Finished pottery pieces are displayed at Lauter Atelier in Kaiserslautern, Feb. 27, 2024. After being glazed and fired, the colors of the painted pottery become bolder and shinier. Customers must wait two weeks after painting to collect their finished pieces. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)
Lauter Atelier has come a long way since its beginnings a decade ago as a space for sewing classes.
It’s now largely devoted to pottery painting, but it’s also where people from all walks of life gather for creative expression.
Business is booming, staffers say, though they would like to broaden their clientele in a particular segment of the community.
“Not many Americans know about us,” ceramicist Marie Reise said. “But every time they’re here, they say, ‘It’s great’ and want to come again, and we’re like, ‘Yes, we want you here.’ ”
Customers can choose from a range of pre-made pottery to paint, including bowls, mugs and plates of various sizes.
A man paints a plate at Lauter Atelier in Kaiserslautern, Feb. 27, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)
There are nearly a dozen decoration techniques, which include stenciling a pattern or image onto the pottery prior to painting, using rubber stamps and painting with dots. English explanations of the techniques are available via a QR code.
Visitors have a choice of more than 60 paint colors and have paintbrushes, sponges, tracing paper and scraping tools available to them.
I chose a large mug during my weekday visit. Initially, I thought it would be nice to make something for the office with a Stars and Stripes theme. But on further reflection, I went with the bubble technique to create something more abstract.
Paint bubbles cover a mug at Lauter Atelier in Kaiserslautern, Feb. 27, 2024. Painting with bubbles gives pottery a marbled look. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)
The technique involves mixing paint, water and soap in a cup and then blowing in the mixture with a straw to make paint-coated bubbles that fall over the pottery.
After applying a light green to the entire mug, I used a darker green to make the bubbles. Owner Bianca Kock helped spin the mug on a rotating tray while I blew, which helped me get an even distribution.
After the dark green bubbles subsided, I added a layer of brown bubbles and then a third and final round of light blue ones. The technique is supposed to create a somewhat marbled look.
A fellow customer who told me she is a regular said that once the pottery is glazed and fired, the colors would appear much stronger and shinier.
A freshly painted mug before being glazed and fired at Lauter Atelier in Kaiserslautern on Feb. 27, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)
The friendly atmosphere of the atelier is one of its highlights. People laugh and converse while they paint, and music plays in the background. Coffees and teas are available for purchase.
“There’s nothing similar to us in Kaiserslautern,” Kock said. “Customers want this quality time to do something special. They enjoy spending time in a creative community.”
For people who want to make their own pottery before painting it, recently added classes on Wednesday evenings offer instruction in the hand-building technique, which differs from using a pottery wheel.
Reise and a colleague have been trying to establish a regular event specifically for Kaiserslautern’s American expat community.
During the so-called “PaintLike” evenings, participants paint pottery in the style of a famous artist or mimic an artistic genre.
“The goal was not only to introduce more Americans to us and K-Town, but also to each other,” Reise said. “It would be the perfect opportunity to get to know like-minded people and potentially meet new friends.”
Customers work on their creations at Kaiserslautern’s Lauter Atelier, Feb. 27, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)
However, turnout at two such events was low, so the program is on hold. Reise hopes to raise awareness among Americans and eventually resume it.
In the meantime, normal painting sessions continue. Walk-ins are accepted but reservations are recommended to ensure a workspace. The venue can be rented out for birthdays and other events.
After painting is completed, either on site or elsewhere, the atelier collects the pottery, glazes it and fires it. Customers can collect their finished pieces two weeks after painting them.
I’m waiting to see how my mug turns out — and already looking ahead to my next visit.
The front window of Lauter Atelier on the corner of Pirmasenser Strasse and Humboldtstrasse in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)
On the QT
Address: Pirmasenser Strasse 44, Kaiserslautern, Germany
Hours: Tuesday 3-6 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 3-9 p.m.; Friday, 3-9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cost: 10-40 euros per pottery piece
Information: Online: lauteratelier.de; phone: 0631-31193130; email: info@lauteratelier.de
