Unleash Your Inner Artist at Color Me Mine

Lincoln Square is known for its dynamic arts scene. Home to Lincoln Center, the American Folk Art Museum, and the Museum of Arts and Design, this one-of-a-kind neighborhood is sure to inspire visitors to tap into their inner artists. A local business aimed at “the art of having fun” is here to enable you to do just that. Color Me Mine Upper West Side (177 Amsterdam Avenue at 68th Street), a paint-your-own-pottery studio, provides an accessible space for creative expression. This small, woman-owned business is dedicated to promoting creativity and connection for all ages and abilities, from seasoned savant to curious newbie.

How did a small business that opened a mere eight weeks before the City shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic survive the lockdown and blossom into the thriving entity that it is today? Color Me Mine UWS’s resilience was largely due to the creativity of its owner, Claudia Martinez Azzara. Martinez Azzara, who grew up in Venezuela and earned a scholarship to study business in Italy, leads with remarkable adaptability and a focus on a growth mindset. She says that flexibility and proactivity have been important factors in the business’s success. During the pandemic, Martinez Azarra and her team offered take-home kits, including customers’ chosen pieces, paints, and brushes to allow them to get creative from home. The service was so successful that she decided to continue it after the lockdown had lifted. It is a popular choice for festivities from bachelorette parties to corporate team-building events.

Martinez Azzara has embraced and built upon the strong sense of community here in Lincoln Square. In addition to her role as a small business owner, she serves on the board of the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District. “You have to give back,” she says, “it takes a village.” Color Me Mine UWS, under her leadership, has done a great deal to give back to the community. They partner with Candlelighters NYC, a non-profit organization supporting families with children battling cancer, to provide a safe, fun activity for cancer patients when they come to the City for treatment. What's more, Color Me Mine UWS staff periodically set up a “pay as you wish” table with overflow ceramics and unclaimed artwork, donating all of the money to the organization.

With over 400 different ceramic pieces to choose from, there is something for everyone at Color Me Mine UWS. They provide various glazes, over 60 paint colors, and everything one needs to create a masterpiece. All dinnerware is food safe and usable. Color Me Mine UWS also offers a variety of themed events and weekly discounts—all featured on their monthly calendar. Their seasonal events range from a popular Pumpkin Painting Party in the fall to a Gingerbread House workshop in the winter months. Upcoming events include an Astrology Art Night on Thursday, May 29, and Bagels With Dad” Father’s Day Celebration where families can bond over breakfast and pottery on Sunday, June 15.  Families with young children will also love Munchkin Mondays, where kids under five receive a special discount. The friendly staff, made up of talented artists, will even help you stamp tiny hands and feet onto pottery to create lasting keepsakes.

Whether you're planning a playful family outing, a unique date night, or a peaceful solo session, Color Me Mine Upper West Side invites you to explore the joy of artistic expression in the heart of Lincoln Square.

Color Me Mine UWS is open 7 days a week: Monday through Thursday from 10:00am – 8:00pm and Friday through Sunday from 10:00am – 9:00pm. For more information, visit colormemine.com/upper-west-side or call (212) 877-0007.