studio policies & terms

Clay Commons is a community for potters. This community-minded ethos extends to the usage guidelines and terms to ensure a fulfilling and positive experience for everyone.

Studio Guidelines

Clay Commons is a community for potters. This community minded ethos extends to the usage guidelines to facilitate a positive experience for everyone. As a shared space we each have responsibility to contribute to its upkeep and maintenance.

By joining the studio collective, you agree to comply with the rules and guidelines listed below. Failure to do so may result in the suspension of studio use without fee reimbursement.

General Rules

Members are expected to treat other with respect regardless of experience level. No harassment, bullying, or discrimination will be tolerated.
Please endeavour to leave the studio cleaner than when you found it. Members are responsible for cleaning up their own workspaces.
Each member of the studio is responsible for protecting themselves and reducing risks for those around them in this shared space.
Keep to your designated shelf for storage and respect each members’ designated spaces.
Do not move any other members’ work without their express permission.
If you cause any damage to the studio or to someone else’s work, even by accident, please inform studio admins immediately.
Drinks and beverages are fine to consume in the space, however food is prohibited. Please ensure any food-related garbage is disposed outside the studio to prevent pests.
Dogs and cats are welcome, however please respect each members’ preferences and check if they are comfortable with your animals being in the space.
Music is welcome, however if you’d like to use the speakers, please check with members in the space before playing anything out loud.
Usage of the pottery studio space and equipment is strictly reserved for paid all-access, part-time and hourly members.
Guests are permitted in the studio but must be accompanied by a Clay Commons member at all times. Any guest utilising studio equipment or workspace must pay the applicable guest fee prior to starting work.
When leaving, always make sure to turn off the lights, any wheels, and the air conditioning.
Make sure to book your studio time in the calendar – ideally at least 12 hours in advance, to allow every member to plan time accordingly.
Members are responsible for their own tool storage and clay reclaiming.

Clay and Glaze

All members are responsible for providing their own clay. Group clay purchasing will be arranged from time to time to save on delivery fees and manage delivery times.
All members are responsible for providing their own glazes. For safety, if you would like to mix your own glazes, please let the studio admin know in advance.
Studio clay and glazes are reserved for public programmes such as the art café and workshops.
Members are responsible for ensuring that all clay and glazes used are compatible with the studio’s firing temperatures (group fires will primarily be cone 5 and 6). Individual fires at different temperatures must be approved separately by studio admin.
If a member’s work causes damage to the kiln or kiln furniture due to improper material use, glaze running, or explosions caused by trapped air/moisture, the member may be charged for replacement shelves and/or maintenance and repairs required.

Cleaning

Thoroughly clean used tabletop surfaces, wheels, splash pans, batts, ware boards, wedging table (scrape off any excess clay left behind), and tools with a wet sponge.
Check floor area around wheel for fallen pieces of clay, splatter, or water and clean with a wet sponge.
Return all tools to their respective storage areas – your own or common spaces.
After glazing, wipe down glaze buckets and mop or sponge spills on the floor.
If you are using powder glaze or raw chemicals, please alert members in the studio and use a mask / separate yourself for safety.
There is NO CLAY ALLOWED IN THE SINK. This is to avoid clogs that can result in costly repairs. Let sediments settle to the bottom of your water bucket. Pour only the water settled on top into the sink. Members found violating this policy may be charged a plumbing maintenance fee or face membership suspension.
Put slurry and clay pieces into your reclaim.
The studio will be mopped once a week. If you wish to clean the floor around your wheel or floor do NOT sweep – use wet mop only.

Safety

Only trained kiln users will have access to operate the kiln.
Never look into the spy hole of a kiln when it is firing.
Never rest anything on the lid of the kiln.
Never shake out a sheet of plastic or canvas. Keep your shelves clean from clay dust and bits.
Keeping the floor clean of fallen clay is one of the most effective ways to keep it down.

Membership Terms

Membership Terms & Conditions

These are the terms and conditions for membership at Clay Commons studio.

1. General

1.1 By joining the studio, all members agree to adhere to the studio usage guidelines and code of conduct outlined.

1.2 Members who help run studio public programmes will receive a membership fee credit as thanks for their time and effort. Credit amount will be determined by individual programme needs, and will be applied to the member’s account for the following month fees.

1.3 All members can propose and run their own programmes or workshops subject to approval and scheduling by studio admin.

1.4 Fees for firing bisque and glaze works are not included in membership fees, and are charged separately. Please refer to the firing fees and schedule for more information. Members will be invoiced monthly for their firing and must be settled each month.

1.5 The studio reserves the right to refuse to fire any work that is deemed a risk to the kiln (e.g., pieces that are too thick, improperly vented, or using unverified materials).

1.6 Once work has been fired and placed on the collection shelves, members have 30 days to collect their pieces. Due to limited storage space, work left beyond 30 days will be considered abandoned and may be disposed of, recycled, or sold by the studio.

1.7 Upon the termination or expiration of a membership, members must remove all personal tools, clay, and unfired work from their designated shelves within 7 days of their final active date. Any items (including finished work) remaining after this period will be deemed abandoned and handled at the studio’s discretion.

1.8 These Terms and Conditions, and any associated benefits, are subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of Clay Commons.

2. Liability & Assumption of Risk

2.1 Personal Safety: The member acknowledges that working in a pottery studio involves inherent risks, including but not limited to the use of sharp tools, heavy equipment, high-temperature kilns, and exposure to ceramic dust and chemicals. By joining Clay Commons, the member assumes all risks associated with studio use and agrees to hold the studio and its staff harmless from any claims of personal injury or health issues arising from studio activities.

2.2 Personal Property: Clay Commons is not responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of any personal property, including tools, clay, or finished ceramic work.

2.3 Insurance: Members are encouraged to maintain their own insurance for personal property and health. The studio does not provide insurance coverage for individual members or their belongings.

3. All-Access Membership

3.1 Minimum membership period at this rate is 6 months and includes an initial deposit for two months (first-month fees + security deposit).

3.2 Membership fees are due to be paid on or before the 1st of each month.

3.3 If membership is terminated before the 6-month minimum period, you will forfeit your security deposit.

3.4 After the initial 6-month period, members must provide written notice of cancellation at least 30 days prior to their next billing cycle to receive a full security deposit refund. The security deposit will be returned upon successful termination, provided no damage has been caused to the studio.

3.5 A membership pause can only be implemented for a maximum of one month at a time, and once per year.

3.6 All-access members can book studio time on a 24/7 availability basis, excluding black-out dates for public programmes (limited per month).

3.7 All-access members are invited to participate in studio decision-making and programme planning, and are required to attend quarterly meetings to discuss studio matters.

4. Part-time Membership (Weekdays, Weekends)

4.1 Usage for part-time memberships is capped at 12 hours per month.

4.2 Members can only book studio time based on the membership type that they have, excluding blackout dates for public programmes (limited per month). Weekdays membership includes studio time Monday through Friday. Weekends membership includes studio time Saturday through Sunday.

4.3 Subject to availability, founding part-time members are entitled to switch to All-Access membership at the founding member rates.

4.4 Membership fees are due to be paid on or before the 1st of each month.

4.5 Part-time members are invited to participate in studio decision-making and programme planning, and can opt to attend quarterly meetings to discuss studio matters.

5. Hourly Membership Packages

5.1 Hourly members are entitled to book studio time on a 24/7 availability basis, excluding black-out dates for public programmes (limited per month).

5.2 Once an hourly package is finished, members will need to either top-up or purchase a new package in order to continue booking studio time.

5.3 If an hourly package expires before all hours are utilised, members can re-activate expired hours by purchasing a new package.

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