Welcome to SCAA's Pottery Studio
There’s a lot of information to know for you to navigate through our pottery studio. Please read everything carefully and refer back to this document often. If you have any questions, you can email our Pottery Studio Manager, Todd, at [email protected].
Clay
Clay that is fired in our kilns must be purchased from the SCAA Pottery Studio. A storage ‘cubby’ will be assigned to each member/student to store clay, tools and related class materials. Each person may purchase up to 2 bags of clay/month. If any of your pieces exceed 14” in any direction, you may fire only one such piece per month.
Purchase ClayPayment of clay/supplies is expected C.O.D., using a credit/debit card, personal check, or cash. Follow this procedure for clay purchases:
Studio Hours
Students are permitted to use the studio outside of class time (for up to 20 hours a week), except when there is a pottery class or other pottery event in progress. If there is a class in session, you may sign up to use the workroom on the second floor. Shorter workshops generally do not include time in the studio outside of class.
Shared Facility
The Pottery Studio is used by potters with all levels of experience: students, hobbyists, and professionals. Please be considerate of others. Read and follow the Code of Conduct and Safety Precautions and General Operating Procedures which follows at the end of this document. This list of guidelines is posted in several locations throughout the studio. The same rules apply to students and studio members.
Each week at the end of your class...
Wet/Drying Greenware
Wet/Drying Greenware needs to be stamped/inscribed/carved with your name or initial, placed on a wood ware-board, covered with plastic & stored on your Class Shelf. Write your name on scrap of paper & attach to each piece of your work on the shelf.
Bone Dry Greenware is placed on a ‘Bisque’ shelf, ready to be fired in a bisque kiln.
Glazed Bisque Ware is placed on the Glaze Shelf, ready to be fired in the glaze kiln.
Other Helpful Information
If you are the last person to leave the studio during the day or night, you are responsible to secure the building: turn OFF lights, wheels, fans - and lock the back door behind you. See posted instructions.
Children & pets are not allowed in the Studio. Guests are permitted for a fee of $25 daily and must sign a waiver. Dispose of food and beverage containers outside in trash barrels. Replace covers tightly on glaze buckets. Do not eat or share food or drink in the pottery studio. It is ESSENTIAL to never touch clay work if it is not yours. This is the most important rule of the studio along with cleaning your space. “Use it, Clean it, Return it.” “Clean as you go.”
Lockbox Instructions
If you arrive to the studio and the doors are locked, you'll need to access the key, which is kept in a lockbox next to the studio door. The code to the lockbox will be given out on the first day of class. Please see the video below for instructions on how to open the lockbox. Make sure to return the key to the box after you have unlocked the door.
Clay
Clay that is fired in our kilns must be purchased from the SCAA Pottery Studio. A storage ‘cubby’ will be assigned to each member/student to store clay, tools and related class materials. Each person may purchase up to 2 bags of clay/month. If any of your pieces exceed 14” in any direction, you may fire only one such piece per month.
Purchase ClayPayment of clay/supplies is expected C.O.D., using a credit/debit card, personal check, or cash. Follow this procedure for clay purchases:
- Write your name/date on Clay Purchase Clipboard in the Glaze Room.
- Place your money or check for the correct amount (in an envelope) in the ‘black box’ in the basement by the clay cage. You can also come into the office or call us during open hours to pay. We're open Wednesdays-Sundays from 1-5pm.
- When the Studio Manager receives your request & payment, he will leave a bag of clay in your cubby.
Studio Hours
Students are permitted to use the studio outside of class time (for up to 20 hours a week), except when there is a pottery class or other pottery event in progress. If there is a class in session, you may sign up to use the workroom on the second floor. Shorter workshops generally do not include time in the studio outside of class.
Shared Facility
The Pottery Studio is used by potters with all levels of experience: students, hobbyists, and professionals. Please be considerate of others. Read and follow the Code of Conduct and Safety Precautions and General Operating Procedures which follows at the end of this document. This list of guidelines is posted in several locations throughout the studio. The same rules apply to students and studio members.
Each week at the end of your class...
- Leave yourself enough time for clean-up.
- Turn your wheel OFF.
- Clean all of the areas where you worked with clay: wheels, floor under & around your wheel, bats, wedging table, slab roller, extruder, big work table, sink, sponges.
