MPA Clay policies

These policies are designed to support a safe, welcoming, and well-functioning shared studio for everyone who learns and works at MPA Clay.

A. Registration and Payment

1. Registration and tuition. Tuition must be paid in full at the time of registration. Places cannot be held without payment.
2. Minimum enrollment. Classes require a minimum of five registered students to run. If minimum enrollment has not been reached one week before the start date, MPA Clay may cancel the class. Registered students will receive a full refund.
3. Waitlists. When a class or workshop reaches capacity, participants may join the waitlist. Available places will be offered in waitlist order.
4. Member benefits. MPA Clay members receive 10% off classes and workshops and priority registration for workshops.

B. Attendance

1. Missed classes. MPA Clay does not offer make-up classes, prorated refunds, or credits for classes missed by a student. Students enrolled in multi-week classes may use available practice time to continue or catch up on their work.
2. Late arrival. Participants should arrive on time. Because introductory sessions require important demonstrations and safety information, participants arriving more than 15 minutes late to an introductory clay session may forfeit their place.
3. Advance booking. MPA Clay does not permit drop-in or walk-in studio use. All classes, workshops, practice time, and other studio access must be registered or booked in advance as applicable.

C. Refunds, Cancellations, and Transfers

1. Classes. Cancellations made 14 or more days before the first class are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations made 7–13 days before the first class are eligible for a full credit toward a future session. Cancellations made fewer than seven days before the first class are not eligible for a refund or credit.
2. Introductory clay sessions. Cancellations made seven or more days before the session are eligible for a full refund. After this deadline, registration may be transferred to another participant but is not refundable.
3. Workshops. Cancellations made at least three weeks before a workshop are eligible for a refund, less a $25 cancellation fee. Cancellations made between three weeks and seven days before the workshop are eligible for a 50% credit. Cancellations made fewer than seven days before the workshop are not eligible for a refund or credit.
4. Membership. The first month of membership serves as a trial period and may be canceled by the 20th of that month. Thereafter, membership operates in three-month terms that renew automatically. Members wishing to end their membership must provide at least 30 days’ notice before the end of the current term. Dues are billed automatically on the first of each month. Annual prepayment receives a 10% discount. A $50 waitlist deposit may be required to reserve an available membership place and will be credited toward the $150 registration and orientation fee.
5. MPA Clay cancellations. If MPA Clay cancels a class, workshop, introductory session, or other paid program, participants will receive a full refund for the canceled offering.

D. Clay, Glaze, and Firing

1. Approved materials and tools. Only clay purchased through MPA Clay and glazes provided or approved by MPA Clay may be used for work fired in the studio kilns. Students are responsible for providing a basic pottery tool kit; student kits are available for purchase from MPA Clay for $30. Shared studio tools and equipment should remain in the studio.
2. Eligible work. Only work made at MPA Clay may be fired in MPA Clay kilns.
3. Firing. Standard bisque and glaze firing is included for enrolled students and members. MPA Clay reserves the right to introduce reasonable firing allowances or limits if necessary to manage kiln capacity and ensure equitable access. Any change will be communicated in advance.
4. Glaze tickets. Each piece submitted for firing must be accompanied by a completed glaze ticket. Work submitted without the required information will not be fired.
5. Size limits. Work may not exceed 14 inches wide by 18 inches tall without prior staff approval.
6. Kiln operation. Kilns are loaded, unloaded, and operated exclusively by authorized MPA Clay staff. Students and members may not operate kilns.
7. Firing risks and damage. Ceramic firing carries inherent risks, including cracking, breakage, glaze variation, and other unexpected results. MPA Clay cannot guarantee the outcome of a firing and is not responsible for work damaged during the firing process. Participants may be charged for damage to kiln shelves or equipment caused by improperly prepared work, including uncleaned glaze on the base of a piece or excessive glaze application.
8. Firing temperatures and refiring. Standard bisque firing is to Cone 04–05 and glaze firing to Cone 6. Refiring requires staff approval and is charged at $5 per piece.

E. Work, Storage, and Pickup

1. Shelf space. Students enrolled in multi-week classes are allocated one-half shelf for the duration of their session. Members are allocated one full shelf.
2. End-of-session work. Students should stop beginning new wet work two weeks before the final class to allow sufficient time for drying, glazing, and firing before the session ends.
3. Finished work. Finished work must be collected within three weeks of the final class. After this period, uncollected work may be recycled, donated, or discarded. Student shelves must be cleared before the beginning of the next session.
4. Identifying work. Every piece must be clearly marked with the maker’s initials or chop. Unidentified work will be held for 30 days and may then be recycled or discarded.
5. Departing members. Members ending their membership must complete the required exit process and remove all work and personal belongings by their final day of membership. Items left beyond that date may be subject to a daily storage fee.

