Studio Policies
General Studio Info
Please understand we do not offer outside firing services and currently do not offer walk-ins.
Memberships are required for Open Studio access.
Interested in trying pottery? Sign up for one of our events to check it out!
There are no refunds for no shows for ANY event or workshop.
Each individual event or workshop will specify the project for that particular event or workshop date. If you have a different project or idea you would like to create, please schedule a private session or sign up for a course. In order to serve everyone, we cannot accommodate multiple project requests during events or workshops that are not the planned project.
REFUNDS / SCHEDULE CHANGES:
Changes or cancellations to your reservation cannot be made within 7 days of event. If you cannot make your scheduled event, please reach out to us at least 7 days before (if your event is on a Saturday, email us the Saturday before) so we can fill your seat. Failure to do so results in loss of payment/no refund.
Location
Rising Tide Pottery: 88 Hatch St. Suite 206.
Enter at the green doors (look for the fish mural facing the parking lot). If you require the elevator, please let us know ahead of time and we can greet you downstairs.
Contact info:
Please use the “Contact us” page on our menu (it helps us keep the SPAM away!)
Unlimited Open Studio members must sign up for studio use outside of their class time before coming into the studio. If you are coming in for glazing only, you do not need to sign up for time.
Open studio hours occur outside of workshop and private event time, and are subject to change week-to-week.
Open studio hours are for current, paid members only.
Children in the Studio:
All children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult, no exceptions. Children under 12 may not use the pottery wheels without adult supervision.
EVERYONE is welcome:
Please alert us to any physical limitations which may affect your ability to use the stairs, get your hands wet, or any other limitations so we may serve you better. We strive to make our space comfortable and accessible to all. Please let us know how we can make your experience the best it can be. Our building has elevator access.
Membership
Memberships/Open Studio:
All members and students MUST book and reserve studio time using this link before each studio visit.
Members must be well versed in the ceramic medium and have previous experience with clay, materials, and glazing; and they should be able to work independently.
All members must have previous experience in ceramics and speak with us prior to sign-up to ensure safety for all.
We do not accept outside clay or glazes into the studio.
All memberships must be approved and each new member must take the orientation course.
Registering for a course or workshop does not automatically qualify you for membership. Membership can be revoked at anytime at the discretion of the owner. Membership is a privilege, not a right.
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Private lessons
Private lessons are two hours, and can accommodate 1-2 people.
You will learn everything from setup to cleanup! A two-hour private wheel lesson or hand-building includes a guided lesson through the techniques required to make a small vessel or dish. Students keep one piece from the lesson to be finished and glaze fired (students choice of color) by our staff within two weeks.
Private lessons are two hours and can focus on the pottery wheel, or hand-building or both depending on your preference/interests.
1 person $175
2 people $275
For more information on private parties please inquire via email.
There are no refunds for no shows.
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Private Parties/Events
Private parties begin at $350 for 2.5 hours of studio time for UP TO 10 people, and include one small hand-built project (jewelry dish, pinch pot pumpkin, small planter).
Larger projects (make-a-mug, medium to large plaques/boards/platters and any underglaze transfers) begin at $550 for 2.5 hours of studio time, for a maximum of 10 people.
Pottery wheel private parties are available for a maximum of 10 people, at $500 for 2.5 hours including setup/cleanup. For pottery wheel classes over 5 people, attendees are paired up at the wheels and will work in pairs.
During private parties, instruction is provided for one chosen project, discussed before the party. Please note we are unable to accommodate multiple project requests during parties. Please confirm your project idea with us before your scheduled date.
Member's Firing Fees
Firing fees are calculated through our KilnFire site. Outside firings are not permitted. Fired work will be billed bi-weekly.
Make-up Classes
Unfortunately at this time we are unable to offer makeup classes. Open Studio time is still available if you need more studio access/time.
Gift Certificates
Available on our website at the link!
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel a week before the start of class you can receive a refund minus a $25 processing fee as long as there is a waitlist and your spot can be filled. If there is no waitlist, it is a 50% charge of the total class price. You will not be able to receive a refund any time after that. We do not pro-rate classes, workshops or membership under any circumstances nor for any reason. Any cancellation after a payment will be subject to a $75 processing fee.
