solo crafters spread out at shared tables. You choose your pottery, pick your glaze colors, and take a seat with paint brushes and water cups. Keep in mind that this is strictly a two-trip commitment—your finished work stays at the studio to be kiln-fired and must be picked up on a later date.
The move: Each pick a mug or bowl and spend a relaxed afternoon glazing them at the same table, then return a few days later to collect your fired pieces.
📍 Before you go Closed Sundays and Mondays; finished pieces must be left for firing and picked up later, so it's a two-trip activity.
- 📍 South Anchorage
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 8130 Old Seward Hwy #106, Anchorage, AK 99518
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Snow Blossom Acupuncture — Float Tank — Pair a quiet glazing session with a zero-gravity Epsom salt soak just two-tenths of a mile down Old Seward Highway.
- The Stranded Starfish — Swap ceramic glaze for glass cutting and copper foil at this hands-on stained glass studio located four-tenths of a mile away.
- Midnight Potter Studios — If painting pre-made ceramics makes you want to spin raw clay on a real wheel, head under two miles north to Jenny Ditto's studio.
- Dimond Skateland — Balance out your quiet painting session with classic quad skating down the street at South Anchorage's long-running roller rink.
Good to know
Where is Color Me Mine Anchorage located?
It is located in South Anchorage at 8130 Old Seward Hwy #106.
Can I take my painted ceramic piece home the same day?
No. All painted bisque must stay at the studio to be glazed and fired in the kiln, meaning you'll need to make a second trip a few days later to pick it up.
Do I need experience or a reservation to paint?
No experience is required, and drop-ins are welcome during regular open studio hours.
What days is the studio open?
Color Me Mine Anchorage is open Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sundays and Mondays. Be sure to double-check posted hours before going.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-23