- Clean the Glaze Room table, floor, buckets & utensils.
- Empty water bucket & splash pan into Recycle Barrels.
- Sponge-clean clay residue off wheel surfaces.
- Damp-Mop clay splatters on floor around & under your wheel. Do not use a broom to sweep-up floor debris. The clay dust produced is unhealthy for your lungs.
- Wash clay off bats.
- Wash & return studio tools & materials.
- Store your tools, supplies & clay into your cubby (no tools are to be stored upstairs in the studio). “Clean as you go.”
Wet/Drying Greenware
Wet/Drying Greenware needs to be stamped/inscribed/carved with your name or initial, placed on a wood ware-board, covered with plastic & stored on your Class Shelf. Write your name on scrap of paper & attach to each piece of your work on the shelf.
Bone Dry Greenware is placed on a ‘Bisque’ shelf, ready to be fired in a bisque kiln.
Glazed Bisque Ware is placed on the Glaze Shelf, ready to be fired in the glaze kiln.
Other Helpful Information
If you are the last person to leave the studio during the day or night, you are responsible to secure the building: turn OFF lights, wheels, fans - and lock the back door behind you. See posted instructions.
Children & pets are not allowed in the Studio. Guests are permitted for a fee of $25 daily and must sign a waiver. Dispose of food and beverage containers outside in trash barrels. Replace covers tightly on glaze buckets. Do not eat or share food or drink in the pottery studio. It is ESSENTIAL to never touch clay work if it is not yours. This is the most important rule of the studio along with cleaning your space. “Use it, Clean it, Return it.” “Clean as you go.”
Lockbox Instructions
If you arrive to the studio and the doors are locked, you'll need to access the key, which is kept in a lockbox next to the studio door. The code to the lockbox will be given out on the first day of class. Please see the video below for instructions on how to open the lockbox. Make sure to return the key to the box after you have unlocked the door.
At the Conclusion of your Class
You are permitted to complete any unfinished work that was started in class. Please do not start a new project. You are allowed 2 additional weeks of studio time to trim/glaze/finish pieces that you began making during your class. You must have all your work completed and shelves & cubby emptied within 2 weeks of your last day of class; any unfinished pottery items, clay or tools that are not removed and taken home with you will become the property of the SCAA and/or donated to the MAC Sale.
Code of Conduct
Please do your part to cultivate a positive atmosphere for everyone in the studio by following these guidelines.
Reserving Studio Time
Working in the Studio
Studio Etiquette
Studio Equipment
Cleaning
Safety Precautions and General Operating Procedures
Every student receives the lock box code and instructions at the first class, as well as how to schedule weekly studio shifts through signup.com via passwords sent by the Studio Manager. Every studio member is expected to leave promptly at the end of their time. If the door into the Paint Studio (off the Glaze Room) says Vacancy you may go into that room for your breaks. There is no eating and drinking in the studio (except for covered drinks).
There are ten pottery wheels downstairs and more pottery wheels upstairs. Disinfectant cleaners will be provided by the SCAA and hand sanitizer are available on each floor.
Safety Controls and Procedures for Cleaning
Pottery Etiquette
Mask Policy
Our policy beginning April 1, 2022 is ‘Masks Optional’ throughout the organization. This policy could be amended if transmission rates increase significantly and official advice changes.
You are permitted to complete any unfinished work that was started in class. Please do not start a new project. You are allowed 2 additional weeks of studio time to trim/glaze/finish pieces that you began making during your class. You must have all your work completed and shelves & cubby emptied within 2 weeks of your last day of class; any unfinished pottery items, clay or tools that are not removed and taken home with you will become the property of the SCAA and/or donated to the MAC Sale.
Code of Conduct
Please do your part to cultivate a positive atmosphere for everyone in the studio by following these guidelines.
Reserving Studio Time
- Reserve your studio time on line and adhere to your schedule; please do not arrive more than 10 minutes before your scheduled time slot.
- If you cannot use the time you booked, please cancel it.
Working in the Studio
- Always sign in upon arrival and sign out upon departure.
- Only studio members and currently enrolled students may work in the studio.
- Please store your clay and tools in assigned cubbies only.
