Studio Policies

General

Austin Pottery is primarily a learning community. It contains potters of all levels of experience and knowledge. We encourage sharing and trying new methods. Above all, however, we need to ensure the safety of all and to protect the equipment and the works of others. Any use of outside materials must be approved, in advanced, by Austin Pottery management.

Please be respectful of others’ work. Do not touch or handle other individuals’ work unless you have received permission to do so. If pots on greenware shelves (ready to bisque) or glazed shelves (ready for glaze firing) need to be moved, enlist a teacher or studio employee to move other people’s pots. Since we are a teaching and hobby studio, our business model does not support production potters. If you have a specific need, please talk with management The term ‘user’ will be used to refer to students and renters with studio privileges; the ‘Studio’ will refer to the premises of Austin Pottery Studio & Gallery.

Current studio policies are reflected in this online version. Changes to studio policies will be communicated to students and members via email as well as the weekly announcements at the beginning of class for students. Studio patrons are always required to comply with current studio policies.

If there is anything you don’t understand, including the guidelines, please ask your instructor or studio employee.

All members and students registered for multi-week classes must submit their agreement to the Austin Pottery Studio Policies and Release of Liability before beginning to use the studio facilities.

 

PARKING

  • Parking is available in front and in the lot behind the building. The back parking lot is accessed via a driveway from Shoalmont Dr. between the strip mall and first residential house.

  • When the Gallery is open and during Curbside Pick-up hours, always leave two parking spots open in front for gallery customers.

  • Some parking is allowed on the neighborhood streets, but you must have a residential permit after 3 p.m. for many areas.

  • Be mindful of the signs about permit requirements if you park on the streets. Do not park at our neighboring businesses.

 

Clay, Glaze and Firing

Clay

  • All clay used in the studio must be purchased from Austin Pottery. The clay price includes an additional amount that helps covers the materials and labor costs of the glazes and firings.

  • The Studio stocks a variety of high fire (C/10) clay bodies. Each bag must be clearly labeled with the clay name (e.g. BMix, Dillo White, etc), user’s name, and class day am/pm (if applicable).

  • Studio supplied underglazes and Mayco Stroke & Coat products are for accent use and for use by students during technique-specific lessons involving these materials. Students and Members who are heavy users of these materials are expected to supply their own.

Marking work

  • All work is to be clearly signed or marked before it is placed on the shelf for bisque firing. This will help the kiln loaders identify the maker if they have any questions. Any unmarked work will be placed on the ‘Unmarked’ area of the shelves and will not be fired.

  • All pots must be signed with at least one legible alpha character.  Symbols are allowed but there must be an accompanying alpha character included so pots can be dispersed to allocated shelving.

  • Only registered students or studio members may use the studio equipment and tools. Friends and family are welcome to visit during open studio hours but they may not make pots. Only the work of registered students and studio members may be glazed and fired at Austin Pottery.

Glazes

  • All users must adhere to the Austin Pottery Glazing Guidelines. A copy is always available in the glaze area and a hard copy is provided to all students at their initial glazing lesson.

  • Use only the glazes and washes provided by the studio.

  • Glazing during the user’s first session at Austin Pottery must be done under the supervision of their instructor until they have their approval for glazing independently.

  • The kiln loaders are handling everyone’s works and must know what they are dealing with for their safety and the safety of everyone’s works. An accurate glaze slip is required for all items to be glazed.

  • Any items the loader deems as ‘unsafe’ to fire will be placed on the ‘Oops Shelves’. Please check those shelves periodically.

  • No glaze on bottom ¼ inch of pot

  • Clean off any outer waxed areas of all glaze material.

  • Always thoroughly wipe all glaze off the bottom of your pots with a clean damp sponge before placing on the ‘to be glaze fired’ shelves.

  • Adhere to studio signage regarding shelves that are for newly glazed work vs. shelves which no new work is to be placed.

Glaze drips during firing

  • Drips happen, but you can prevent it! Make sure your pots have clean bottoms and the glaze isn't too thick on the lower half. Adherence to the Austin Pottery Glaze Guidelines is important!

  • If your pot drips or sticks to a kiln shelf, a studio staff member will assess the damage and make sure your pot is safe to handle. A grinding fee or replacement fee may be charged for the damaged shelf.

  • You may, occasionally, place a bisque tile (cookie) under your work for the shelf’s protection. This is not an acceptable method to handle improper glazing as it creates additional effort for the kiln loaders. Do not apply oxides, stains, etc. on the bottom of your work as that can transfer to the shelves.

