A private event is a two-hour reservation held before or after regular studio hours. Your group has the studio to itself, with a dedicated Event Lead and additional team support based on the size of your group.

Private events are especially popular for adults, tweens, teens, teams, corporate groups, showers, celebrations, and creative nights out. Younger makers ages 5 and up are also welcome. Because Walls of Clay is a working creative studio rather than a traditional event venue, most attendees are expected to participate in a creative project.

Private events are normally available Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Tuesday events may be scheduled for any approved two-hour time because the studio is closed. Private events are not available on Friday or Saturday because the studio is open late.

You are welcome to contact us before booking. Other times may be possible depending on studio hours, staffing, group size, and the time needed for setup and closing, but availability is not guaranteed.

Private events are two hours. The event begins and ends at the reserved time, even if some guests arrive late.

Reserve and pay the non-refundable deposit through our Private Event booking page. Your reservation is not confirmed until checkout is complete.

Please email your final headcount at least three business days before the event. We use the confirmed headcount to plan seating, supplies, and staffing.

The reservation holder may arrive up to 15 minutes early to place food or simple decorations. Guests should arrive at the scheduled start time. Early setup does not change the reserved event time.

We can seat up to 30 makers in the front studio. Up to 8 additional makers may be seated in the party room, for a maximum of 38 makers. Groups larger than 30 will not all be seated in the same room.

A maximum of two non-makers may attend. We are a creative studio, and the private-event experience is planned around guests creating together.

We prefer to keep the group, food, drinks, and belongings together in the front studio. If the front studio is full, the party room may be used for food or belongings. Space for food and decorations becomes more limited as the group approaches maximum capacity.

Pottery painting, stoneware, glass fusing, and candle making are available. Pottery painting is usually the star of the show because it works well for mixed ages, experience levels, and larger groups.

Stoneware and glass fusing require more instruction, and large groups may need more teaching time than a regular private event allows. If most or all of your group wants a stoneware-only or glass-fusing-only event, please email us before booking. We will help arrange a private event specifically for that activity. A regular private-event reservation does not guarantee that a full group can be accommodated for stoneware or glass fusing.

No. Our team will explain the process, introduce the supplies and techniques, and provide help throughout the event. Beginners are welcome.

Yes. Private events include a dedicated Event Lead, and we schedule additional team support based on group size. The team will provide instructions, check in regularly, refresh water and supplies, and help guests when needed.

Yes. Keep food simple and easy to enjoy while creating. The studio is not set up for a seated meal, and warming plates and chafing dishes are not permitted. Please bring your own plates, napkins, cups, and utensils.

Yes, simple decorations that can be set up and removed quickly are welcome. Confetti, glitter, pinatas, thumbtacks, and noise makers are not permitted. Walls of Clay is a working creative studio, so decorations must fit within the available space and may not interfere with projects, supplies, walkways, or studio operations.

Yes. Alcohol may be brought for guests age 21 and older. Guests are expected to drink responsibly and arrange safe transportation. Anyone who appears intoxicated before entering may be denied entry, and our team may intervene if a guest appears impaired. If safe transportation cannot be arranged or there is an immediate safety concern, emergency services may be contacted.

No. Walls of Clay team members do not open, pour, or serve alcohol. Please bring your own corkscrew or bottle opener if needed. The reservation holder agrees to the alcohol terms and conditions during checkout.

The group must make a collective minimum purchase of $400 before tax during the event. Previous purchases do not count toward the minimum.

A $100 deposit plus applicable tax is required to reserve the event. The deposit is nonrefundable. When the $400 minimum purchase is met, the deposit is applied toward the event purchases.

Our team will tally the group’s selections early and offer options such as another project, an upgrade, an additional item, or a candle. If the final subtotal remains below $400 before tax, the full deposit becomes a private-event fee and is not applied to purchases, as agreed in the terms and conditions at checkout.

Yes. The reservation holder may pay one group invoice, or guests may pay separately. For separate payments, checkout begins when approximately 30 minutes remain. Guests may pay and then return to their projects so the group can finish and leave on time.

We can wrap unfinished pottery so the guest can take it home. The event still ends at the scheduled two-hour mark.

We will provide an estimated pickup date at the event. Most standard pottery is ready in about seven days. Stoneware, glass fusing, and other specialty projects may follow a different timeline.

The reservation holder or another designated person may pick up the group’s completed projects. Please confirm the pickup arrangement with the Event Lead before leaving.

Kiln-fired art may have slight variations or imperfections. If a piece cracks or shatters during firing, we will contact you and issue a studio credit for the affected piece.

The deposit is non-refundable. With advance notice by phone or email, your payment may be held as a credit toward another private event of the same type. The credit does not expire and cannot be applied to other services, events, or merchandise.

If the group does not arrive and no advance notice is provided, the payment is forfeited and no refund or credit will be issued.

Still have a question? Email info@wallsofclaymckinney.com or call 972.547.4472 before booking so we can help you choose the right event setup.