Membership Information

Atacama Clay Studio Memberships

We offer two membership options to support your ceramic practice—Full-Time (FT) and Part-Time (PT). These memberships are designed for seasoned potters who can work independently and confidently in the studio.

Interested in becoming a member ? TAKE A TOUR ! Email atacamaclaystudio@gmail.com to schedule a tour

Studio Hours:
7:00 AM – 11:00 PM, seven days a week

A one-time orientation is required before your start date. Orientations are typically held on Mondays.

Membership & Billing Policies

• All members must keep a credit card on file.

• Invoices are emailed 3 days before the 1st of each month; payment is due on the 1st.

• If payment is not received within the 4-day window, Atacama will automatically charge your card on the 3rd.

• Memberships function like a monthly subscription (similar to a gym membership).

• Monthly fees are not paused, prorated, or refunded for vacations, travel, missed sessions, or personal emergencies.

• A 30-day cancellation notice is required for all memberships.

• We recommend a minimum 3-month membership for the best learning and creative experience.

Membership Rates & Benefits

Full-Time Membership — $250/month

$225/month with a 3-month commitment
(Commitment period may not be cancelled.)

Includes:

• Studio access 7 days a week, 7 AM–11 PM

• Private shelf for tools, materials, and personal belongings

• Additional members-only shelving for in-progress work

• Access to members-only wheels

• Eligibility for all in-studio events and community markets

• Ability to sell work through the Maker’s Gallery Shop

• Studio key access (requires $50 key deposit)

• Complimentary tea or coffee

• Full use of all studio equipment:

  • Wheels

  • Extruder

  • Professional wedging table

  • Slab roller

  • And more

• Access to:

  • 20+ dipping glazes

  • Underglazes

  • Colored slips

  • Shared bisque & glaze shelves

Part-Time Membership — $185/month

(Only $50 less than the discounted FT membership.)

Includes:

• Studio access Monday–Friday, up to 8 visits per month (2 per week)

• Private shelf + additional members-only shelving

• Access to members-only wheels

• Eligibility for in-studio and community market events

• Ability to sell work in the Maker’s Gallery Shop

• Complimentary tea or coffee

• Full use of studio equipment (wheels, slab roller, wedging table, extruder, etc.)

• Access to dipping glazes, underglazes, slips, and shared firing shelves

Month-to-Month Members

(For single-month or ongoing non-committed membership)

• All bisque and glaze firings must be completed within your active membership month.

• Firing dates may shift due to:

  • Electrical issues

  • Kiln malfunctions

  • Other unforeseen circumstances

• Unfired work left after your membership month (unless due to kiln delays) will incur:
  $0.10 per cubic inch/cm — storage + firing fee

• Glazing after your membership ends:
  $50 for a single 2-hour glazing session

What’s Not Included

Members must provide:

• Apron

• Reclaim buckets

• Washcloth

• Tools (available for purchase in-studio for $20)

Clay available for purchase in studio:

• $12 / 12.5 lbs — Brown Speckle

• $13 / 12.5 lbs — White Buff

• Additional options include porcelain and red clay

No outside clay is permitted.

Firing Fees

• $0.05 per cubic inch/cm (bisque + glaze included)

• Measurement begins at 1 cubic inch/cm

• Unfired work left after the membership month (except kiln delays):
  $0.10 per cubic inch/cm storage/firing fee

• Glazing after membership ends:
  $50 for one 2-hour session

Atacama Clay Studio Guidelines

We’re all in this together. Maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming studio is a shared responsibility. Please follow the guidelines below to help keep our space running smoothly for everyone.

Studio Access

• Studio hours: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM

• Return the key to the lockbox immediately after unlocking the studio door.

• FT members: please do not lock the second interior door.

• When leaving, pull the door closed and lock the top bolt.

• For security, announce your entry on the Members WhatsApp group.

