Portland Clay House Policies

Students and members are expected to read and adhere to the policies. Not “knowing” the policy is not an acceptable excuse to break studio policies. 

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• Please be aware that kiln firings can have unpredictable results and, as such, we cannot guarantee the final product. Damage and/or unwanted results during the entire loading, firing, and unloading process are not the responsibility of the studio. 

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• During classes/workshops, access to some equipment may be limited. Please check our posted schedule in the studio or online. Students may not access open studio while another class or workshop is in session. Members will retain 24/7 access to the studio. 

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• New members MUST have recent pottery experience, the ability to work independently, and take a 30 min orientation to collect your door access code.

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• Membership includes:

  • 24/7 open studio access​

  • Use of community tools, wheels, and equipment

  • Studio glazes

  • Kiln firing fees

  • A members-only online forum

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• We have three membership tiers: 

  • Two-Shelf Members: Members will be provided TWO 36”x24" shelves.

    • This is a great option for light production potters (online sellers, small boutiques and craft show sellers). Not exceeding firing more that 10 items a week (that's a rough estimate, depending on the size of your pieces). If you need to fire more, talk to us about purchasing another shelf to cover additional kiln and glaze use. 

  • Standard Members will be provided ONE 36"x24" shelf.  

    • This is our most common membership level.  Fits most studio potter needs. If you are making more than 5 pieces a week (depending on size) you might want to move up a tier. ​ We get that around holidays your production rate may be higher.

  • Open Shelf Members:  Members are provided a shared shelf area to store bisque or greenware.   

    • Note: Shelving space is first come-first-serve.  Please don't move others' works to fit yours on a shelf (and on the other end, must be mindful of how you place pieces on the shelves so other people can fit their work on them– Golden Rule principle).

    • This is meant for those who often bring work home to work on, or those willing to sacrifice shelf space to pay less in membership. Clay bags, tools, and supplies may not be stored on the open shelves. This also a great option for potters who have equipment at home and just need access to glazes and kiln firing. 

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• Class Students:

  • Tools, Glaze, and Clay provided

  • Students enrolled in multiweek classes will be provided open shelving space, shared with fellow class members.

  • Students may not use studio while other classes/workshops are in session to help with limited space-schedules will be posted).

  • Glaze and up to 3 fired completed pieces included. 

  • No new pieces can be created on the last day of class, but students will have access to the studio for 1 week after class has ended to finished up and glaze. ​​

  • Students have 30 days to pick up finished pieces. Unclaimed pieces will be disposed of.

  • Class students will sign the bottom of their pieces with their name. You'd be surprised how similar pieces look after being fired. 

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• Workshop Students:

  • ​Students enrolled in workshops will only have access to the studio during the workshop time frame and to pick up finished pieces.

  • Workshop students will choose a glaze prior to leaving the class. Studio management will glaze and fire pieces for workshop students to pick up. Studio makes no guarantee on finished pieces. The nature of working clay is variable, it’s not a perfect process and sometimes for various factors your beautiful piece doesn’t make it out of the kilns. Workshops are intended to be fun and help you learn or hone your skills. It’s the journey and “end products” are not guaranteed. 

  • Workshop students have 30 days to pick up finished pieces. Unclaimed pieces will be disposed of.

  • Workshop students will sign the bottom of their pieces with their name. You'd be surprised how similar pieces look after being fired. 

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• All clay must be purchased from the studio to guarantee safety in firing unless permission is given by management. We bisque fire to cone 04 (zero 4)  and glaze fire to cone 6. We will provide a list of clay from area retailers that is compatible if requested. **Students can only use clay provided by the studio**.​

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• Studio members assume all responsibility for any damages and/or loss incurred during, or as a direct result of, their use of the space. 

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• Only registered students and active studio members may use the studio and equipment.

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• Members are not permitted to host their own classes or private lessons in the studio (with non-studio members). 

  • That said, to foster the growth and community building, we will have member-led workshops, for a small fee. Payments will go directly to the member teaching the workshop. This will be facilitated by studio management under specific parameters. If you have a skill you’d love to share, let us know and we can work on a member workshop schedule. 

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• Health and Safety are of utmost importance. Safety guidelines are in place to protect all members, staff, and visitors. Please read ‘Health & Safety’ section below for more information. We are not responsible for accidents or incidents resulting from improper and/or unsafe use of the studio. 

