After CPS Layoff, Art Teacher Opens Penguin Foot Pottery

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Business: Penguin Foot Pottery, 2514 W. Armitage in Buckton

Owner: Chris Busse

Founded: 2010

Learn more about Penguin Foot on its website. 

How did the business come to be?

After being laid off in August 2010 from CPS along with over 2,000 other teachers (many of them also art teachers) I decided I would start bringing art to the community in my own way. In September of 2010 myself and my partner Paige opened up Penguin Foot Pottery.

Why did you choose the area? 

The Bucktown/Logan Square/Wicker Park area is already a thriving art community. It was a natural choice to bring our studio here and bring ceramics into the neighborhood.

What does your business offer?

We offer a variety of classes and workshops for all ages as well as independent study options for working artists.

What's something interesting about your business your customers might not know?

We mix all of our glazes in house.

What's your most popular product or service?

Our most popular class/workshop is our Happy Hour class which is a one time wheel throwing workshop that also happens to be BYOB. It's a great way to try out the wheel without committing to a longer multiple week class.