Member & Studio Policies
General Studio Policies
These policies applies to Members, Studio Artists, and Students, and anyone else who uses the studio.
Noise and phones: We ask that you not play music on speaker (headphones are fine!) or talk on the phone in the space. If you get a call, please take it outside or in one of the Manufactory Collective common areas.
Keeping a clean space: Cleaning is part of making pottery and other art forms! Please clean your tools, wheel, table space, floor, and any other areas you’ve been using when you’re done.
o As a member or student, you’re an important part of keeping our space well-cared for. If you see something that needs doing, please do it or mention it to a member of FCCAC staff.
o Please help protect everyone’s lungs by keeping your workspace clean and avoiding dust-producing practices (dry sanding, dry clay on hands, etc).
Studio communication: We ask that you read emails from our team members (laurapaige@friendlycityclay.com, ros@friendlycityclay.com) . They often contain important information that may directly impact your schedule.
Keeping your work safe: We ask that you not touch anyone else’s work, no matter how tempting it is (we know, it can be). FCCAC staff and teachers will sometimes need to move your work between areas in the studio. We will take the utmost care of your work, but accidents do sometimes happen, both inside and outside of the kiln. We are not responsible for damaged work.
Policy updates: These policies may be updated or changed at any time. You agree to abide by the current version of these policies, even if they differ from this version as written.
Manufactory Collective Handbook: All students, members, teachers, and other participants at Friendly City Clay & Art Center must abide by the Manufactory Collective Handbook. Please let us know if you would like to see a copy.
The kiln area is off-limits: Unless you are FCCAC staff or have been given explicit permission, the kiln area is off-limits.
In the case of an accident or injury: Please let a FCCAC staff member know immediately.
If you are sick or exposed to someone who is: If you have a fever, have tested positive for Covid, or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for Covid, please do not come into the studio. If you suspect you may have a cold or other minor illness, or have been exposed to someone who has, please wear a mask.
If you see something that needs our attention: Please mention it to a teacher or FCCAC staff member. If one of us isn’t available, please call or text 540-324-9727. In an emergency, dial 911.
If these policies are not followed or you otherwise endanger yourself, someone else, or studio property, we reserve the right to remove you from your class or terminate your membership or rental agreement immediately, without a refund.
Member & Studio Artist Policies
Bringing non-members into the space & Visitor’s Passes: We ask that you not bring others in to work with you for significant periods of time. Quick trips in to check on work, or giving a quick tour to a friend who is interested in the space is fine. Minors must be supervised at all times. We do offer visitor’s passes, which cover up to two people for up to 3 hours for $25. Email laurapaige@friendlycityclay.com with the details (who you’re bringing and when) to request one. It will be billed along with your monthly clay & firings.
Safety & Security:
o The Manufactory Collective exterior doors will be unlocked from 9-5 on weekdays and during class times and host shifts. Please keep the Friendly City Clay doors closed, unless a staff member is present and has propped them open.
o For everyone’s safety, we have security cameras monitoring the space at all times.
o All members and renters will be required to sign the Manufactory’s member handbook and to undergo a background check.
Working around classes: Please be mindful of classes going on in the space. The shared calendar shows whether you can come in during a class or not, and what parts of the studio are likely to be in use. If you come in during one of our classes, we ask that you keep noise to a minimum, and only work in spaces that isn’t actively in use.
Closed hours: We may designate times during the week when we need to close for high-dust studio tasks, or other maintenance. We will email if this is the case.
Using your own clay and glazes: If you would like to use your own clay and glazes, we can discuss that on a case-by-case basis. Please email ros@friendlycityclay.com with the details (photos are great too). We will be firing bisque to cone 04, and glaze kilns to cone 6, and we ask that clay and glazes be kept to that temperature.
Use of shared tools and equipment: Members and studio artists, you are welcome to use any shared tools (with the exception of those in the kiln area) while you’re in the studio. However, please don’t keep shared tools in your space overnight.
The kiln area is off-limits: Unless you are an FCCAC Team Member or have been given explicit permission, the kiln area is off-limits.
Kiln shelves: If you fire a piece and it runs onto a kiln shelf, it’s your responsibility to clean the shelf and re-apply kiln wash (we will show you how to do this). If you are worried about a glaze running, please fire the piece on top of a cookie (we can show you how to do this too).
Firing Schedule: Because we have shared kilns and are balancing firing needs for classes, Members, and Studio Artists, our staff will be managing the firing schedule for our kilns. We can’t guarantee that work will be fired within a particular timeframe.
Cancelling your membership: We require two weeks’ notice to cancel a Membership or Studio rental. Once we receive notice, we will cancel any future payments occurring more than 2 weeks out. We don’t give refunds for unused time. If the cancellation is within the first 3 weeks of Membership or Studio rental, we will cancel payments after those three months have passed.
Member communication: We ask that you read member emails (we will put “MEMBER” in the subject line) when we send them. They contain important information that may directly impact your schedule.