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Best Pottery Painting Classes For Kids In Pittsburgh

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With all of the technology that is becoming part of children's daily lives, how can classes such as pottery painting help children in Pittsburgh? The physiological makeup of the brain is divided into the left and right hemisphere and gifted children show an increased electrical activity in both hemispheres. While the left hemisphere (analytical and logical) can be developed through math, science and reading, the right hemisphere (creative, emotional perception and intuition) can be developed through art. Here are some places in and around Pittsburgh that offer pottery painting classes that allow children to create a work of art from start to finish. The pottery painting classes involve picking a piece (typically mug, cup, bowl, vase, etc.), painting the piece and kilning (heating) the finished product.

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Fired Up Pottery Studio
4151 Washington Road
McMurray, PA 15317
(724) 941-0302
www.firedupwithus.com

Upon walking into this studio, the energy and design inspire you to create something. Works of art line the shelves and children are busy at work on their projects while the friendly staff is readily available to assist. The kid-friendly Fired Up Pottery Studios is located in the Waterdam Centre on Washington Road just outside of the city and appointments or walk-ins are available. Although a variety of classes are available, the standard painting class involves picking a piece, painting it and picking up the finished product. During painting, the staff is available to provide direction and instructions but will not interfere with the creativity, and the piece can be picked up in seven days as the finished product is heated in house. Fired Up has all-inclusive pricing for the service including paint, brushes, object, instruction, clean up and kilning.

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Color Me Mine
5887 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(412) 421-2909
www.pittsburgh.colormemine.com‎

While the kids have a night out, the parents can too. Color Me Mine has a Kids Night Out which includes pottery painting class fun for two hours. All staff members have child care clearances, and the kids are kept at the table near the register to ensure supervision. The staff helps your kid paint while pizza, popcorn, movies and drinks are part of the activity. This is available Monday through Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., but reservations are requested at least 24 hours in advance.

Related: Best Ceramics Classes For Adults In Pittsburgh

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Kiln N Time
3801 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 687-0383
www.kilntime.com‎

The great thing about this class is that you can schedule it whenever you want and it includes creating and painting the piece. The hour wheel lesson works on centering, and the child picks two pieces to be fired. Bowls, mugs, plates and vases are popular. In three weeks, the child receives instructions and help to paint and glaze the product. The product is fired again and is ready in 10-12 days. This paint-your-own-pottery studio located in the Lawrenceville is striving to create art programs in and around the community.

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Carnegie Museum of Art
4400 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 622-3131
www.cmoa.org

Carnegie Museum of Art is family and child friendly and a great resource for pottery painting classes for kids in Pittsburgh. It provides a more in-depth study in a classroom setting, but class registration is required. The staff is friendly and helpful and all of the pottery and ceramics classes involve painting instruction. A special feature at this venue is Saturday art classes.

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Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
1047 Shady Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 361-0873
www.pittsburgharts.org

The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (PCA) offers family workshops in its course schedule. Its pottery classes for kids, which involve ceramics and painting the finished product, can be found online or by contacting the venue. The course schedules offer a classroom instruction environment dedicated to artistic expression in all forms. PCA uses its own galleries for artistic inspiration and to increase the student's knowledge to maintain a focus on the student's development. You can register for classes online, in person, by mail or through the phone. Financial aid is available, but be sure to register when you see the class you want so your child does not get wait listed.

Related: Best Fitness And Dance Studios In Pittsburgh

Diane Straka is a freelance writer whose work can be found on http://www.examiner.com/finance-in-pittsburgh/diane-straka

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