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• Portland Clay House  is not responsible for lost, stolen, or misplaced items. Please be sure you check all areas of the studio where you may have worked before leaving for the day. If you find an item please put it in lost and found. Label tools and supplies that you bring from home.  

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• Only registered participants may attend a class or workshop. Childcare is not provided and non-registered guests will be asked to leave. Refunds will not be provided and no exceptions can be made. We have insurance liabilities we must adhere to. 

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• Upon ending membership, we will dispose of your work if it is not cleaned out of your cubby at the time of your membership has ended. We are not responable for left behind items.

• Students have 1 week after the class has ended until the shelves will be be cleared. We will hold finished (glazed) pieces for 30 days before we dispose of the pieces. Student pieces must have their names on the pieces.  

• Our community goals are in our name. “House” or home. We want members and students to feel welcome and respected. For members and students to thrive in a space that fosters growth and friendship and that is free of ANY disrespect, harm, or harassment. We, the staff at Portland Clay House expect the same kind of treatment. Portland Clay House has the right to refuse access to any person(s) at any time. 

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• Please respect all members and students of the studio. Do not disrupt them while they are working, use their tools, or touch their work/possessions without their permission. We want to foster a collaborative inviting space, but that looks different for different people. We want introverts and extroverts to coexist peacefully. 

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• Please be respectful of instructors and studio staff that may be working on personal projects during their free time. If you have questions or need assistance during this time, please email us at info@portlandclayhouse.com

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• Please be courteous and accommodating of any classes or workshops taking place in the studio. If a staff member asks you to clean up your work area to prepare for a class or workshop, please do so quickly and efficiently. Do not disturb instructors or students, and try to keep noise to a minimum. 

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• No shouting or yelling in the studio… (unless your finished glazed piece came perfectly and you spent weeks working on it and your excitement can’t be contained).

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• No smoking of any kind in the studio or within 10 yards of premises. 

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• Please practice cell phone courtesy when in the studio and take any phone conversations outside.

• The studio promotes the sharing of best practices and an overall community appreciation of ceramic work. Please be respectful of intellectual property and do not photograph or otherwise appropriate any work, procedures, methods, or likewise of any studio members, staff, or guests without permissions. 

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• If you have special needs for you or your work please communicate this clearly to staff ahead of time. A conversation along with a written note and/or email will assist in the working relationship of the studio. 

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• In the case that human error or a ceramic error happens, please be considerate to staff and fellow artists. Portland Clay House staff work hard to provide the most professional studio atmosphere possible. Staff are willing to discuss these situations in a professional manner. Hostile, accusatory communication is not acceptable.

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• In the event that staff, members, and/or students break or damage any personal property, including ceramic work, they must leave a note for the owner. 

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• Please do not create a negative environment for other people in the space. Staff have the right to ask any person to leave if they are negatively affecting the studio environment and/or safety. 

• This is a wet-cleaning studio (damp sponges and mops to limit clay dust) and all members and students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves in accordance with the following guidelines. If guidelines aren’t being followed please alert the staff or management. For everyone’s safety, continued safety and cleaning violations are subject to a forfeit of your membership or class. No refunds will be provided. We at Portland Clay House are nice people but safety and cleaning are SUPER DUPER important. 

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• Common areas such as the glaze station, wedging tables, sink area, etc. must be wiped down and cleaned with fresh water immediately after use. 

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• Do not let clay dry out on surfaces-- always clean up your wedging or work area right away with water and a sponge. 

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• Do not let large amounts of water sit on table tops and other wood surfaces as it will warp the wood. 

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• Beware and limit any studio actions that create dust, as airborne particles are hazardous to all of our health. Sweeping of trimmings is allowed but must be done slowly and carefully with the large squeegee to avoid kicking up dust. 

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• When finished using a wheel, ensure that it has been switched off before following posted cleaning instructions. 

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• Wash all community tools, buckets, bats (including the rims), wareboards, etc. and put away prior to leaving. We have a pre-rinse bucket for tools. Bring fresh water back to your station to keep the sink area open. 

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• Check your throwing buckets for any tools before dumping it into the reclaim bins/sink. (Sharp pointy things hurt)

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• When cleaning glaze material, pre-rinse your glaze materials in the designated pre-rinse bucket prior to using the sinks.  

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• Glaze tools such as whisks, spatulas, and tongs, must be thoroughly cleaned between glazes and after use. Contamination between glaze buckets can ruin an entire batch of glaze and disrupt use for other artists in the studio. If a glaze batch is ruined as a result of improper use, artists may be charged for the materials and the time it takes to replace it. 

