Membership Information

We offer three membership types to suit your needs. The membership fee is due no later than three full days before the first of the month or by the first day of each month. Payment is accepted via Venmo (or currently working on invoicing in other means).

This is a monthly subscription, like a gym membership. A 30-day notice is required for cancellations, and we recommend a minimum membership duration of three (3) months.

*** If you stay for one month, you are asked to take responsibility for timing your work in order to fire both bisque or glaze within the month of your stay. Any unfired work pass your month will be charged a fee of 10C per cubic Inch/cm.

Our memberships are designed for intermediate to advanced potters who can work independently and navigating the studio on their own. *** Bring your apron, reclaim bucket(s) and recommending a washcloth.

In Studio Full Time Membership ($250 /month) Includes:

• This membership provides 24/7 access to the studio.

• Access to equipment; wheels, extruder, tools, glazes, underglaze, and slips.

• A private shelf to house your clay or other personal tools and other. In addition to a shared bisque and glaze

  shelving.

• Firing fees of $0.05 per cubic inch/cm will apply to each piece fired and covers both bisque and glaze firing.

• Clay not included but can be purchased from the studio for $13 for 12.5lbs. for brown speckle and $13.50 for

  white buff.

• The membership is for intermediate and advanced potters.

• A 30-day notice is required to cancel the membership.

In Studio Part Time ($170/ month) Includes:

• This membership provides weekday access only. This membership provides weekly access. NOT weekends, visits only x2 per week for a total of 8 visits per month.

• Access to equipment; wheels, extruder, tools, glazes, underglaze, and slips.

• A private shelf to house your clay or other personal tools and other. In addition to a shared bisque and glaze shelving.

• Firing fees of $0.05 per cubic inch/cm will apply to each piece fired and covers both bisque and glaze firing.

• Clay not included but can be purchased from the studio for $13 for 12.5lbs. for brown speckle and $13.50 for white buff.

• The membership is for intermediate and advanced potters.

• A 30-day notice is required to cancel the membership.

In Home ($150/ month)Includes:

• The In-Home Membership is designed for potters who prefer to create from the comfort of their own space.

• Members receive 12.5 Ibs. of studio clay each month.

• Option to schedule glazing time at the studio.

• Firing fees of $0.05 per cubic inch/cm will apply to each piece fired and covers both bisque and glaze firing.

• Please note that only projects made with our studio clay can be fired at our facility.

• This membership does not include a personal shelf.

• A 30-day notice is required to cancel the membership.

*** Not Included: Apron, reclaim bucket (s), wax, wash cloth, or brush on clear glaze (clear dipping glaze is included).

If you’d like to take a tour of the studio, please do not hesitate to reach us at atacamaclaystudio@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.

We’re all in this together! Maintaining a clean and safe space is everyone’s responsibility. Please follow these guidelines to help keep our studio in great shape for everyone.

Studio Access

• Always return the key to the lock box after unlocking the studio door.

• No guests are allowed in the studio without prior notice in the WhatsApp group, approval from the studio manager and/or owner, and the payment of a $59.50 guest fee per person (30% discount from a One Time Adult Wheel class). Guest fee includes studio reclaim clay and studio dipping glazes. The member trims and glazes and be sure to use the measuring slip including your name and name of your guest (s).

• When closing, pull the door shut behind you and double-check to ensure its fully closed and secure.

Before You Leave

Take a moment before you go:

• STOP and check:

  • Is everything clean?

  • Are all lights turned off?

Conserving Water and Clay

We’re committed to sustainability, and conserving resources is a key priority:

• Avoid letting water run unnecessarily.

• Use a 1-3 bucket system for cleaning:

  • Pour clean water into a bucket.

  • Use a sponge to clean tools, equipment, and surfaces.

  • Replace the water as needed to ensure no clay residue remains, pouring clay water into the large buckets in the sink, never down the drain.

• To maintain our pipes and conserve resources it’s important to be mindful that no clay is going down the drain.

  • The large buckets in the sink are there to collect any clay water.

  • Over time, the clay will settle to the bottom of the buckets and clean water will be left on top.

  • Feel free to gently pour out that clean water if you notice it has settled. Do so carefully to avoid pouring out any clay!

• When cleaning, any excess clay should go into your personal reclaim.

Cleaning Guidelines

Please ensure that all areas you’ve used are left spotless:

1. Work Areas:

• Clean wedging boards, tables, tools, and wheels.

• For wheels, wipe the splash pan, the wheel head, the inside and outside of the wheel, and the legs.

2. Floor Cleaning:

• Mop all areas you’ve worked in, including:

  • Front table area

  • Wheel area

  • Glazing room

  • Your shelf area (if there are soft or dry clay spills).

Glazing Room Care

The glazing room requires extra attention to avoid contamination:

• Wipe everything immediately after use, including:

  • Tools, bucket lids, and the outsides of buckets.

