Penguin Foot Pottery

I went to Penguin Foot for my girlfriend’s birthday party and we had a great time! It was so fun to find something out of the ordinary to do to celebrate with her friends, and I think everyone had a good time (albeit with some bouts of frustration) on the pottery wheel.
The instructor, Chris, was incredibly patient with our crew’s very limited pottery skills, and was super nice about everything, even helping us find a delicious local pizza place to order dinner from.
I would recommend Penguin Foot to anyone looking for a unique social and/​or artistic experience, beginner or expert.

The owner Rocks! What an awesome place to come learn a new skill or to wake up that winter-​induced dormant brain’s Creative Center. The 3 hour Happy Hour Class was the best! Can’t wait to pick up my creations!

On a dreary May night with no plans, we set out to find a date night that differed from the norm. We stumbled upon Penguin Foot’s BYOB pottery class and had the best time! The class had the perfect amount of structure. Chris would give words of wisdom and help out when necessary but also provided space if you would prefer to just drink and socialize and figure things out for yourself. Two weeks later he followed up to come in and glaze which was quick, easy, and fun. We will definitely come back. It was a great deal and a fun activity. And if you follow it up with a reservation at 90 miles across the street for dinner you’ve got a perfect date night!

My boyfriend and I did the byob pottery class on a Friday night and we had so much fun! Our instructor Chris was very nice and provided all the right instructions. We played around with clay and ended up making some awesome stuff. We are definitely going back for a beginners class.

Before coming to this place I was really skeptical. Went for a happy hour class. The experience was really great. The instructor was very helpful, the equipments were user friendly even for first timers. Everything was perfect about this place, great music, great experience and lots of fun. Didn’t realize how 3 hrs flew by. Definitely planning for a beginners class. A great way to spend an evening, away from work life pressure. Highly recommended, must try!

Visited with my wife without an appointment. Great studio setup and conveniently located. We had a great time, Chris gave us a quick intro on the setup and we dove in hands on. Lots of fun, and will definitely be returning often.

A group of 5 of us girls attended the happy hour class last night. Such a great night! We learned a lot and I know I’ll be looking into taking some classes and another happy hour session ASAP!

LOVE Penguin Foot Pottery!
My best friend and I took the introductory class in the spring. Our instructor Chris was great at teaching us how to get started and as the classes progressed so did our lessons. Chris is great at answering questions and always offers one on one help. The atmosphere is fun and creative. We always meet super creative people and have a blast. We decided to go back tonight (Saturday) for the happy hour (byob) pottery. Since we had been before we didn’t need much instruction but Chris took the time to give several lessons to the entire group. We got to keep two of our pieces and are going next weekend to glaze them once they have been fired! I can’t wait to go back and bring more friends!

My significant other and I went to the happy hour class, it was a great time. I misunderstood how the pot glaze/​pick-​up went and was waiting for a call. Turns out, you just show up a few weeks later.

I went to penguin foot pottery while visiting a friend who lives in Chicago and must say I had a wonderful time! I didn’t have any experience with pottery, or crafts for that matter, but I would still recommend this place to everyone. The instructor was great and it all made for a very fun class, also BYOB. Check it out.

We hosted a networking evening at Penguin Foot Pottery and it was a BLAST! I haven’t done anything pottery-​related since I was in elementary school but managed to make a couple of cute little containers that I can’t wait to see once they’ve been fired. I loved the laid back environment and that there was no pressure to make something quickly and be done. I must have destroyed 10 pots before I made one I wanted to keep.
It was an AMAZING evening and Elizabeth C. was absolutely right, Chris has great taste in music! Thanks Chris and Paige!

Initially found this through a Groupon last winter, and then didn’t stop. I took 4 sessions on Tuesday nights. It’s such a low key studio and non intimidating place to try a new creative outlet! I had never tried pottery before and was so happy I did.
Chris is a cool, laid back, friendly and approachable dude with a good sense of humor who is great with adults and kids. He is a former CPS teacher who decided to open up his own studio.
Side note: He also has good taste in music (a mix of Beastie Boys, Modest Mouse, Bob Dylan, and the White Stripes while I muck around in clay? Don’t mind if I do.)
He encourages you to play around, mess up, get messy, and figure it out on your own in a no pressure atmosphere, and provides as much or as little instruction as you want.)
It’s a small business that warms your heart to support, and prices are a DEAL for what you get. As much clay as pieces you can make, glazing, and open studio time on Saturdays. If you miss a class, they’re super flexible and let you make it up.
I haven’t been back in about 6 months but I’m looking forward to my schedule opening up to do another session.

Wife and I went for happy hour class. Learned the basics and were both able to make something in the first session. Really a good break from the winter cabin fever. Chris was great and very helpful!

My daughter and I just finished up a «Happy Hour Class». Simply awesome. Chris was great, taught us the essentials and let us have a ball!

Parking is free and close to El train and the building is an artsy, loft setting.
The 4 week intro pottery throwing class is great (so far) and I am having lots of fun. As enrolled students we are invited to come use a wheel any time one is open, and we can practice to our heart’s delight (and our entire body if covered in clay).
So much fun, a great deal and great environment for being creative.

Took a group of 10 to PPP. We didnt know if they would enjoy it but it was part of a surprise weekend, where we planned the agenda.
Chris did a great job of getting us all up to speed with our clay projects. Everyone had a Ton of fun and created some really great masterpieces.
We are all anxious to to get our glazed finished products back. Thanks chris!

Chris is great! He was really patient and a great teacher. I would highly recommend taking classes. It really is a great way to relieve stress and have fun!
Chris also has the personality that would be good with children.

Great hand-​made ceramic goods and art. If you want something unique for your kitchen, or decorative for your home, you should check it out.

I started my first pottery class at Penguin Foot in January 2011 as a total beginner. The class size was perfect and Chris was an excellent teacher, providing simple yet detailed instructions for each stage of throwing, trimming and glazing. I’ve now completed my third class and can’t wait to continue!

I just started a 4-​week beginning pottery class and I am totally in love! I had no idea how rewarding it would be to create something that I can actually use from a blob of clay.
The space is really open and bright and you can tell that a lot of planning went into laying out the different areas. Everything just flows really well. Chris, the owner, is super knowledgeable and talented and has a very easy way about his teaching. I’m half way through the course, but I know that I will be continuing. If you’ve ever had any interest in pottery, I highly recommend checking out Penguin Foot.