• Sign in at the entrance and note:

  • Wheel number OR

  • Write HB for hand-building

• Do not open the garage doors.
  (They open only during Maker’s Gallery Shop hours or as updated in Spring.)

• Do not open the door to the public. Atacama is by appointment only.
  All inquiries and tours are scheduled via email.

• No guests unless a $50 guest pass has been purchased.

• No children under age 7 are allowed in the studio.

Before You Leave — STOP and Check

Before walking out the door, please confirm:

• Is your entire area clean?

• Are all lights turned off?

• Are all AC units turned off?

A quick check helps keep the studio safe and energy-efficient.

Conserving Water & Clay

We aim to reduce waste and protect our pipes. Please follow these steps:

• Do not let water run unnecessarily.

• Always use the 1–3 bucket system when cleaning:

  1. Fill a bucket with clean water.

  2. Use it with a sponge to clean tools, wheels, and surfaces.

  3. Replace the water as it becomes cloudy.

Important

➡️ Never pour clay water down the drain.
Empty all clay water into the large studio buckets in the sink.

• Allow clay to settle; clean water will rise to the top.

• You may gently pour the clean water off.

• All leftover clay should go into your personal reclaim.

Cleaning Guidelines

1. Work Areas

• Clean all wedging surfaces, tables, tools, and equipment thoroughly.

• Return all tools and boards to their proper home.
  (Nothing should be left by the sink to dry.)

• When cleaning a wheel, wipe:

  • Splash pan

  • Wheel head

  • Inside and outside of the wheel

  • Legs

  • Foot pedal

2. Floors

Mop all areas you used, including:

• Around wheels

• Hand-building tables

• Glazing area

• Trimming and drying areas

Glazing Area

This area needs extra care to prevent contamination:

• Wipe tools, bucket lids, counters, and surfaces after each use.

• Make sure sponges used for cleaning are glaze-free.

• Mop the floor around glaze buckets when done.

• Consider placing newspaper under your workspace to catch drips.

Reclaim Guidelines

Monitoring your work is essential to avoid waste.

• The studio cannot reclaim large volumes of bone-dry or unwanted work.

• Please take home any pieces you do not want.

• Small trimmings and small amounts of workable clay may go into the large studio reclaim bucket.

• Bone-dry stoneware may be broken into small pieces and placed into the studio reclaim only in small amounts.

By working together and following these guidelines, we help keep Atacama Clay Studio a clean, safe, and inspiring space for everyone.

If you have any questions about cleaning or studio procedures, please contact the studio manager.
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 Fees

Bisque Firing

• Free for all studio members.

• No firing slips required for bisque.

Glaze Firing Fee

Your glaze firing fee is based on the volume of your piece:

Formula:
Height × Length × Width × 0.05 = Firing Fee

• Use the largest dimensions if your piece is irregular.

• Measurements begin at 1 inch and round up to the nearest ½ inch.

• Members are responsible for:

  • Measuring each piece

  • Calculating the fee

  • Completing a Firing Fee Slip

• Studio staff will occasionally review measurements and provide guidance if needed.

Identification

• All work must have a visible signature stamp or initials.
  Please use the same ID consistently.

• Items without identification will not be fired.

• Place the completed Firing Fee Slip on top of your glazed piece.
  Items without a slip will not be fired.

Height Limit

• Maximum height: 9 inches

• Taller work may require a longer waiting period until enough similar-height pieces are available for loading.

Billing Process

• Firing fees will be added to your next monthly membership invoice.

• Membership dues are due within the last 3 days of the month, or at minimum by the 1st.

For Members Ending Their Membership

(Applies to single-month or ongoing, non-committed memberships)

• All bisque and glaze firings must be completed within your active membership month.

• Firing dates may shift due to:

  • Electrical issues

  • Kiln malfunctions

  • Other unexpected delays

Work left after your membership month

If delays are not kiln-related:

• $0.10 per cubic inch/cm storage + firing fee applies.

Glazing after membership ends

• $50 for a single 2-hour glazing session.

