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ACCESS:
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Fully close the patio gate and ALWAYS ensure it is locked (handle lock turned vertical) at arrival & upon leaving. No Main Street/Gallery front door access
Each member is assigned a personal gate code. Students ring gate doorbell for access
Members have access when a class is NOT in session
No guests allowed during studio time
Student Open Studio Hours: 3 hours/week outside of class: Tues/Thurs: 12-4 and Sat: 1-4
Bikes may be parked inside the gated patio. If a patio class is in session, ask instructor where the best place is to park
WIFI: VAC Password: 28WestMain
Do not enter the gallery space when they are closed
Exit and enter through the back door and gate only.
The studio may close due to special events, check calendars & emails.
STUDIO ETIQUETTE:
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Be considerate of others work, do not touch, move, or bump pieces that do not belong to you
We love music & good conversations, however, please use earbuds and minimize distractions when others are working. Take phone calls outside
If you use the studios tools, slab roller or extruder be sure to clean properly and return pieces back where they belong
Bats should be returned the same day of use with greenware moved to drying boards/ware boards and wrapped if needed
After you are done on the wheel, clean wheel, splash pan, table, wheel legs, chair, water bucket
Place pedal, cord, and stool on top of wheel, wipe down floor around your wheel with sponge.
Rinse out any sponges you’ve used and put them away clean
Place slip/slop in blue buckets; nothing from the floor goes in the blue or clay scraps recycling. Put it in the trash instead
Start cleanup at least 15 minutes before the studio closes; you should be cleaned up by class, open hours, or studio end time
Students: At each class meeting look for your fired bisqueware to store at home until glazing day. Take home finished glaze fired pieces after each firing
GENERAL
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ONLY Cone 5/6 white clay is allowed for use within the studio. Aardvark B-Mix with grog is our standard
To purchase clay: https://www.vitaartcenter.com/membership-enrollment scroll to bottom of page and checkout. Notify ceramics@vitaartcenter.com of purchases
Only members who throw/hand build with red/black/brown clay outside of the studio can bring those items in for firing
MEMBERS ONLY: A $10 fee is required for all other types of white cone 5 clay use in studio (porcelain, Texas white, speckled, etc.)
No glazes, tools or studio equipment of any kind should be removed from the studio
We do not accommodate production work (in this case the definition of production is high-volume/market/sales work). More than 25 mug sized pieces per month is considered production and is not allowed
The size limit for ceramic work is 12"
Please take your finished work home with you within 30 days
Abandoned, dried out or not labeled pieces will be discarded after 30 days
Regular studio purges occur at least twice per year, everything must be taken home during a purge
The studio is not responsible for pieces that break during the firing process or get thrown out if abandoned for more than 30 days
STUDIO MEMBER STORAGE
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Clay storage: All bags of clay must be clearly marked with your name
Member clay is stored near the slab roller on marked shelves
Members have assigned shelf for supplies, tools and for drying, Consider a plate/spice rack for additional space on your shelf
Return communal bats same day or bring in your own for longer drying
All greenware shall be dried on your shelf, special exceptions to be arranged with manager ahead of time
STUDENT STORAGE
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Student clay is stored on their communal class shelf
Clay left after classes have finished will be donated/recycled
Move pieces from bats to a drying board before the end of each visit/class
Store freshly thrown greenware on communal class shelves
Pieces should be clearly marked with masking tape or a paper tag (and covered with plastic if needed)
After trimming, allow items to become bone dry before putting on 05 bisque shelf for firing
Student work will be stored for 2 weeks after it comes out of the kiln. It is the student's responsibility to pickup work during open hours or to schedule a pickup time.
WEDGING TABLE
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For wedging and reclaiming clay only
Only use plastic scraper (no metal)
Clean with water and sponge
GLAZING / FIRING
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We fire our Skutt electric kiln to cone 05 for bisque and cone 5 for high fire glazing
We do not do any single firings- all work must be bisque fired first
Students do not glaze until instructors have covered in class
Wax resist should be used prior to glazing pieces
Keep bottom ¼” of each piece glaze free, make sure to wipe any glaze off bottom with clean damp sponge
Thoroughly stir all glazes; improperly mixed glazes result in altered finishes
Follow instructions on 6L dipping buckets: dip for 2 seconds and allow to dry thoroughly
Pint glazes are only for use with brushes (no dipping or poring)!
Do not cross contaminate glazes; clean whisks/brushes/utensils between colors. Always allow first glaze coat to fully dry before using additional glaze
When finished glazing, wipe down glaze container, counter and any excess glaze you’ve spilled on buckets or floor
Do not pour off or add water to glazes. If a glaze needs attention inform instructor/management if a glaze is too thick or thin
Outside glazes: members and students should get approval from studio manager/instructor before purchasing/bringing in cone 5 glazes for use. All outside glazes require a test tile fired prior to glazing any pieces
All pieces will be fired on a cookie. Do not glaze bottoms of pieces
Expect firing times to vary and plan accordingly. While we strive to fire weekly, it can take 2 weeks for your bisque items to be completed and up to two weeks for them to then be high fired. Large items may require additional time
No crackle glazes are allowed
SINK (Cink) USE
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All slip/slop, clay chunks, etc should be emptied into the blue 5 gallon buckets outside
Cink's are only for washing splash pans, bats, tools, brushes, etc...
Cink's are for ceramic use ONLY. No soaps, food, or chemicals.
Get all water for ceramic use outside from the white bucket or inside from the wall spigot with hose.
Empty all water outside into a blue 5 gallon bucket
If the Cink is not draining, the motor is running for more than 5 minutes, or it is leaking, inform staff onsite or text/call Holly or Mary. If you are unable to reach anyone please unplug the troubled Cink
SAFTEY
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The kiln is for staff/instructors use only, do not open, unload or load items
Any accidents/broken items need to be reported to a manager
Keep dust down - clean areas with damp sponges
No sanding in the studio. Instead use sandpaper outside on patio
Dry all wet items. Dry water and clean any spills on the floor
Do not use equipment you have not been instructed on how to use.
Wear closed toed shoes, this is not enforced but you accept responsibility for any injuries from improper footwear.
Today's Date
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Studio Policies Agreement & Liability Waiver Submission *
I acknowledge by my completion of this form that I have read and reviewed the Ceramic Studio Policies for Vita Art Center. I agree to follow those policies while making pottery in Vita Art Center classes or studio space. I am fully aware that working with clay and making pottery carries with it a risk of personal injury or harm even when all procedures are followed and all precautions undertaken. I acknowledge that I am aware of the risks of injury/illness and knowledgeable of the rules, equipment, and practices being employed by Vita Art Center to minimize my risk of sustaining an injury/illness while making pottery in Vita Art Center classes or studio space. I agree to use all required safety equipment and follow all safety protocols, rules and instructions from Vita Art Center teachers and staff.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY: I hereby release and hold harmless Vita Art Center, their officers, employees, volunteers, managers, boards and landlords, from and against any and all liability, loss, damages, claims, or actions (including costs and attorneys’ fees) for all injuries and/or property damage incurred while I engage in activities at Vita Art Center.
I have read and understand this Acknowledgement and Receipt of Studio Guidelines and Protocols and Release of Liability Agreement. I give permission to Vita Art Center for emergency transportation and/or treatment in the event of illness or injury. I hereby accept responsibility for the payment of any emergency transportation and/or treatment. I further certify that I have no medical, physical or emotional conditions that would restrict my participation in this activity or program.
I have read and agree to the Studio Policies & Liability Waiver.
I've decided NOT to utilize Vita Art Center studio facilities at this time.