Student & Class FAQ
How are class levels organized?
Level 1 classes assume little to no prior knowledge of working with clay. Our instructors cover the fundamentals of working with wet clay and how to take work from greenware to fired and glazed pieces. You’ll also learn about studio practices such as glaze safety and using studio equipment.
These classes are developed for students new to clay, but all are welcome! Level 1 classes may also be a good choice for people with clay experience who want to learn a new mode of ceramics (e.g., a hand builder who is brand new to wheel throwing).
Level 2 classes assume a basic familiarity with the stages of clay. Our instructors introduce new techniques and skills and build in plenty of time for you to develop your fundamental knowledge of ceramics through practice and repetition! Students in these classes may have a wide range of technical skills, or a mixed range of skills and comfort. Most classes we offer will be at this level.
Level 3 classes assume a strong foundation in hand building and/or wheel techniques. Instructors teach at a faster pace and guide students in exploring more complex and challenging materials, processes, and techniques into their practice. "Independent Study" classes are at this level by default.
When do classes take place?
The Potters’ Studio offers 6-week and 12-week classes. The 2024 session dates are:
Session #1
12-week classes: January 8 – March 30
6-week classes: January 8 – February 17 and February 19 – March 30
Session #2
12-week classes: April 1 – June 22
6-week classes: April 1 – May 11 and May 13 – June 22
Session #3
12-week classes: June 24 – September 14
6-week classes: June 24 – August 3 and August 5 – September 14
Session #4
12-week classes: September 16 – December 11/21*
6-week classes: September 16 – October 19 and October 21 – December 11
* The Studio is closed Thursday, Dec. 12 to Sunday, Dec. 15 for our annual Holiday Sale. Make-up dates for classes scheduled Thursday through Sunday will be posted before Session #4 begins.
What is included in your classes?
25 lbs. of cone 10 clay
4 cubic feet of free firing space for 12-week classes and 2 cubic feet of free firing space for 6-week classes
Use of the studio tools and equipment
Storage cubby
Access to all of our studio’s cone 10 glazes (more than 20 in a range of colors and sheens), slips, stains, and oxides
What ages are your classes for?
Classes are for people ages 16 and up. We do not have classes for children.
Do you have Scholarship opportunities?
Yes! Our Maija Williams Scholarship is for BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ people and especially those aged 16-21 are encouraged to apply. Scholarships are for a class or 3-month Memberships. You can reapply and receive up to 4 classes or 12 months of membership.
Fill out the application form or donate to our fund HERE
New Student FAQ
Find a PDF of this guide + the New Student Orientation handbook HERE
Where is my cubby?
Student cubbies are upstairs. Student cubby numbers begin with S.
How do I buy clay?
Your teacher can always sell you clay during class (or right before/right after).
Staff in red aprons can sell you clay until 5:30pm. Staff cannot sell clay to Students or Members after 5:30pm.
Can I bring clay from home/somewhere else?
If you are a Student, we strongly prefer that you only use cone 10 clays provided by the Studio when working on your own during non-class hours. If mid-fire or low-fire clays are fired in our high-fire reduction kilns they can melt, puddle, and drip causing permanent damage to the kiln shelves and other components as well as damaging others’ work in the kiln. Anyone whose fired work damages kiln shelves and other kiln components will be invoiced to cover replacing the damaged shelves, kiln parts, and anything else directly impacted by your work.
Our clay recycling system, which is integral to our Studio operations, also cannot accommodate mid-fire or low-fire clays. If mid-fire or low-fire clays get into our recycling system we may be forced to discard hundreds of pounds of in-house recycled clay that our community and classes rely on.
So why are there racks and firing slips that say “Cone 6”?
Members may use mid-fire clays on the condition they manage their own clay recycling and don’t contaminate the Studio recycling system.
Visiting Artists sometimes teach Workshops using mid-fire clays.
Contract firers sometimes bring work to our Studio to fire at cone 6.