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• There is ABSOLUTELY no clay or glaze material to be washed in the bathroom sink. Use the studio clay sink in the community area for filling buckets, cleaning, and anything clay/glaze-related. Wash any clay/glaze from your hands before entering the bathroom.

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• Mop after all the other cleaning protocols are followed. We have cool mops that are fun to use. You may even be so inspired by the mops that you want to buy them for your own home. True fact, this has happened. Amazon. You can find them on Amazon. 

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• Final cleaning is to be done using fresh water and a clean sponge. Using dirty sponges can lead to the spreading of thinner layers of clay-water which evaporate and leave dust. 

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• Please dispose of trash and recycling in the appropriate cans. 

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• Follow all posted signage. If you are unsure of any clean-up procedures, please ask a member of staff. 

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• A fee may be charged to cover any mess left behind, damage, or loss resulting from improper studio use. 

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Health and Safety Rules ​

• Do not touch the kilns. For real, they are HOT!

• Do not run in the studio. 

• Silica dust is extremely dangerous. All measures possible should be taken to minimize the creation of excess clay dust throughout the studio. Additional information can be found here: https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/silica-dust/ and here: https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/silica-dust/silicosis/

• All dry sanding is to be done outside.

• Spills must be cleaned up immediately and staff must be informed of any accidents that could be unsafe.

• When applying stain and sponging off it is wise to wear rubber gloves. Some stains may be absorbed through the skin and the amount of colorant in stains is a much higher percentage than glaze. Copper, manganese dioxide, and other colorants may be absorbed through the skin with prolonged exposure. 

• Glaze can be an eye irritant. Wear goggles/protective glasses. If you get a glaze in your eyes, find a member of staff or first aid kit for saline rinse. A first aid kit is available behind the front desk. 

• Proper attire, including closed-toed shoes, eye protection (reading glasses are not acceptable), dust masks, and rubber/work gloves must be worn when working on certain projects or when working in certain areas of the studio. The studio is not responsible for supplying these items. 

• No smoking of any kind in the studio or within 10 feet of premises. 

• Use of Glaze Materials / Mixing of Stains / Mixing of Glaze: Must be approved/done by studio staff. 

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• Portland Clay House will provide some shared tools and equipment for general use. All provided equipment and community tools are shared and should be looked after, cleaned, and returned after use. Members and students may bring their own tools if they require something the studio doesn’t have. If there is a tool that you think the studio community would benefit from, let Portland Clay House know. We are happy to look into getting a studio set for communal use. 

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• See above section regarding membership tiers and student shelving space. 

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• Reminder that some equipment may not be available during classes and workshops due to space constraints. During classes and workshops the studio is open to members only. We ask students to come only when no other classes or workshops are being held. 

• All outside materials including glazes, etc must be approved by studio staff for proper use and storage. Clay must be purchased at the studio to ensure safe reclaim and firing practices. (We will can provide a list of outside clay and glaze that are compatible with our studio). We bisque fire to cone 04 (zero four) and glaze fire to cone 6. Bisque firing  to 04 allows the clay to be hot enough to off-gas, but cool enough to still get great glaze adherence. Test pieces if you aren't used to these temps.  Using "low fire clay" in our mid-fire kiln can destroy kiln elements, shelves and other people's pieces. Using the "wrong" type of clay in our kilns will leave you liable for damages.   

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• Dry glaze materials are off-limits to members and students. 
   

• There is no use of plaster without prior arrangements unless it is during a supervised class. 
   

• When authorized and working with dry materials a respirator with a P100 filter is required. 
   

• When working with wet glazes and stains, rubber gloves are recommended as some colorants can be absorbed through the skin. Please be sure to clean hands thoroughly before using other parts of the studio.
   

• If any glazes are off-limits to members and students, they will be clearly labeled.

• Never touch, open, or unload any kilns without permission.

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• Firing schedules are subject to change according to the quantity of work that is ready to fire and the overall happenings of the studio. 

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• Portland Clay House strives to move all work through the kilns in a timely manner, but it is not our responsibility to track your individual pieces. Allow conservative expectations if you have a piece that has a deadline or specific date to be done (like a birthday gift or craft show). We won’t fire your materials out of order based on deadlines you have. We do have a small kiln that can be rented for a fee if you have the pieces to fill it. 

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• Cracks and defects in greenware and glazed pieces will not be loaded into the kilns. Defective pots will be returned to your shelf with an accompanying note. 

