Those not adhering to the policies may be asked to leave the studio for the day or permanently without refund. Please read carefully and see our website for the most up-to-date version of this handbook. Studio Membership Requirements
- Must be age 21+
- Must be able to work independently without aid and be able to maintain clean and safe studio practices.
- Membership is limited due to availability.
- Must adhere to the guidelines set below.
Studio Access & Liability
- Members can access the studio during posted studio membership hours. Studio hours are posted on the studio membership page.
- All clay must be purchased from the studio to guarantee safety in firing unless permission is given by studio manager.
- Studio members assume all responsibility for any damages and/or loss incurred during, or as a direct result of, their use of the space.
- Only registered students and active studio members may use the studio and equipment. Members are not permitted to host their own classes or private lessons in the studio unless approved by and arranged with the studio manager. In that case a percentage of the class rate will be paid to Clay Awhile.
- Safety guidelines are in place to protect all members, staff, and visitors. See ‘Health & Safety’ section for more information. Clay Awhile is not responsible for any accidents or incidents resulting from improper and/or unsafe use of the studio.
- Clay Awhile is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced items. Please be sure you check all areas of the studio where you may have worked before leaving for the day.
- Clay Awhile, and any staff operating on their behalf, are not responsible for watching children, pets, or guests, or for accidents of any kind unless prior arrangements have been made for childcare. Studio members will adhere to posted age restrictions per class.
- Clay Awhile will dispose of your work, tools and equipment if it is not cleaned out of your cubby at the time of your membership or classes expiration date for any reason. Clay Awhile is not responsible for promises made by employees or other members to safeguard these items if your membership has lapsed. It is your sole responsibility to make sure your space is cleaned out so that Clay Awhile can offer the space to the next round of students/members.
Our Community Studio Atmosphere
- Any disrespect, harm, or harassment to Clay Awhile staff, instructors, employees, interns, studio members, students, etc. is not acceptable or tolerated. Clay Awhile has the right to refuse access to any person(s) at any time.
- Please respect all artists of the studio. Do not disrupt them while they are working, use their tools, or touch their work/possessions without their permission.
- No smoking of any kind in the studio or within 10 yards of premises.
- The studio promotes the sharing of best practices and an overall community appreciation of ceramic work. Please be respectful of intellectual property and do not photograph or otherwise appropriate any work, procedures, methods, or likewise of any studio members, staff, or guests.
- Please do not create a negative environment for other people in the space. Staff have the right to ask any person to leave if they are negatively affecting the studio environment and/or safety.
General Cleaning Guidelines
- This is a wet cleaning studio and all members and students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves in accordance with the following guidelines.
- Common areas such as the glaze station, wedging tables, sink area, etc. must be wiped down and cleaned with fresh water immediately after use.
- Do not let clay dry out on surfaces-- always clean up your wedging or work area right away with water and a sponge.
- When finished using a wheel, ensure that it has been switched off before following posted cleaning instructions.
- Wash all community tools, buckets, bats (including the rims), wareboards, etc. and put away prior to leaving.
- Check your throwing buckets for any tools before dumping it into the reclaim bins/sink.
- Glaze tools such as whisks, spatulas, and tongs, must be thoroughly cleaned between glazes and after use. Contamination between glaze buckets can ruin an entire batch of glaze and disrupt use for other artists in the studio. If a glaze batch is ruined as a result of improper use, artists may be charged for the materials and the time it takes to replace it.
- There is ABSOLUTELY no clay or glaze material to be washed in the fresh water sink or the bathroom sink.
- Final cleaning is to be done using fresh water and a clean sponge. Using dirty sponges can lead to the spreading of thinner layers of clay-water which evaporate and leave dust.
- Please dispose of trash and recycling in the appropriate cans.
- Follow all posted signage. If you are unsure of any clean-up procedures, please ask a member of staff.
- A fee may be charged to cover any mess left behind, damage, or loss resulting from improper studio use.
Tools, Shelves & Storage
- Members and students are responsible for providing their own tools if they require something the studio doesn’t have. All provided equipment and community tools are shared among the studio and should be looked after, cleaned, and returned after use.
- Members are assigned one 1'x1'x1’ locker cubby.
Handling of Clay and Glaze Materials
- Do not eat or drink in the glaze area.
- Only wet sanding is permitted.
- All outside materials including glazes, etc must be approved by studio staff for proper use and storage. Clay must be purchased at the studio to ensure safe reclaim and firing practices. Alternate clay bodies may be able to be obtained upon request.