- Aside from assigned cubbies, all other space including shelves, tables and equipment are shared by all members.
- Please do not leave your tools anywhere you aren’t currently working (clean as you go).
- No food or drink (other than water bottles) in the studio, please.
- Please help us maintain a strict “no (personal) fragrance” policy in the studio.
- If you are the last person to leave the studio, please lock the door and turn off the lights.
Studio Etiquette
- Please do not touch your fellow students' or members’ work.
- Prevent others from touching your work by placing greenware and glazed pieces on shelves from back to front.
- Accidents happen. If you break a fellow students or member’s work, please let them know in person or leave a note.
- Please keep background noise to a minimum. Please use headphones when listening to music and/or videos, and take all cell phone conversations outside.
- Conversation and collaboration are encouraged, but please remain aware and respectful of all members working in the studio.
- Do remember that there are no assigned spots in the studio. No one person owns any spot, shelf space, specific wheel or place at the worktable(s).
- Please be supportive of students new to pottery and our studio. Introductions are always appreciated.
- If you observe a student or member not abiding by the studio cleaning or safety rules, please gently remind them of the proper procedure(s).
Studio Equipment
- Please do not open, load or unload kilns.
- If a piece of equipment is broken or malfunctioning, please notify the Studio Manager in person or leave a note on their “Talk Board.”
Cleaning
- Please leave the studio cleaner than you found it.
- Please allow 20-30 minutes prior to the end of your scheduled time for cleaning up your area.
- Clean all surfaces, tools, equipment that you used.
- Deposit used towels in the proper bin.
- Clean your work area, including the floors – rule of thumb is to extend 50% beyond.
Safety Precautions and General Operating Procedures
Every student receives the lock box code and instructions at the first class, as well as how to schedule weekly studio shifts through signup.com via passwords sent by the Studio Manager. Every studio member is expected to leave promptly at the end of their time. If the door into the Paint Studio (off the Glaze Room) says Vacancy you may go into that room for your breaks. There is no eating and drinking in the studio (except for covered drinks).
There are ten pottery wheels downstairs and more pottery wheels upstairs. Disinfectant cleaners will be provided by the SCAA and hand sanitizer are available on each floor.
Safety Controls and Procedures for Cleaning
- Clean the rims or jars and containers before closing to prevent dried buildup.
- Wipe down work areas with a wet sponge, and rinse the sponge frequently.
- Clean up spills before they dry. Work areas should be cleaned with a wet sponge.
- No sweeping: gently collect trimmings and crumbs with dustpan, then mop.
- Clean greenware when it is still damp.
- Sanding of bone dry or fired pieces should be done outside
- Do not wear contact lenses when working in dusty environments. Dust particles may become trapped between the lens and the surface of the eye.
- Wear a smock or apron when working with ceramic materials, especially glaze materials, in order to prevent the spread of irritants or toxic materials, especially glaze materials, in order to prevent the spread of irritants or toxic materials. The smock or apron would be left in the work area. Wash them regularly and wash separately.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly when you are done working, even if you use gloves.
- Do not get electric wheel foot controllers wet.
- Flywheel must be stopped before getting on or off.
- All accidents should be reported immediately to the ceramics staff or SCAA staff.
- If you have allergies or are pregnant you should be aware that working in the ceramics lab could be hazardous to your health.
Pottery Etiquette
- Clean the wedging table after each use.
- Clean the wheel after each use.
- Clean the wedging wire after each use.
- Bats and wear boards should be returned after they have been used.
- Clay must be kept in cubbies or designated areas.
- When pieces are completed they should be put in the green ware area to be bisqued.
- Do not move or disturb other people’s artwork. If something needs to be moved, ask an instructor or staff.
- Plaster is to be kept separate from wet work areas.
- If someone is doing something that is unsafe or incorrect, gently ask them what they are doing. Then you can ask them if they are aware of the policies around that action? Examples are scraping dry pottery indoors or moving people’s work. Or, you can inform the PS Manager who can take them aside to review the rules. This most often happens with students who may not have absorbed all the information in class.
Mask Policy
Our policy beginning April 1, 2022 is ‘Masks Optional’ throughout the organization. This policy could be amended if transmission rates increase significantly and official advice changes.