Firing Schedule

• Both bisque and glaze firings run 1–2 times per month depending on volume.

• Firing dates are posted on the studio chalkboard.

• A reminder may be shared via the Members WhatsApp group.

Tip: Add firing dates to your personal calendar to stay organized.

Preparing Your Work for Firing

1. Clean the Bottoms

• All glaze must be completely removed from the bottom and lower edges.

• Pieces with glaze on the bottom will not be fired.

• The studio does not send reminders about unfinished bottoms.

2. Ensure Work Is Fully Bone Dry

• Work takes approximately 5–7 days from trimming to become bone dry.

• Pieces that are not fully dry cannot be fired.

• You may place pieces on the bisque shelf as soon as they appear ready, but they will not be fired until fully dry.

3. Protect Kiln Shelves

• If a piece sticks to a kiln shelf:

  • $25 fee for shelf cleanup (with photo documentation)

  • Severe damage: $65 replacement fee

4. Stilt Usage

• Stilts may be used only once per month, and only with manager approval.

5. Studio Work Only

• Only pieces made in the studio may be fired.

Glazing Guidelines

Stroke & Coat

• Do NOT use Stroke & Coat on greenware.

• It will run during bisque firing and damage shelves.

Underglaze Use

• Studio underglazes are provided for detail work or small to medium projects.

• For large pieces or frequent use, you may be asked to purchase your own pint.

By following these procedures, we help keep our firing process efficient, safe, and fair for the entire studio community.
If you have any questions, please reach out—we’re here to help.

Thank you for being a valued part of the Atacama Clay Studio community!

Atacama Clay Studio — Membership Application Form

Thank you for your interest in joining Atacama Clay Studio!
Please complete this form in full. If you have an orientation scheduled, please print and bring the completed form with you.

Applicant Information

Full Name: __________________________________________________
Preferred Name (if different): ____________________________________
Email Address: _______________________________________________
Mobile Phone Number: _________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________

Membership Selection

Please select one:

☐ Full-Time Membership — $250/month (month-to-month)

☐ Full-Time Membership — $225/month (3-month commitment)
• 10% discount
• No cancellations during the commitment
• Automatically renews in additional 3-month increments unless canceled with 30 days’ notice

☐ Part-Time Membership — $185/month

Studio Orientation

All new members must attend a one-time orientation before beginning.

☐ I agree to attend orientation prior to using the studio.

Policies & Agreements

Please initial next to each item:

_____ I understand that membership payments require a card on file, and that invoices are emailed 3 days before the billing month. Payment is due on the 1st, and the card on file will be charged on the 3rd if payment has not been made.

_____ I understand that a 30-day written notice is required for cancellations. (No cancellations permitted during a discounted 3-month commitment.)

_____ I have read and agree to all Atacama Clay Studio documents, including: Membership Information, Studio Guidelines, Community Agreement, and Kiln Firing Procedure & Schedule.

Credit Card Authorization & Consent

I authorize Atacama Clay Studio (via QuickBooks) to charge my card on file for:
• Monthly membership fees
• Firing fees
• Any outstanding balances

This authorization remains in effect until I provide written notice of cancellation.
I understand it is my responsibility to maintain a valid card on file, and that declined or expired cards may result in suspension of studio access.

Cardholder Name: ____________________________________________
Last Four Digits of Card: ________
Signature: __________________________________________________
Date: __________________________

Note: Your credit card information will be collected securely by phone and entered directly into QuickBooks. No paper forms will be kept.

Liability Waiver

I release Atacama Clay Studio, its owners, staff, and affiliates from any responsibility for injury, loss, or damage while participating in any studio activity. I agree to follow all safety rules and assume all risks associated with the use of ceramic studio equipment and facilities.

Signature: __________________________________ Date: _____________

Office Use Only

Orientation Date: __________________________________________
Membership Start Date: ______________________________________
Key / Access Code Issued: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Shelf Assigned: _____________________________________________