Studio Policies
Covid Policy
Masks are optional, but recommended! All studio staff are vaccinated. Joining our studio means you are agreeing to follow the CDC and State Guidelines to stay home if you have tested positive to Covid until you have a negative test result.
Guests
Guests are not allowed in the studio without prior permission. We provide guest passes to members, please see here for more info.
Cleaning
Members must maintain cleanliness and organization in their workspace and shared studio areas. This can include, but is not limited to wiping down the wheel and splash pan, wiping down and removing excess clay from wedging tables, wiping down table surfaces and glazing area, and sweeping the floor of trimmings.
Once your wheel area is clean, please turn off your wheel and place the pedal and stool on top of the wheel head. Ensure that your area is clean and presentable for the next user.
Washing Tools
In our efforts to not waste water, all clay tools must be first wiped down in the rinse bucket prior to being washed in the sink. A separate glaze rinse bucket is available in the glazing area for glazing tools to be rinsed prior to washing in the sink.
Recycling Clay/Clay Disposal
Unwanted pieces that have not been fired can be smashed into smaller pieces and placed in the dry recycling bucket. Trimmings may also be placed in the dry recycling bucket. Unwanted wet clay or slip can be placed into the wet clay recycling bucket. No bisque ware or glaze ware are allowed into the recycling buckets. Unwanted bisque ware or glaze ware should be disposed of in a regular trash can.
Tools
Communal tools are available for use. Members are responsible for ensuring tools are cleaned well and returned to their designated storage area after use.
Sanding
Absolutely no sanding is allowed in the studio. Sanding dry pieces leads to airborne silica, which is a health hazard. If necessary, members may wet sand outside with a bucket of water. Do not wet sand at the sink.
Glazing
If you have any questions about glazes, underglazes or oxide washes, feel free to ask a staff member! Please do not add water to glazes, underglazes or oxide washes without consulting a staff member first.
We ask members to be conscious of not wasting glaze and thoughtfully consider what glaze you’d like to use on your piece before applying.
Don’t apply glaze too thick, or overlap glazes near the bottom of your piece to ensure that your piece does not run in the kiln. A one to two second dip is all that’s needed to evenly cover your piece. Members are required to wax the bottoms of their piece and wipe their bottoms before adhering their piece to a cookie and placing their piece on the glaze shelf. Failure to follow correct glazing practices will result in your piece being unfired and placed on the correction shelf.
If your piece causes damage to the kiln due to negligent glazing practices, you will be responsible for the costs of repair or replacement.
Non Studio Clay/Glazes
Our studio fires to Cone 6, thus not all clay and glaze is compatible with our kilns. We ask that members and students purchase clay from our studio to ensure the right clay is used. If you are a member who is looking to purchase their own clay or glaze from an outside source, please send a formal request via email to hello@commonclayspace.com to receive written approval from staff to use outside material. Staff will double check your material to ensure it is compatible with our kiln. After receiving approval from staff, you are still responsible for the correct usage and application of outside clay/glaze. An additional $20 firing fee per 25lb bag will be applied to outside clay.
Members found using unauthorized clay or glaze may face disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension of studio privileges or termination of membership. Any damages resulting from the use of unauthorized materials will be the responsibility of the member.
Pets
We have members that may have allergies to animals. In order to maintain a comfortable and safe environment to all members in the studio, pets are not allowed. Medically required service animals are welcome.
Membership Terms
Members are responsible for ensuring that membership fees are paid on time and in full according to the membership tier they have signed up for (monthly, 6 months or 1 year). Failure to comply may result in a loss of studio access or membership termination. Promotional rates and promotional status will not carry over after a lapse in membership.
Cancellation Policy
For membership cancellation, please email hello@commonclayspace.com with at least 30 days notice before you want to end your membership. We ask that you clear your shelf by the time your membership expires. Items left after a membership is cancelled will be discarded by the studio after 15 days. Please note there are no refunds on memberships or initiation fees.
For class cancellation, please email hello@commonclayspace.com. Cancellation requests received 2 weeks prior to class start are eligible for a refund (minus $20 processing fee). Cancellation requests received less than 2 weeks prior to class start are not eligible for a refund unless your spot is filled by another participant (minus $20 processing fee).
Shelf Storage & Space
All members are given their own shelf space to store tools/personal items/work in progress. It is the responsibility of the member to mange their own shelf space. If there is no space left on your shelf, please bring items home to clear off space. Your items should not be stored in other areas of the studio that is not your shelf. Members shall respect other members’ shelf space and not touch anything on other shelves without the owner’s permission.
Non member students will receive a class shelf shared with their class in the classroom area. Non member students should not store any of their items outside of their class shelf.
Theft or Broken Items
We prioritize the safety and security of all studio members and their belongings. While every effort is made to maintain a secure environment, members are reminded that Common Clay Space is not liable for any damaged, lost, or stolen items within the studio premises. It is the responsibility of each member to take reasonable precautions to safeguard their personal belongings.
Signing Your Work
Please remember to sign your work! If you are in a class, sign your piece with your name and class number that will be provided by your instructor. If you are a member, you may sign your piece with your unique signature. Unsigned work will not be fired and placed on the correction shelf.
Fired Work Hold Policy
For members: after your work has been fired in the kiln it will be placed on the bisque ware and finished ware pick up shelves. If your work does not meet firing guidelines it will be placed on the correction shelf. It is the member’s responsibility to pick up their work on time or correct their work on time.
All work on the pickup shelf and correction shelf will be held for a maximum of 30 days. Unclaimed pieces left on these shelves for over 30 days will be discarded without any additional notice.
For students: your fired pieces will be placed on your class shelf. Once your class ends, you are expected to take home your pieces on the last day of class. If you are unable to pick up on the last day of class, your pieces will be held for a maximum of 15 days before it is discarded. If you need additional accommodations, please email us.
Studio Space Access
Members will have 24 hour access to the studio after their first month. However, members acknowledge and agree that access may be temporarily restricted or limited to accommodate necessary construction, maintenance, weekly cleaning activities or large scale events/workshops. Staff will notify members in advance of any such studio restrictions.
Because members will receive 24 hour access, the last member exiting the studio is required to secure the premises and ensure all doors are closed and locked. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to warnings or suspension of studio access privileges. Additionally, the member may be held liable for any damages or losses incurred due to the premises being left unsecured, including theft, vandalism, or unauthorized access. It is imperative that all members adhere to this rule to ensure the safety and security of the studio and its occupants.