 

Cleaning, Dust and Safety

  • The Studio aims to minimize the amount of dust in the Studio. The dust of clay bodies and some glaze materials can be respiratory irritants. Repeated, prolonged exposure to silica dust, due to its small size, can lead to long-term health problems.

  • It is the responsibility of all users to clean up any areas, equipment, and tools that they have used. The floor around your work area must also be cleaned. Cleaning must be done with wet sponges or mops. Sweeping of dried clay causes dust to become airborne for hours. Only sweep up clay trimmings from the floor while they are still moist or use sweeping compound. User’s shelves are to be cleaned periodically.

  • Any sanding, grinding, etc., must be done outside, away from other work.

  • Shoes are to be worn at all time at the Studio.

  • Specialized equipment, including extruders and slab tables, can only be used after proper instruction by a staff member.

 

Studio Hours / Open Studio, Studio Access and Class Schedules

  • Open studio refers to times when students can work on their own. Students must be able to work independently. Generally, times when classes are not occurring during normal studio hours, is considered ‘open studio’ time. The schedule is available on-line and posted in the studio.

  • Open studio hours are established to allow for studio cleaning and clearance of the parking spaces prior to folks arriving for the next classes.

  • The earliest students may arrive for morning classes is 30 minutes prior to class (9:30a.m.)

  • Students must adhere to the class end time which requires everyone to be cleaned up and exiting the studio at the class end time (1pm for morning classes unless staying for afternoon open studio; 9:30pm for evening classes).

  • Students not returning for next class session may not make new wet work on their last class or during open studio during the last week of classes. They may finish pots (trimming and glazing only) during the first two weeks of the next session during open studio hours.

  • Members must work in their designated areas during classes but may work in the open studio space during open studio if it is not full with student use. Students have priority for the glaze area during class time.

  • Members’ access times effective July, 2024 are: 10am-9:00pm Mon-Thurs; 10am-3:00pm Friday, and 10:00am-5:00pm Saturday & Sunday.

  • Effective July 2024, up to 3 days per month may be reserved for Corporate Events and there will be no open studio or member access during those afternoons. A schedule will be made available to all studio patrons.

  • Additional dates may be reserved for general studio maintenance or special events, please consult the Events calendar and studio notice boards for updates.

  • Class Schedules for the 7 and 8 week sessions are established around certain major U.S holidays that Austin Pottery Studio will be closed for. Prorated class registration fees or refunds are not given for missed classes otherwise.

 

Studio Etiquette

  • Food and drink must be consumed in the dining area only. Please clean up after yourself and wipe down any surfaces as needed. Studio dishes are to be washed with the detergent in the studio restroom sink; no solid items in sink, please. Only the studio restroom has hot water access.

  • Non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in the studio as long as it has a well-fitting lid.

  • Coffee and condiments are for everyone. Do not take food from the refrigerator unless it is yours. Label all items you place in the refrigerator (name & date). Please empty all containers before placing in the kitchen area recycling bins. The refrigerator will be cleaned regularly with reckless abandon.

  • Disposal of food and beverage containers/wrappings must go in the dining area trash receptacles w/ the plastic liners.

  • Alcohol is only allowed at events such as end of session potlucks and gallery events.

  • No smoking or vaping on the premises.

  • No fire arms allowed on premises, concealed or otherwise.

VISITING THE STUDIO

  • All students, staff, and members must sign in at the designated station when arriving at the studio for Open Studio or use of member space.

  • Patrons are asked not to visit the studio they are experiencing any new or worsening symptoms of possible COVID-19 or otherwise feel unwell and suspect that they are ill.

  • Patrons who receive a positive COVID-19 diagnosis after recently having visited the studio are asked to notify a studio manager so that the studio can alert other patrons and staff of a positive case (anonymous) for their awareness as necessary. Patrons are asked to refer to the CDC Guidance for Respiratory Illnesses to determine when they may return to the studio.

Refund Policy

  • For 7 and 8 Week For 7 and 8 Week Sessions - Refunds (less a $25 administrative fee) are available up to 14 days before the first day of class, after which point no refund will be given unless the spot can be backfilled. Registration fees are not transferable to other future classes. A minimum of 4 participants is required to make the class. Low registration numbers will result in cancellation and a full refund. Prorated class registration fees or refunds for missed classes are not provided.

  • For One-Time Classes - No refunds are available for cancellation, late arrival, or no-shows. Reschedules are not allowed. Registration may be transferred to another adult (age 18+). The minimum number of participants required to make the class is 4. Low registration numbers will result in cancellation and a full refund.

 

Please see a manager if you have any questions about the studio policies.

At Austin Pottery, we aim to create a fun and safe environment!

last updated June 20, 2024