Ceramics Studio Policies

Table of Contents

  1. Adult Ceramics Pick-up Policy
  2. Youth Ceramics Pick-up Policy
  3. Independent Studio Use
  4. Ceramics Materials and Firing Policies
  5. Liability Release

 

 

 

 

ADULT CERAMICS PICK-UP POLICY:

Adult ceramics participants are expected to retrieve their Bisque-ware and glazed fired finished work in a timely manner upon removal from the kilns. Bisque ware will be kept for one month after it has come out of the kiln. Items not picked up by the scheduled end of a semester will be boxed up will be discarded or donated half way through the next term. 

Adult participants NOT continuing into a subsequent semester of ceramics at The Umbrella must clear all personal items from the studio and if applicable clear off their classroom shelf by the end of their last class. Any remaining items will be boxed up and stored for one month from that date. Bisque-ware and finished pieces ready for or already in the kiln will be placed in the communal pick-up area. Items not picked up from the communal pick-up area will be discarded or donated half way through the next term.  

The Umbrella is not responsible for the condition or disappearance of any work for any reason.  Accidents, breakage, and unintended disappearance do occasionally happen. Special arrangements to retain work or hold it beyond the deadline for each semester must be made in writing before the deadline and will not be valid or accommodated without documented and dated confirmation by Umbrella staff, providing that accurate identification of the work in question can be made.

 

YOUTH CERAMICS PICK-UP POLICY:

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that a student’s finished fired work is picked up from The Umbrella. Ceramics are generally ready for pick-up 2 weeks after a class ends. Ceramics for pick up will be located on labeled shelves accessible in a public area near the ceramics studio during regular business hours. Notifications, if applicable, are sent by email to the parent’s email used for registration. The Umbrella will hold all ceramics work for 2 weeks from the date it is removed from the kiln. All ceramics after this period are subject to disposal. The Umbrella is not responsible for the condition or disappearance of any student work for any reason. Accidents, breakage, and unintended theft are common. Special arrangements to retain work or hold it beyond the deadline for each semester must be made in writing before the deadline and will not be valid or accommodated without documented and dated confirmation by Umbrella staff, providing that accurate identification of the work in question can be made.

 

INDEPENDENT CERAMICS:

Students should check the monthly and weekly schedule provided by the Ceramics Department for all available studio times. The following list of dates are scheduled holidays in which the Education Department is closed but the studios may or may not be used for other activities or events.  MLK Jr Day; February Vacation Week; April Vacation Week; Memorial Day; July 4th; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veterans Day; December School Recess (Christmas); New Year's Day.

 

CERAMICS MATERIALS AND FIRING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: 

Firing Services

Firing services are available for registered students and participants in the Independent Studio Program. We currently are not offering any firing services for individuals not enrolled in our programming. We are unable to accommodate production work/pottery. The volume of work allowed per semester is determined by our studio capacity, and excessive production is determined by the studio manager.

There are additional fees and restrictions for firing large work:  Pieces above 12" in height, length, or diameter require a $20 firing fee.  Pieces above 16" in height, length, or diameter require a $40 firing fee.  This fee is to be paid prior to bisque firing.  The fee must be submitted in an envelope with the name of the participant, and a description of the piece.  Participants are also limited to one piece over 12" in height, length or diameter per semester fired in our oxidation kilns.  There is no restriction on the number of pieces over 12" in height, length or diameter that can be fired in our reduction kiln.

Bisque and glaze-ware will be available for pickup on labeled carts. Carts will be provided and labeled for dropping off work. Please bring your own boxes and packaging; no packaging should be left behind.

Green ware will be fired and generally available in 2 weeks. Please keep track of this firing schedule in regards to individual drop-off dates. The studio has limited storage space, and as such, it is required that all participants retrieve their personal items within a timely manner. It is extremely helpful for you to be picking up your fired work as it becomes available!

All broken pieces will be fired and placed on the pick-up racks. We will not be leaving any notes or explanations if things occur, but please know we will do our best to take the utmost care of your wares. We apologize in advance if items break. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Purchasing Clay and Outside Clay

         Participants are limited to the use of 75lbs of clay per session.

         Clay is available for purchasing through The Umbrella Ceramics Studio and includes firing services. Clay must be purchased online.

         Clay purchased from outside of The Umbrella is allowed after consultation with the Studio Manager. A firing fee of $25/bag ($1/lb) will be charged for outside clays.

         Recycled clay can be purchased in our Main Studio area for $1/lb, payments to be made in cash into our cash box.

All clay used and fired at The Umbrella Ceramics Studio must be purchased through our website HERE

With express approval of the Ceramics Studio Technician, clay and glaze purchased from outside our facility may be approved for use.  However they must be rated for our firing temperature, Cone 6 or hotter. We highly recommend using the studio clay bodies if you intend on using studio glazes in the future. Students will be charged an additional firing fee of $25 per 25lb bag of clay purchased from an outside vendor. 

Procedures for Pick up and drop off services are detailed in our Ceramics Studio Services webpage.

Procedures for in-person studio drop-in are detailed in our Ceramics Studio Drop-in webpage.

Pick up and drop off and any in-person visits to the studio must be scheduled through the reservation lists sent out and available weekly to all registered participants. Students enrolled in classes in the studio have access for the class registration times.

 

LIABILITY RELEASE:

The Umbrella Arts Center and The Ceramics Studio are not liable for damage or loss of ceramic work or personal property.

Liability Release: Registered students agree to the following that participation in the Ceramics programs may involve some risk of personal injury and damage to the studio property: therefore, they assume all risks related to these activities and release The Umbrella, its directors and employees from all resulting liability from personal injury and property damage.