Welcome!
This page is to help you keep track of your ceramic experience at the SAA. It will help you to answer questions you might have, review studio procedures and policies, and will allow you to be in contact with the Ceramic Studio Manager at the bottom of the page.
Please read our studio policies before starting your session. We hope you enjoy your time in class!
Please read our studio policies before starting your session. We hope you enjoy your time in class!
Studio Procedures - Click to Expand
While working in our community studio we ask that you wear closed toed shoes and abide by the policies below.
- Clean your table work space, wheel, and floor area 15 minutes prior to end of every class. Wipe down any surfaces you used. Clean and return any studio tools you borrowed.
- Do not empty clay slop buckets directly into the sink drains. Empty clay slop in to the reclaim buckets and please use the strainers for remaining clay water. Only clay should be going in to the reclaim buckets; do not add water from your bucket or slip guard, do not reclaim any clay with powders on the surface, and please break down large pieces of clay to better breakdown in the reclaim.
- Do not enter the kiln room or operate any equipment that you are not trained to operate.
- Clearly label all of your tools, clay, and personal glazes with your name in permanent marker. You are also responsible for laundering your own towel and apron.
- Do not bring food-labeled containers for storage on your personal ware shelf.
- At the end of every session, please take all finished pieces home and tidy up your shelf if you plan to return.
Flip your name card to "returning" to let the Studio Manager know you plan to reclaim the same shelf next session. - Ware and tools left behind after the session has ended will be removed from the studio before the following session begins.
- We stock a finite set of glazes in the studio. This includes 20 vibrant stroke and coat colors and a rotating stock of studio-made dip glazes. If you would like to use additional glazes you are welcome to purchase them. Running test tiles of these personal glazes is strongly encouraged.
- We reserve the right to refuse to load ware that has not been properly prepared for the kiln. This includes pots with glazed bottoms that have not been appropriately cleaned.
- Large pieces that do not fit on a single shelf take longer to fit in the firing schedule. Ask your instructor or the Studio Manager for guidance as needed.
Resources for Students
If you are new to clay or just want a refresher, these guides can be downloaded and printed for personal reference.
| pef_studio_policies_f24.pdf |
| glazing_guides.pdf |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When can I come pick up my finished work, other than during my class?
A: Monday through Friday from 9am - 5pm or Saturday from 10 AM - 3 PM. If the studio is locked during these times, please visit the office to have someone unlock it for you. The ceramics studio manager will communicate via e-mail when pieces are ready for pickup after the end of class sessions.
Q: When is open studio? How does that work?
A: Days and times are subject to change from session to session due to the class schedule, but open studio information will always be posted on the whiteboard just inside the door and on our Open Studio page [https://www.springfieldart.org/open-studio.html]. Open studio is available to both current and past students, but only currently enrolled students are entitled to a personal ware shelf. The cost to attend is $10 per hour, which includes use of studio glazes and firing [https://www.springfieldart.org/open-studio.html]. Clay is not provided, but can be purchased for $15/25lbs [https://www.springfieldart.org/art-supplies.html]. There will be a staff-appointed facilitator present at open studio, but they will not be teaching during this time. Open studio is meant for self-directed work. You must sign in when you arrive, follow all posted studio policies, sign out, and deposit your payment in the drop box by the door as you leave.
Q: If I skip a class, can I make up that time for free during open studio?
A: No, a skipped class due to a vacation or other prior engagement is not eligible to be made up. If you are forced to miss a class due to a medical or family emergency, then yes. Inform your instructor first, who will pass the information along to the Education Director.
Q: How much does extra clay cost?
A: $15 for a 25 pound bag, regardless which claybody you choose. There is a link to pay by credit card in the online shop. Clay can be picked up during business hours in the pug room. Sign out the clay in the log, including payment type. Cash and check are accepted in the drop box.
Q: Can I bring in work to be fired that was not made in class or open studio?
A: Yes. We will fire outside work for $1 an item (depending on size). If the work takes up one shelf the cost is $10 per shelf. If your work will fill a full kiln it is $30. Size pricing is determined by the Ceramics Studio Manager and Education Director. You will purchase kiln space via the cash box in the studio. Fill out a "kiln ticket" found with the envelopes next to the cash box. Student work made in classes receive priority and will be fired first. These pieces will be fired in a timely fashion and used to fill kilns as space becomes available. Commercial bisqueware not purchased through the SAA will not be fired. Pieces that are glazed on the bottom will not be fired. Pieces must be Cone 04 or Cone 6 rated and set on the respective shelves in the studio. Leave contact info on the "kiln ticket" placed with your work and the Studio Manager will notify you when your work has been fired and unloaded.
The Studio Manager can be contacted via email at [email protected]
A: Monday through Friday from 9am - 5pm or Saturday from 10 AM - 3 PM. If the studio is locked during these times, please visit the office to have someone unlock it for you. The ceramics studio manager will communicate via e-mail when pieces are ready for pickup after the end of class sessions.
Q: When is open studio? How does that work?
A: Days and times are subject to change from session to session due to the class schedule, but open studio information will always be posted on the whiteboard just inside the door and on our Open Studio page [https://www.springfieldart.org/open-studio.html]. Open studio is available to both current and past students, but only currently enrolled students are entitled to a personal ware shelf. The cost to attend is $10 per hour, which includes use of studio glazes and firing [https://www.springfieldart.org/open-studio.html]. Clay is not provided, but can be purchased for $15/25lbs [https://www.springfieldart.org/art-supplies.html]. There will be a staff-appointed facilitator present at open studio, but they will not be teaching during this time. Open studio is meant for self-directed work. You must sign in when you arrive, follow all posted studio policies, sign out, and deposit your payment in the drop box by the door as you leave.
Q: If I skip a class, can I make up that time for free during open studio?
A: No, a skipped class due to a vacation or other prior engagement is not eligible to be made up. If you are forced to miss a class due to a medical or family emergency, then yes. Inform your instructor first, who will pass the information along to the Education Director.
Q: How much does extra clay cost?
A: $15 for a 25 pound bag, regardless which claybody you choose. There is a link to pay by credit card in the online shop. Clay can be picked up during business hours in the pug room. Sign out the clay in the log, including payment type. Cash and check are accepted in the drop box.
Q: Can I bring in work to be fired that was not made in class or open studio?
A: Yes. We will fire outside work for $1 an item (depending on size). If the work takes up one shelf the cost is $10 per shelf. If your work will fill a full kiln it is $30. Size pricing is determined by the Ceramics Studio Manager and Education Director. You will purchase kiln space via the cash box in the studio. Fill out a "kiln ticket" found with the envelopes next to the cash box. Student work made in classes receive priority and will be fired first. These pieces will be fired in a timely fashion and used to fill kilns as space becomes available. Commercial bisqueware not purchased through the SAA will not be fired. Pieces that are glazed on the bottom will not be fired. Pieces must be Cone 04 or Cone 6 rated and set on the respective shelves in the studio. Leave contact info on the "kiln ticket" placed with your work and the Studio Manager will notify you when your work has been fired and unloaded.
The Studio Manager can be contacted via email at [email protected]