F. Studio Use and Practice Time

1. Student practice time. Students enrolled in qualifying classes may reserve practice time on Mondays and Fridays in three-hour blocks between 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Up to five wheels per block may be reserved by students; hand-building table access is subject to studio capacity. Sundays are reserved for members except when scheduled introductory sessions or other MPA Clay programming is taking place.
2. Scheduled programming. During classes, workshops, and introductory sessions, the wheels, tables, and equipment required for that program are reserved for registered participants. Members may continue to trim, glaze, or work at other available stations where doing so does not interfere with scheduled instruction.
3. Studio capacity. All studio users must observe posted occupancy limits and staff instructions regarding capacity and workspace availability.

G. MPA Clay Membership

1. Eligibility. Membership is intended for experienced ceramic artists capable of working safely and independently. Applicants should generally have at least one year of recent ceramics experience.
2. Application. Applicants submit a portfolio of 5–8 images and a short statement describing their experience and practice. Applications are reviewed by MPA Clay staff and an MPA artist, with decisions generally provided within 30 days.
3. Onboarding. New members pay a $150 registration and orientation fee and complete a studio orientation before receiving independent access. A signed membership agreement, studio policies, and liability waiver are required before access is activated.
4. Studio access. Members receive 24/7 studio access through a personal key card or access code. Access credentials are individual, logged, and may not be shared or loaned. Scheduled classes, workshops, and introductory sessions take priority over the wheels, tables, and equipment assigned to those activities. Lost access cards may be replaced for a fee.
5. Guests. Independent studio access is limited to registered participants and current members. Guests, children, and pets may not accompany members into the studio.
6. Independent practice and production. MPA Clay membership supports sustained independent artistic practice but is not intended for high-volume commercial production. Members may sell work they create through their own practice.
7. Leave of absence. Members may request one pause of up to two months per year with at least 30 days’ notice. During a leave of absence, assigned shelf space may be temporarily reassigned.
8. Suspension or termination. MPA Clay may suspend or terminate studio access for violations of safety or conduct policies, repeated failure to meet cleanup responsibilities, nonpayment of dues, or other serious or repeated violations of studio policies.

H. Safety and Health

1. Footwear. Closed-toe shoes must be worn in the studio at all times. Dedicated studio shoes are encouraged.
2. Silica dust. Dry sweeping, sanding, scraping, or other activities that create airborne clay or silica dust are prohibited. Wet-cleaning methods must be used.
3. Food and drink. Food is not permitted in studio work areas. Drinks must be kept in closed containers.
4. Glaze preparation. Glaze mixing and spraying may only be undertaken by authorized staff in designated areas.
5. Working after hours. Members working alone outside staffed hours must sign in, keep a working phone accessible, and follow posted emergency procedures. Kiln operation and glaze mixing are not permitted after hours.
6. Incidents and equipment. Injuries, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, and equipment malfunctions must be reported to MPA Clay staff promptly.

I. Cleanup and Studio Care

1. Individual workspaces. Before leaving, participants must thoroughly clean their wheel, splash pan, bats, table, tools, and surrounding workspace.
2. Sinks. Clay and glaze must never be disposed of directly down studio sinks. Participants must use the designated settling and disposal systems.
3. Shared resources. Tools and shared equipment must be cleaned and returned to their designated locations after use. Reclaimable clay should be placed in the appropriate reclaim container.

J. Conduct

1. Community standards. MPA’s Code of Conduct applies throughout MPA Clay. Harassment, discrimination, threats, abusive behavior or language, unwanted physical contact, and other conduct that compromises a safe and respectful studio environment are not permitted.
2. Respect for work. Participants must respect the work and workspace of others. Do not handle, move, alter, or otherwise interfere with another person’s work unless given permission or instructed to do so by staff.

K. Age and Accessibility

1. Age requirements. Unless otherwise specified, classes, introductory sessions, and workshops are open to participants ages 16 and older. MPA Clay membership is available to adults ages 18 and older. Programs designed specifically for younger participants may establish separate age requirements.
2. Accessibility. Participants are encouraged to identify accommodation needs during registration. MPA Clay will work with participants to provide reasonable accommodations and support access to its programs and facilities.

L. Liability, Photography, and Privacy

1. Liability waiver. All participants must complete the required liability waiver before using the studio. Registration is not complete and studio access cannot be provided until the waiver has been signed. If a required waiver is not completed within 48 hours of registration, or before the first scheduled session, MPA Clay may release the participant’s place and issue a refund.
2. Photography. MPA may photograph or record studio activities and artwork for communications and promotional purposes. Participants may opt out during registration.

M. Gift Certificates and Private Events

1. Gift certificates. MPA Clay gift certificates are available in any amount and may be applied toward eligible introductory sessions, classes, workshops, and studio supplies. Gift certificates are valid for one year from the date of purchase and cannot be redeemed for cash.
2. Private events. Private clay experiences may accommodate up to 10 participants for wheel-based activities or 12 participants for hand-building activities. Standard private events are three hours in length. A deposit is required to reserve a date, with final attendance confirmed at least seven days before the event.