  • Counters and any other surfaces.

• Ensure sponges are free of glaze before cleaning.

• Mop the floors around all glaze buckets used.

• For added cleanliness, consider using newspaper to protect tables while glazing.

By working together and following these steps, we can keep Atacama Clay Studio a welcoming and inspiring space

for all. Please reach out to the studio manager if you have any questions around cleaning protocols. Thank you for your care and attention!

1. We Treat One Another with Respect

At Atacama Clay Studio, we believe all people have inherent value, regardless of their status or circumstances. We ask everyone in our community to extend the same patience, courtesy, kindness, and politeness that you would wish to receive.

2. We Foster Open Communication

If you have concerns, we encourage you to first bring them to the studio manager. If further discussion is needed, the studio owner is available to help. We are committed to maintaining transparency in all communications.

3. We Respect Creative Expression

We honor and celebrate the unique creative expressions of every individual. At Atacama, we avoid placing hierarchies on artistic work and instead support one another’s endeavors. If inspired by another’s work, we approach them respectfully and communicate our intent to work with that inspiration.

4. We Are Committed to Inclusion

We strive to create an environment that is anti-racist, anti-classist, and affirming of all identities, including queer identities. Discrimination or harassment of any kind—such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or classism—will not be tolerated.

5. We Care for Our Space

We recognize the importance of working in a well-maintained and inspiring environment. As a community, we take responsibility for treating the studio space, materials, and tools with care and respect. This includes maintaining our individual workspaces and contributing to the upkeep of shared areas.

6. We Prioritize Sustainability

At Atacama, we take pride in being resourceful and environmentally conscious. We aim to minimize waste and utilize natural resources—such as water and clay—responsibly. Together, we prioritize recycling, upcycling, and effective use of materials to reduce our environmental impact.

Agreement to Uphold Community Standards

By being a member of Atacama Clay Studio, you agree to these community agreements.

Thank you for helping us maintain a vibrant, inclusive, and respectful community at Atacama Clay Studio!

Firing Fee

Each piece glaze fired in the kiln will incur a fee based on the following formula: Firing Fee = Height (in inches) × Width (in inches) × Circumference (in inches) × 0.05

• Members are responsible for calculating the fee and completing a Firing Fee Slip for each item. (Slips are available on the studio table.)

• Please ensure your signature stamp or initials are visible, and use the same ID across all your work. Items without a name/stamp will not be fired.

• Please place the completed slip-on top of your piece. Items without slips will not be fired.

• Firing fees apply to the glaze firing of each month, you do not need to fill out slips for bisque firings.

• Height maximum is 9 inches and a LONG WAIT may apply until other height-like work is included.

• For a detailed look at how to fill out firing fee slips refer to this video.

Billing Process

• Request for payment will be sent during the last week of each month.

• Payments should be sent together with your membership monthly dues (if cancelling your next month, we require a full 30-day notice ).

Firing Schedule

• Both Bisque and Glaze firings will run once or twice per month, depending on volume.

• Firing dates will be posted on the studio chalkboard.

• A reminder may be sent via WhatsApp.

Tip: To stay organized, we recommend adding firing dates to your calendar.

Preparing Your Work

To ensure your pieces are fired without issues:

1. Wipe all glaze completely off the bottom and lower edges of your piece, exposing the clay:

• Pieces with glaze on the bottom will not be included in the kiln.

• The studio will not send reminders for unfinished work.

2. Sign your work visibly:

• Please ensure your signature stamp or initials are visible, and use the same ID across all your work. Items without a name/stamp will not be fired.

• Unsigned pieces will not be fired unless approved by the studio manager.

3. Allow time for work to fully dry before bisque firing:

• Time your work for firing readiness. Most work takes 5-7 days from trimming to be fully bone dry. If the work is not bone dry, it will not be fired.

• Feel free to place your pieces on the shelf as soon as they are ready to fire, however keep in mind that work cannot be bisque fired until it is fully bone dry.

4. Avoid damage to kiln shelves:

• Pieces stuck to shelves will incur a $20 charge, with a photo sent to document the damage.

• Severe damage to a shelf will result in a $65 charge.

5. Limit your stilts:

• Stilts are allowed only once per month with prior approval from the studio manager.

6. Studio-only work:

• Only pieces created in the studio will be fired (except for in-home member work).

Glazing Guidelines

No Stroke & Coat on greenware:

• Stroke & Coat is for Glaze-fired work only.

• If Stroke & Coat is used on greenware it will run in the bisque firing and result in damaged kiln shelves.

Underglaze use:

• Underglazes are provided for details or small pieces.

• For large or repeated use, you may be asked to provide your own pint of underglaze.

By following these guidelines, we can keep our studio running smoothly and create a great experience for everyone. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

Thank you for being part of our creative community!