This adored family-owned pottery studio inspires creativity in Lee’s Summit

Potter’s Haven Art Studio owner Cami Lacen had hopes of opening her own art school someday. Then, an opportunity presented itself in her hometown.

“I went to school for art education, and my goal was always to have my own art school and then right time, right place, this fell into my lap more or less,” she said.

Lacen and her parents, Warren and Deb Debban, bought the studio 16 years ago, although Potter’s Haven has been family-owned for more than 30 years. Today, Lacen runs the day-to-day operations, with her mother helping out at the store and her father working behind the scenes.

The colorful studio features large windows offering natural light with shelves of ceramic items throughout the store. During the studio’s long history, it has been known for its relaxing vibe that attracts pottery painters of all ages and skill levels.

“We started going to Potter’s Haven when I was in high school,” said Lacen, who grew up in Lee’s Summit and visited under the previous ownership.

Jennifer Snyder and Shannon Silver are frequent visitors to the studio, usually painting together a couple of days each week.

“It’s calming,” Silver said, “and I get to focus on painting. The atmosphere is very relaxing, and the owners are like family.”

Snyder added that painting pottery keeps her brain focused. “I love it here,” she said. “I am big on frogs and toads.”

Keeping a wide variety of ceramic items on hand is important, as well as ensuring that studio painting is affordable, Lacen said.

Ceramic items start at $8 with an additional $8 for glaze or $5 for acrylic. Glazed pottery, both food-safe and outdoor friendly, may be picked up in a few days after being fired in one of the shop’s two kilns. Acrylic projects go home the same day.

“Acrylic works really well for birthday parties,” Lacen said, “and if you have little ones who don’t understand the waiting for something to get fired in the kiln.”

In addition to birthday parties, Potter’s Haven regularly hosts bridal showers, baby showers, team-building events for businesses and field trips.

“We also work a lot with the special needs community,” she added.

A multi-generational activity, ceramic painting attracts all ages.

“We have a lot of families that come in with little ones still in a stroller, older kids, teenagers, parents, grandparents – all ages together and also individually,” Lacen said. “We get a lot of date nights with high schoolers and adult date nights, too. A lot of girls come in for a girls night out without the kids.”

Ceramic painting tends to be a learn-as-you-go skill with Lacen available to answer questions about painting technique and color selection if needed.

One of the frequent painters is Lacen’s daughter, 3-year-old Maylinn, who has been painting most of her life.

“She is very much a little artist,” she said. “Her favorite color is yellow at the moment so everything gets painted yellow — along with rainbows.”

Seasonal items, such as Christmas decor or Easter eggs and bunnies, are popular along with a wide variety of plates, mugs, figurines and garden pottery.

“Our No. 1 item right now is happy birthday plates,” Lacen said. “Plates and mugs are also our top sellers.”

Among animal figurines, turtles and frogs remain consistently near the top of the list.

“They’re starting to come out with new different types of molds of popular animals like platypus, axolotls and highland cows,” she added.

Potter’s Haven is a walk-in studio, although groups may schedule the party room in advance for events. Lacen recommends allowing at least two hours for painting sessions. The studio is open Tuesday through Saturday at 292 SW Blue Parkway in Pine Tree Plaza.

“I want people to come in and find an item they like and be able to express their own creativity with it and not necessarily have to do a specific item or a specific paint style,” Lacen said. “We just hope families and friends have a good time and paint pottery.”