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• All pieces MUST have a name stamped or written on the bottom. No-name pieces will not be glazed fired. This helps us protect our kilns, and ensures we can communicate with you if an issue arises with your piece. 

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• Do not store work that is visibly wet, or not ready for firing, on the bisque/glaze racks. We cannot be held responsible for damage to this work. 

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• Staff will throw out work not removed from the bisque, glaze, and ready racks monthly. Please watch for emails and signs announcing throw-out dates. 

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• Please be aware that kiln firings can have unpredictable results and, as such, we cannot guarantee the final product. Damage and/or unwanted results during the entire loading, firing, and unloading process are not the responsibility of the studio. 

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• If it is determined that a member’s piece is the cause of any damage to the kilns, shelves, or any other kiln furniture, that member may be charged for the replacement of the items and/or the time it takes to clean them. 

• Students are expected to meet the general requirements of a class or workshop they signed up for. If requirements are not met, the student may be removed from the class. If you are unsure if you meet the requirements, let us know and we may be able  help you… PRIOR to the class starting. 
   

• Membership is charged monthly similar to your Netflix subscription. 
   

• One member per shelf, no shelf sharing. If there is a compelling reason for us to consider an exception, please let us know. 
   

• Notice of non-renewal for monthly memberships requires 21 days' notice. Notice is to be delivered by email or in writing. Monthly membership will otherwise automatically renew on the day of the month you signed up. For example if you first became a member in December 11th, your membership will renew the 11th of each month. 
   

• In the event of membership cancellation, shelves are to be fully cleaned down, and belongings collected on or before the last day of membership. If unable to clear off shelves in time, please contact a staff member who can assist. Shelf cleaning fee and day rates may apply to any days that belongings remain in the studio.

ACCOMMODATIONS 

Portland Clay House is committed fully to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable federal, state, and local laws. Reasonable accommodation is available to any studio student, member and/or resident artist with a disability when the disability affects the ability to participate in a class or to create work in the studio.az

If you are currently disabled or become disabled, please contact Portland Clay House Staff to assist you with evaluating reasonable accommodations that may enable you to participate fully in the studio. Staff may require a physician’s note covering any restrictions to ensure that proposed reasonable accommodations meet your needs.

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS 

Members/students shall, at their sole cost and expense, comply with all of the requirements of all municipal, state and federal authorities hereafter adopted pertaining to the use of said premises, and shall faithfully observe in said use all municipal ordinances and state and federal statutes now in force or which shall hereinafter be in force.

The judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction, or the admission of the member/student in any action or proceeding against the member/student, whether Portland Clay House is a party thereto or not, that the member/student has violated any such order or statute in said use, shall be conclusive of that fact as between the ceramic studio and the member/student. If a member/student fails to comply with the provisions of this paragraph, the member/student shall, at the option of Portland Clay House, be asked to terminate classes, remove their belongings, and vacate the premises.

INSURANCE LIABILITY 

Portland Clay House and Portland Clay House staff shall not be liable at any time for any loss, damage, or injury to the property or person of any whomsoever at any time occasioned by or arising out of any act or omission of the member/student or the occupancy or use of the premises, or directly or indirectly for any state or condition of the premises unless such liability is the result of any act or omission on the part of Portland Clay House.

In the event that Portland Clay House is named as a party to any litigation as a result of the sole act of the member/student or the sole act of any person coming on the premises for the benefit of seeing the member/student, then the member/student shall provide to Portland Clay House at the member/student’s expense a complete defense to the action so filed and Portland Clay House in the event that the member/student does not provide such defense shall be authorized to employ attorneys of Portland Clay Houses choice and the member/student shall be liable to Portland Clay House for the costs of such legal representation. Portland Clay House shall be liable and responsible for its own acts and omissions and to such extent this indemnification. 

No guarantee is offered, explicit or implied, regarding the quality or serviceability of fired work. Every precaution will be taken to ensure the best possible outcome for every firing. Use of the studio indicates you agree that you will not hold the studio, it’s volunteers, or any other person associated with the studio responsible for work that is damaged or defective in any way while in the studio at any stage of the process.
While working with clay is relatively safe, there are hazards and risks. These risks include the possibility of injuries or illness related to the use of the studio, materials, or equipment. Use of the studio indicates you agree that you have been informed of the risks and have signed the Portland Clay House waiver.

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• E-mail: info@portlandclayhouse.com