Entry No. 57 — the Des Moines file — filed under: hands-on
Iowa Ceramics Center & Glass Studio
A community ceramics and warm-glass studio in the historic Cherry Building offering wheel throwing and fused-glass instruction. Its standout for couples is the 21+ Friday Nights Out, social BYOB workshops that pair a ceramic or warm-glass project with a relaxed evening crowd. The center is open Tuesday through Sunday and actively scheduling classes. For a Des Moines couple it's a genuine day trip, but the BYOB make-something-together format is harder to find closer to home.
The story
Cedar Rapids sits roughly two hours east of Des Moines, but inside Suite 117 of the historic Cherry Building is a setup that is surprisingly hard to replicate back in the capital: a non-profit community studio where you can bring a bottle of wine or a six-pack, sit down at a potters wheel, and spend a Friday evening getting covered in slip.
The Cherry Building provides the industrial backdrop—concrete floors, heavy timber frame, and tall windows—for a room packed with kilns, wheels, and glass-fusing tables. While the studio caters to local artists with four- to eight-week courses, its single-evening 21+ Friday Nights Out are designed specifically for people who want a low-commitment, hands-on session making warm-glass art or throwing wet clay.
What it's like
You will step into the Cherry Building, make your way to Suite 117, and set your BYOB drink on a heavy worktable. The evening starts with a quick demonstration by the studio instructors—either breaking down basic wheel-throwing physics or showing you how to cut and layer glass frit—before turning you loose to try it yourself. The atmosphere is casual, social, and messy, so wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty. Remember that wet clay and fused glass take days to dry, fire, and glaze in the kilns, meaning you will not be carrying your finished piece home that night; you will need to plan a pickup or arrange to have it sent back west.
The move: Book a 21+ Friday Nights Out, bring a bottle of wine, and make a fused-glass piece or throw on the wheel together in one social evening session.
📍 Before you go It's in Cedar Rapids, roughly a 2-hour drive; Friday Nights Out are 21+ and BYOB and run on specific dates, so check the schedule and register ahead.
- 📍 Cedar Rapids (~2 hrs east of Des Moines)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 329 10th Ave SE, Suite 117, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Communal Kitchen Museum — Stop in the Amana Colonies on your drive along I-80 to tour the only surviving communal kitchen from the area's 19th-century collective era.
- The Haunted Bookshop — Extend your eastern Iowa run by heading 20 miles south to Iowa City to browse thousands of rare volumes in an 1847 Victorian mansion.
- Louis Sullivan 'Jewel Box' Bank (Merchants' National Bank) — Break up the two-hour drive back to Des Moines with a stop in Grinnell to view Louis Sullivan's ornate terra-cotta bank interior.
Good to know
Where is the studio located?
It is inside the historic Cherry Building at 329 10th Ave SE, Suite 117, in Cedar Rapids—about a two-hour drive east from Des Moines.
What do I need to bring for a 21+ Friday Night Out?
Bring your beverage of choice (it is strictly BYOB and 21+) and wear practical clothing and shoes that can handle wet clay or glass dust.
Can I take my project home when the workshop ends?
No. All ceramic and fused-glass projects must undergo drying and kiln firing cycles, so your piece will stay at the studio to be processed before pickup or shipping.
Do I need to sign up in advance?
Yes. Friday Night Out sessions and single-day workshops operate on fixed dates with limited spots, so you should check their online schedule and register ahead.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · tourismcedarrapids.com · Yelp
last checked: 2026-06-23