A semi-private event is a two-hour reservation in our party room during regular studio hours. The party room is reserved for your group, while the main studio remains open to other customers.

Semi-private events are a good fit for small gatherings of adults, tweens, teens, families, teams, and friends who want a reserved creative space during regular studio hours. 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.

No. A semi-private event reserves the party room for your group but does not include a dedicated party host, birthday-party paper goods, or the birthday prize wheel. Our team will still provide project instructions, check in regularly, and assist guests throughout the event.

Standard start times are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 11:00 AM or 4:00 PM; Saturday at 10:00 AM or 4:30 PM; and Sunday at 11:00 AM or 4:00 PM. The studio is closed on Tuesday.

Semi-private events and birthday parties use the same party room. When either event type is reserved, conflicting times become unavailable for the other event type.

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.

Semi-private events are two hours. The reservation begins and ends at the scheduled time, even if some guests arrive late. The party room must be vacated at the scheduled end time so it can be cleaned and reset for its next use.

Reserve the party room and pay the non-refundable deposit through our online Semi-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 5 to 10 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.

The party room comfortably seats up to 8 adults or 12 children at the tables. The maximum is 12 makers. Up to two additional non-makers may attend, but seating is not guaranteed for them.

The party room is reserved for your group during the two-hour event. The main studio remains open to other customers, and team members will enter the room as needed to provide instructions, refresh supplies, and assist guests.

A maximum of two non-makers may attend, but seating is not guaranteed. We are a creative studio, and the semi-private experience is planned around guests creating together.

Coats, bags, gifts, and other belongings may be placed on the perimeter benches so the tables and walkways remain clear.

Guests may choose pottery painting, stoneware, glass fusing, or candle making. Pottery painting is usually the easiest option for groups with mixed ages and experience levels, but each guest may select the creative project that works best for them.

Stoneware and glass fusing require more instruction, and may need more teaching time than a regular semi-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 semi-private event specifically for that activity. A regular semi-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.

Semi-private events do not include a dedicated party host who remains in the room. An event point person will help your group get started, provide the appropriate project instructions, check in regularly, refresh water and supplies, and assist 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 $245 before tax during the event.

A $100 deposit plus applicable tax is required to reserve the event. The deposit is non-refundable. When the $245 minimum purchase is met, the deposit is applied or refunded according to the group’s payment arrangement.

Our team will complete a courtesy tally early in the event and let the reservation holder know if the group is below the $245 minimum. We will offer options such as adding another project, choosing an upgrade, adding an item, or making a candle. If the final subtotal remains below $245 before tax, the full deposit becomes a room 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.

If seating is available in the main studio, the guest may move there to continue working after the party-room reservation ends. If main-studio seating is unavailable, unfinished pottery may be wrapped so the guest can take it home and return another day.

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 semi-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.