Studio Policies & Rules
OPEN STUDIO HOURS
Monday-Thursday 9:30am-9:30pm
Friday-Sunday 9:30am-7pm
Students MUST fully clean their workspace before leaving. We simply ask that you leave it clean, if not cleaner than when you started using it. Do not stay past the end of the open studio hours.
During open studio hours, students may use the common areas and the classrooms if space is available, they may NOT use the resident spaces.
While some members and residents have 24/7/365 use of the studio. We still ask that students and members use classrooms to work when classes are not in session.
Members and students are not allowed to sit in on workshops and classes for which they are not registered.
If you have a door code, you MAY NOT give your door code to anyone else, nor let anyone into the space outside of open studio hours. This is to ensure everyone’s safety – we know it seems simple and considerate to just let someone in, but please DO NOT open the door for anyone outside of open studio hours.
MAKE-UP CLASSES
If you miss a class, you may make up the missed class by attending a similar class within the same session. Each student may make up no more than three classes per semester. Make-ups are available subject to the space in the class you wish to attend. If the class is fully attended, you may not make up the class at that time. To make up a class, you must ask the teacher for permission to join. Make-ups are not guaranteed but are offered according to availability as a courtesy to our students.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To request a cancellation and refund, you must email hello@tacomaclay.com. Refunds requested more than one week before the first class are fully refundable. Refunds requested within one week of the first class are 50% refundable. There will be no refunds once the class begins. Should a class not be filled, we may cancel it one week before the first class session.
FIRING DEADLINES FOR STUDENTS
All students, even those continuing to the next semester, must submit work before the firing deadlines. Work ready for bisque and glaze firing is due during the last week of class. You will have 1-2 weeks as a courtesy to glaze fire your work if you are not continuing with our studio in a class, workshop or membership role.
GLAZES
Please be careful when moving glaze buckets. If you recklessly spill a glaze, you will be responsible for the cost of replacing it.
You must mix glazes before use. If a glaze appears to be too thick or too thin, please let your instructor or studio staff know so we can adjust them. Teachers and students are not permitted to adjust glazes by adding or removing water. Students can submit free test tiles identified with their named, symbol or signature. We ask that they are smaller than 2.5” in all dimensions in order for them to be free.
OUTSIDE CLAY & GLAZES
These can be used only with the approval of studio owners (Lucy and April). We want to be certain that the materials are safe for use in our space and kilns.
CLEANING
Clean up your work area when done working. This includes the wheel, splash pan, stool, the floor surrounding your wheel, bucket, tools, etc. Replace reusable plastic and newspaper in the appropriate areas, do not leave it around the studio, if your plastic is well-loved and torn you are welcome to dispose of it.
As much as possible, remove your work from the bat and transfer it to a wareboard before leaving it to dry. If you choose to bring your own bats, please label them! We are not responsible for unmarked bats being lost or added to the general population.
Clean up after yourself when using the extruder, glaze buckets, glaze table, handbuilding table or any other common area after you have finished using it. Replace all tools, glazes, oxides, banding wheels, etc. after you are finished using them.
Wedge all clay and return it to the appropriate bucket before leaving the studio. Clean and wipe down the wedging table after use. DO NOT leave any clay on the wedging tables as it can be mistaken and trashed. Some clays look the same in a wet stage but can act differently.
PLASTIC
If your plastic is well-loved and torn you are welcome to dispose of it. Unless noted we will cover your work with plastic the next day. This is a courtesy as the weather or air moisture is constantly changing. We also do this because the wet rims can warp when the plastic is laid immediately after throwing. That’s not fun after all the hard work is put in. Often we mess up and forget to cover work in time, we are sorry for that.
DUST & SANDING
Do not scrape or sand in the studio to prevent hazardous dust. Wet sanding is encouraged. Ideally when dry sanding please step outside, do it over a cup or bucket of water or over the trash can with a mask. To prevent clay dust from getting into the air use a wet sponge for cleaning instead. Brooms are available for dry dust but we prefer you use the mop and bucket.
GUESTS
Everyone is responsible for the conduct of their guests and guests may not be in the space without the member. We would prefer your guests do not to use our equipment without express permission. If a guest wishes to fire work, they must do so at the firing rate.
CLOSING
If you are the last to leave the studio you must clean up after yourself, turn off all lights, and make sure that the door closes firmly behind you.
EQUIPMENT TRAINING
If you have not been trained to use a piece of equipment, DO NOT USE IT. Ask staff for training on how to use the equipment. This includes the extruder, slab roller, spray booth, 3D printer, etc. If you break equipment because you used it without prior instruction, you will be liable for any damage caused.
KIDS
As moms, we understand that there are times when childcare is unavailable. Therefore you are permitted to bring your children to the studio while you are working. However, they should not be there for more than 2 hours at a time, and no more than once or twice a week. It is the parent’s responsibility to supervise the child. Keep in mind that this is a professional, shared studio space. Children may work with small amounts of clay. If they would like to fire anything, it must be done in the same manner as the parent’s work. The parent must ensure that it is safe to fire (no clay bombs!) and use the parent’s firing fees account.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Do not use others’ tools without direct permission. Avoid touching items on shelves that aren’t yours. Please be considerate of everyone work.
Avoid leaving valuables like rings in apron pockets or at the studio. We are not liable for lost or stolen items, so please keep track of your belongings. Your vigilance can prevent loss.
PICK-UP POLICY
All glaze work will be kept on the pick-up shelf after being unloaded for two months. Work remaining on the pick-up shelf two months after being placed there will be donated or tossed. Student bisque or glaze work left at the studio two weeks into the next semester will also be donated or tossed. Often you will see your work labeled with a date in marker. This will indicate when the piece was taken out of the kiln and when it will be disposed of. Rest assured the marker will burn out in the kiln.
CONSIDERATION OF OTHERS
Please be considerate of those around you by taking up only as much space as you need to work. Please be considerate of those around you by not talking too loudly, not talking to people wearing headphones, and generally respecting the library-esque atmosphere of the studio.
Please be aware of offering unsolicited advice. If someone needs help, they will ask. If you’d like to offer help, please ask first and listen if they say, “No, thank you.” Remember, people don’t always want help even if you think it might be useful.
TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT
Do not discriminate. Simply do not harass or sexually harass anyone at the studio. Harassment can include behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or interferes with anyone’s work performance. It can be based on many factors, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or genetic information. This will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave.
NO SMOKING
Our studio is in a no-vaping and no-smoking building, including the sidewalks outside of the building. If you need to smoke, please go across or down the street.