Can I bring my own glazes to the Studio?
There are many commercial glazes formulated to mature optimally in cone 10 reduction-fired kilns and you are welcome to use these on your work.
Please note: Some manufacturers use the term “high-fire” for commercial glazes that mature at rate much lower than cone 10. Read labels carefully!
If you are new to ceramics, we strongly recommend you use the Studio’s 20 cone 10 glazes only. We have tested and made these glazes ourselves and know how they perform on Studio clays and in our kilns – and thousands of Students learn to glaze with them every year. Almost every finished piece on our racks was glazed with Studio glazes. Take a look at the work on the Glaze Racks whenever you have a chance. You can learn a lot about glazing by looking through other pots made and glazed in our community with our in-house glazes!
When can I come to the Studio outside class hours?
See posted hours on our website and on signage around the Studio. There is no Student access to the Studio after-hours or on holidays (when Staff is not present).
Student hours change slightly every session depending on class times.
Student hours and drop-in hours (for non-Students and non-Members) may be impacted by Events, Workshops, and other activities.
Can I use the wheels in the Main Studio during Student Hours?
Students should look for open wheels in the Flex Space first.
You may always use a wheel in the Main Studio if the Flex Space wheels are all occupied, but please note that Members have priority should the Main Studio wheels fill up.
What are the perks of being a student?
o Free clay allowance
o You have until the fourth week of your class to pick up your 25# bag of class clay
o Generous firing allowance
o 4 cubic feet for 12-week classes and 2 cubic feet for 6-week classes
o Use of Studio glazes, slips, stains, and oxides throughout your class
o Full access to Clay Club, Glaze Club, and Raku Club. See flyers in the Studio and our website for more info
o Discounted weekend Workshops and Demos with Visiting Artists
o Priority registration for the next class session
o Priority access and discount for in-house Soda firing Workshops
When can I sign up for another class?
Students will get an email before the current session ends announcing a special open registration period just for returning Students.
How does firing work?
See the New Student Orientation handout. More information will also be covered throughout class.
How does glazing work?
See the New Student Orientation handout. More information will also be covered throughout class.
Can I take glazes, slips, stains, and oxides home to use on my class work-in-progress?
Unfortunately not. The glazes, slips, stains, and oxides provided for Students and Members are for use in the Studio only.
Can I take Studio tools home to use on my class work-in-progress?
Unfortunately not – we do sell tool kits though! Ask your Teacher or a Staff member in a red apron during open hours.
What is a damp room?
A humid enclosed space where greenware is stored so it dries more slowly. You can also wrap your work in plastic (available in the Studio) and store on Open Storage shelves and racks to achieve the same effect.
What is the “Rack of Doom”?
Essentially, where unclaimed work goes. See the New Student Orientation handout.
What do I need to know about ceramics safety?
See the New Student Orientation handout. More information will also be covered in class.
What are Teacher hours?
Our teachers are Teaching Artists and generally not full-time employees. They are available for 30 minutes before and after your class. Please respect their need to prep for class – save long questions for class time so everyone can benefit!
What are Studio hours?
Studio Techs are present from 10am to 6pm. All Studio Techs wear a Potters’ Studio red apron when they are on duty. Please do not disturb Staff when they are not wearing a red apron and are enjoying their own “clay time.”
Office Staff are present and available for questions from around 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday.
Clay Sales close at 5:30 pm. Please do not ask Studio Techs or other Staff to buy clay or sign off on your work after 5:30pm.
Firing slip sign-off by Staff ends at 5:30pm, when Student Hours end. Please do not ask Staff to sign off on your work after 5:30pm no matter how inconsequential your request may seem to you. Staff need this time to get the Studio ready for the next day.
Are there Student Hours on holidays?
No. On holidays there are no Staff and the Studio is open only to Members.
Can I buy clay on holidays?
No. There are no Staff working on holidays and the Studio is open only to Members.