Art Attack

I love this place to paint! It’s a nice relaxing time to hang out with your friends or a date. They also have ladies night where ladies can only go, bring their own drinks (non-​alcoholic) and snacks! You can also win prizes!!! It’s quite a good time– I plan to do every first Friday on every month :)

One of the best pottery painting places in Albuquerque, but still some to be desired. 5 stars for available pieces and paints/​equipment, but their pricing is a little steep. You pay for your piece, then $ 5 to paint for 2 hours + $ 1.5 for each additional ½ hour on top of that– per person. They also say charge for excess paint usage but tell people they try not to do that any more (meaning they try not to charge? A little confusing). They also have pretty strict regulations about retuning to paint, if it’s not complete in 45 days they trash it. A really fun ace to go, but watching the clock for your 2 hour mark makes thinks a little anxious. If they must charge a paint fee I’d rather just $ 1 or $ 2 an hour, or a flat per paint session regardless of time. Would probably come here more often if that were the case.

So, I had a good time painting BUT this place is run pretty annoying. Every other word out of their mouth was «we charge extra if…» so I was kind of paranoid that I would be charged extra for every little thing. For example if there is ANY paint left in your little tray they charge you. I’ve been to other places like this in other states and they were nowhere near as nit-​picky. I get that you don’t want people wasting paint, just comes across pretty bad as a customer.
They have a pretty good selection of pieces to chose from. But of course the prices add up. You pay $ 5 per person to paint for 2 hours. And then you pay for your pieces on top of that (wednesdays are two painters for $ 5 though so luckily we went on a wednesday). I took my 3 year old today and she painted a little brontosaurs ($ 8) and I got her a tile too since they were cheap ($ 4). I painted a mini owl mug ($ 10). So your outing isn’t cheap, but it is fun. Just be prepared for them to list a million rules to you before you paint lol.

This is place that offers all kinds of different pottery, then you take it to the table, using their paints, and get to paint it yourself. All the prices are marked on the pottery (as different items cost more).
The Paint Selection:
There is an extraordinary amount of paint colors to chose from. And if you don’t have the color of paint you want? Ask the staff and as long as they aren’t too swamped, they may be able to mix it for you.
The Tools:
They offer a variety of paintbrushes, big and small for any painting need. They also have a palette where you will pour your paint unto. At the tables, they will go around changing the water (where you dip your brush when its time to change colors).
The Pottery Selection:
They have an extremely vast assortment of various pottery to paint. Ornaments, decorations, knick-​knacks, dishes, containers (pottery that comes with a lid to paint), vases, cool animals to paint, cookie jars, salt and pepper shakers, you name it — they’ve got it! I was in total awe of all the choices they had to offer.
How it all comes together:
Upon coming through the door, there is a white dry erase board letting you know when your pottery would be ready. There staff rotates through the tables ensuring you’ve got everything you need. They have instructions when you get in, giving you tips and important information about the pottery. At the end, you pay for the pottery you painted, and pay the «painter» fee which ranges on how long you were there painting. Then you come back on the designated time and date to pick up your pottery, which you just find on the shelf (its easier to find if you have a bunch of people with you because you can recognize their pottery too). Then, they wrap it up securely to ensure it does not break on your way home.
Overall, this is a wonderful place because the staff is friendly, attentive, and information. They have a system there and it works! Big, big fan!

If you have a child between the ages of four and 44, please go to Art Attack. I used to take my son when he was a little guy to the location in Nob Hill, and now he’s all grown up — but I still have a toothbrush holder he painted way back when and it is PRECIOUS to me. He painted «brush» on the side, and the ‘s’ is backwards. It kills me.
It is a travesty that the Nob Hill location was closed so many years ago. You would think all those art-​loving hippie liberal types could keep such a wonderful, creative place in business!
Thank Jeebus the location on San Mateo and Candelaria is still with us. I take my niece there, and I’m happy to say my son still loves it. You pay for the piece of raw pottery and a minimal painting fee (5 dollars for two hours, I believe), and then you get to use all their beautiful paints and (not so beautiful-​we bring our own) brushes. You can pick the piece up in a couple days after it has been fired and glazed.
The place itself is laid-​back and friendly. I highly recommend this as a fun family activity. It’s very relaxing to sit together and paint, and the keepsakes and memories you create will be with you for a long time.

I went here a while ago and painted some sushi plates. There was only one person working and she was okay. There are a lot of rules for this place, but I liked the selection of pottery there was. Not a fan of the time limit, but I get it. I’ll be visiting this place again soon when I have more time.