- When working with wet glazes and stains, rubber gloves are recommended as some colorants can be absorbed through the skin. Please be sure to clean hands thoroughly before using other parts of the studio.
Kilns & Firing
- Never open, touch, or unload any kilns without the permission of Clay Awhile.
- Firing schedules are subject to change according to the quantity of work that is ready to fire, class schedules, and the availablity of the Clay Awhile kiln manager.
- Clay Awhile staff strives to move all work through the firing process in a timely manner, but it is not our responsibility to track your individual pieces.
- Clay Awhile is not responsible for the loss or misplacement of unsigned work.
- Work that is not picked up or moved through the process in a timely manner may be discarded after 30 days.
- Please be aware that kiln firings can have unpredictable results and, as such, we cannot guarantee the final product. Damage and/or unwanted results during the entire loading, firing, and unloading process are not the responsibility of the studio.
- Members testing new glazes/combinations or glazing low are asked to make their own cookies with a drip pan. Ask a staff member or long-term studio member for help if you need to know how or search Youtube for instructions.
Health and Safety Rules
- Do not eat in the glaze area.
- Do not touch the kilns.
- Do not run in the studio.
- Silica dust is extremely dangerous. All measures possible should be taken to minimize the creation of excess clay dust throughout the studio. Additional information can be found here: https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/silica-dust/ and here: https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/silica-dust/silicosis/
- No dry sanding is allowed.
- Spills must be cleaned up immediately and staff must be informed of any accidents that could be unsafe.
- When applying stain and sponging off it is wise to wear rubber gloves.
- Non-Studio Glazes / Purchased Commercial Glaze: Must be approved by studio staff prior to using and stored in a personal cubby or taken home each day.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT Clay Awhile adheres to all applicable federal, state and local anti-discrimination and harassment laws and regulations. Clay Awhile staff, contractors, vendors, visitors, members and the like are entitled to work or visit an environment free from sexual harassment and a hostile or offensive environment. We recognize sexual harassment as unlawful discrimination, just as conduct that belittles or demeans any individual on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual preference, age, disability, or other similar characteristics or circumstances. ACCOMMODATIONS Clay Awhile is committed fully to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable federal, state, and local laws. Reasonable accommodation is available to any studio student, member and/or resident artist with a disability when the disability affects the ability to participate in a class or to create work in the studio.If you are currently disabled or become disabled, please contact Clay Awhile Staff to assist you with evaluating reasonable accommodations that may enable you to participate. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS Members/students shall, at their sole cost and expense, comply with all of the requirements of all municipal, state and federal authorities hereafter adopted pertaining to the use of said premises, and shall faithfully observe in said use all municipal ordinances and state and federal statutes now in force or which shall hereinafter be in force. INSURANCE LIABILITY Clay Awhile and Clay Awhile staff shall not be liable at any time for any loss, damage, or injury to the property or person of any whomsoever at any time occasioned by or arising out of any act or omission of the member/student or the occupancy or use of the premises, or directly or indirectly for any state or condition of the premises unless such liability is the result of any act or omission on the part of Clay Awhile.In the event that Clay Awhile is named as a party to any litigation as a result of the sole act of the member/student or the sole act of any person coming on the premises for the benefit of seeing the member/student, then the member/student shall provide to Clay Awhile at the member/student’s expense a complete defense to the action so filed and Clay Awhile in the event that the member/student does not provide such defense shall be authorized to employ attorneys of Clay Awhile Studios choice and the member/student shall be liable to Clay Awhile for the costs of such legal representation. Clay Awhile shall be liable and responsible for its own acts and omissions and to such extent this indemnification. No guarantee is offered, explicit or implied, regarding the quality or serviceability of fired work. Every precaution will be taken to ensure the best possible outcome for every firing. Use of the studio indicates you agree that you will not hold the studio, it’s volunteers, or any other person associated with the studio responsible for work that is damaged or defective in any way while in the studio at any stage of the process. While working with clay is relatively safe, there are hazards and risks. These risks include the possibility of injuries or illness related to the use of the studio, materials, or equipment. Use of the studio indicates you agree that you have been informed of the risks and have signed the Clay Awhile waiver.
SURVEILLANCE
Clay Awhile reserves the right to monitor by security cameras 24/7 to ensure the safety and well-being of all members, students, staff, visitors, and equipment.
Please note, the policies and guidelines outlined in this handbook are subject to change. The most current version of the handbook will be available on our website at all times. Any changes to the handbook will go into effect immediately following posting. Larger updates will also be communicated via email. Thank you for helping us create a fun and positive environment in our studio space! Updated December 2,, 2025