Where imagination forms.

Limits and FAQs about Associate Memberships

What is an Associate?

The assumption is that Associates use the studio on a casual basis, and can
work without the need of an instructor.  People do switch between associate
status and student status if they feel the need to refresh their skills or
learn new techniques.  Some members are both and receive a class discount.

Associates use common areas and can confine their work to their assigned shelves.
We are liberal about production and surely understand surges, getting ready for
an upcoming show or gallery opening, etc.

The basic associate membership is $265 a quarter and comes with a cubby
to store clay and tools, one or two shelves for work in progress, and use of the
common area including wheels, slab roller, extruder, and community tools.

If an associate finds that they need more space, a High Productivity associate
membership upgrades to a full shelf unit for $350 a quarter.

Are there limits to how often an Associate uses the studio?

Yes.  We do not intend that associates use the studio to excess.
Associates typically use the studio a few times a week, a few hours at a time.
People who come to the studio every day are exceeding the limits of an associate.
It is not to be used as if it were a full-time production pottery job.

We are not running the studio to be robots firing work and mixing glazes for people
who come everyday.  We like to have some time for our own work.

There are four electric studio kilns and we can be overrun by an individual's output.
If an associate comes every day, then they are now a full-time potter (congrats!),
which we can accommodate by upgrading you to a resident and offering you
a kiln space where you can load and fire your own work.

Other associates compensate for lots of production by helping out: some
load and unload kilns, some mix glazes, some help clean up.  This works!
No fair just making lots of work and then leaving... help out!

What about help while here?

Please remember that you should work independently during this time.
Staff, resident artists and associates may be doing their own work and consideration
should be given not to unduly burden them with questions or distraction.
You'll find that most of us love company while we're working and we have a nice
vibe at the studio.  We also typically are quite sharing of tips and techniques.

Are there limits to the size of work to be fired?

We really try to do our best to accommodate your needs.
Challenges are exciting and we can usually figure out a way to deal with them.
There are limits of weight and size however.  The kilns have a fixed dimension
and we have to work within those parameters.  We also have to be able
to load a heavy piece without damaging the kiln or our backs.

Large platters and other flat pieces are much harder to fire in quantity,
they take up shelves and we only have a limited amount of shelves.

For More Information

Contact us at by phone at 703.750.9437 or email Ed at oneibull@msn.com