Studio Rules:
All members, students, and all people who use the studio must adhere to the following rules and procedures. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of your class/membership.
All members are held to the following studio rules.
Failure to adhere to any of the below rules may risk health and safety of yourself and others in the studio, and may result in termination of your class or membership.
There are hazardous materials and equipment; rules are to be understood, respected and followed.
Respect all fellow studio members and students. Hate speech, discrimination, targeting, bullying, toxic behavior, or other bad vibes are NOT welcome here.
Use of cell phones for calls/speakerphone is strictly prohibited in out studio and in the hallway; please go outside the building entrance for all calls. Headphones only for personal music listening. Please respect our efforts to maintain a quiet, calm workspace for our students and members, and keep all noise to a minimum.
Clean up after yourself, every time. Your wheel, and other workspace should be wet-mopped and sponged down. Do not leave clay on the floor or tables; it should be placed in scrap or reclaim buckets. This includes studio tools, sink area, extruder or slab roller.
Clay used in the studio must be purchased through us. NO outside clay or glaze will be allowed. This is to protect our kiln from meltdowns/damage as we fire to Cone 5-6.
If something breaks, bring it to our attention immediately. If you break or damage equipment because you have used it without instruction first, you will be held responsible for replacement costs.
Do not use equipment without prior instruction by our staff first.
Kilns are for studio staff ONLY.
Do not go beyond designated STAFF ONLY areas.
No guests, groups, hangouts or loitering. Our studio is for members and students only.
Students must clean up before the end of class and before the end of open studio.
Do not leave your personal items or bags on studio tables or the floor. All bags, coats etc. must be hung up on the wall hooks.
We are not responsible for lost, stolen or missing items.
Do not store projects on wood or Masonite bats for long periods of time, as they will mold.
Do NOT gouge, scrape, or otherwise damage the plaster wedging table boards. Wedging table is for wedging/clay reclaim and prep only.
Dry sanding/scraping or blowing dry clay dust is strictly prohibited. This creates dangerous silica dust that does not come out of the lungs and will cause irreparable damage. Wet sanding is ok.
Wet-mop the floor after you are done at the wheel. Do NOT sweep dry clay on the studio floor – always use a wet mop.
Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited.
Phones must be put away during instruction.
Do not touch, move, or poke at any other person’s work.
Do not touch or borrow their tools or other items without their express permission to do so.
Labeling all of your personal tools, clay bag, etc. is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
RTP is not responsible for lost or missing work, unlabeled work or work that has unsatisfactory firing results. As a member you understand so much of ceramics is experimentation and outcomes are rarely guaranteed, especially for beginners.
Be respectful to your teachers and do not speak over their demos.
Clay:
Members and students are responsible for reclaiming their own clays. Keep an eye on your buckets to ensure your clay will be ready when you need it. Students who do not want to recycle their own clay can discard it, give it away, or give it to the studio.
Greenware left after your class has ended will be discarded. Any unlabeled pieces left after class has ended are subject to being discarded.
Glazes:
You are responsible for the cost of spilled glazes: Be patient and take your time glazing to minimize spills or other accidents.
Keep buckets covered, and only open one at a time to avoid contamination.
Please be careful when moving glaze buckets. If you spill a glaze, you are responsible for the cost of replacing it.
Glaze should be dipped as fast as possible, and no more than two glazes should be used on a single piece unless the student/member has experience or tested the combination.
No glazing the bottom of work unless it is stilted on a firing tray and firing fees have been paid again. Stilting per piece costs $1. Any piece being reglazed (second glaze firing) must be measured and paid for again at full price.
Reglazing is not good for structural integrity of work.
Firings:
Do not touch work on firing or any other shelf that is not yours. Work left at the studio for more than two weeks after the end of the class will be discarded. This includes both bisque and glaze work.
Firing fees are calculated at $0.04 per cubic inch and there is a $1 minimum per piece and a 2” minimum per dimension when calculating.
Work that is measured improperly will not be fired.
KilnFire account is required and work not uploaded/documented in KilnFire will not be fired.
Glazed work that is considered dangerous for the kiln shelves or other peoples work may be rejected from any firing.