Pottery Information and Guidelines
This information is provided to remind returning students and to acquaint new students with Fountain Square Clay Center’s (FSCC) guidelines. We encourage each student to become familiar with this information to ensure that things run safely and smoothly in the studios, so we can provide you with the best experience possible.
FSCC’s primary focus is education in the ceramic arts. Adult classes provide instruction on making pottery, sculpture and exploring surface treatments and other special topics while learning the craft. To complement these programs, the Pottery hosts workshops and events throughout the year. FSCC also supports the arts community and individual artists through its public events, sales, exhibitions and Studio Potter memberships.
POTTERY NOTES - Information about the studio and its activities will be posted on FSCC bulletin boards and the website, including upcoming deadlines, changes and information about upcoming events and opportunities.
BASICS
• You may only attend the class for which you are registered.
• Do not handle or touch the work of others. If you damage another's work, leave a note.
• No student is permitted to remain in the building after closing.
• Talking on cell phones is not permitted in the classrooms except for emergencies.
• FSCC is not responsible for the loss or damage of work or personal property.
CLAY & GLAZE
• FSCC clays and glazes are free for registered students to use only on site.
• Registered FSCC students may purchase 25 lb. bags of clay for use inside the studio classes.
• All outside clay or glaze must have prior approval from the Director Chris DePrez.
• To recycle clay, please use the appropriate buckets. When putting clay into the bucket mash it down through the wire mesh.
• Break up clay to reclaim before it dries out.
• Glazes are microwave, dishwasher, and food-safe unless otherwise noted.
• Unglazed washes & slips may not be food safe.
• Do not thin glazes. Ask Studio Technician if you have questions about glaze consistency.
FIRINGS & PROCEDURES
• Class Greenware must be stored on your assigned class shelves prior to firings.
• Ready-to- Bisque work should be placed on the Greenware shelves in the kiln room prior to firing. When work is ready to Glaze, place on the proper firing shelf. Ask your Teacher or Monitors for help in identifying these shelves.
• Technical Staff will transport All work from the shelves into the kilns.
• Only authorized Studio Technicians and the Owner, Chris DePrez, are allowed to open, load and unload all kilns. Classes that teach students how to load and unload kilns can partake in this process within the confines of the class, during the class time and Only when the instructor is present.
• Allow at least a 2-week turnaround for each firing, due to shelf space and kiln space.
• Keep work moving off of greenware or bisque shelves: bisque your dry work; glaze your bisque work; take home glazed work.
• ALWAYS bisque fire prior to glaze firing.
• Do not glaze or use washes on the bottom of work.
• Unclaimed work on the finished glaze shelves, the unclaimed bisque shelves, or problem shelves are subject to discard after 4 weeks.
CLEAN-UP
• Class, Open Studio participants & Studio Potters – Everyone is responsible for leaving studios clean. Let’s share the love and leave the studio cleaner than you found it.
• Clean up spills as they happen.
• Minimize dust: always clean with a WET sponge; Never scrape or brush dried clay.
• Once you have cleaned your workspace, do an additional wipe down with a clean damp sponge. And always rinse out sponges when done using them.
• Tables, bats, ware boards & banding wheels should be cleaned and put away.
• Mop around your Wheel and all Handbuilding table areas.
• Wheels should be cleaned, shut off and splash pans washed and returned to wheel.
• Sponge clean the top of glaze buckets & push buckets back under the shelves. Mop.
• Faculty and studio staff may delegate clean-up responsibilities to ensure complete clean-up of the studios - put your work away, return community items, clean up, mop and leave the building by the end of your class or open studio session.
• Work left on the tables or counters will be discarded.
• All personal items, clothing and shoes, must be taken home during inter-term breaks.
OPEN STUDIO SESSIONS
• Open Studio Sessions are ONLY available to currently enrolled students. No children, friends, or pets allowed.
• Observe studio hours. Do not show up early or leave late. Clean up before leaving.
• Be courteous. Keep conversations quiet.
STUDIO SAFETY
• In case of emergency, exit out the front of the building.
• First Aid kits are available. Ask your Monitor or Faculty for assistance.
• No sanding or scraping dry clay or glaze in the studio. Always go Outside to sand.
• Never place anything on kiln lids.
• Do not use the slab rollers or extruders without an orientation from Technical Staff or Faculty.
• Students should not use clay mixers, grinders or dremels in the studio. Ask your Studio Technician or Faculty for assistance.
• For your safety and the safety of those around you we require faculty, staff and students to wear shoes while in the studio.
• FSCC is Smoke Free.
MAKE-UPS & CLOSINGS
• Emergency closures are announced via email.
• FSCC is not responsible for providing makeup classes or issuing refunds for programs or classes changed or missed due to illness, emergency, weather closings, substitute teachers, or other events beyond our control. There are no prorates given.
• FSCC refund policy can be found on the website.
DISMISSAL Students are expected to abide by studio rules and to comport themselves in a courteous and polite manner at all times. Fountain Square Clay Center reserves the right to exclude from its programs and activities anyone who fails to do so.