Membership Policies & Terms

← Membership

Common to all Open Studio memberships (Regular and 24/7 Access). By becoming an Open Studio member, you agree to all policies, terms and conditions below.

Terms and Conditions of Membership at Chromatic Earth Pottery

I agree that:

• I have taken at least three full sessions of instructional ceramics classes at full-service studios
• I am currently fully able to create and clean independently without assistance from others
• I will not remove from the studio any tools, equipment, clay or anything else that isn’t mine
• I will not bring outside clay (or artwork) to the studio
• I will only place pieces for firing on the shelves allotted to me
• I will not provide access to the studio (including my door code) to any non-members
• I will adhere to studio rules as indicated by staff members and studio policies

My membership may be terminated without refund if any of the above are not adhered to or if any of the provided information is erroneous.

Chromatic Earth Pottery acknowledges the above stipulations may need revisiting and are very open to discussing any of them further.

We also commit to providing notice to our members when the studio will be unavailable (for private events, some Couples Nights, repairs, unforeseen circumstances, etc.). Members able to work quietly without changing the energy of the studio may be invited to utilize the studio during many Couples Nights and Private Events.

Members receive: access to our beautiful and energetic studio with its magnificent stations and equipment, discounts on classes and workshops and participation in studio sales. 24/7 Access members also receive an individual cubby, crates for clay storage and monthly (at least) firings. See each membership page for pricing, clay and firing details.

CEP Policies – Open Studio Community Membership

Chromatic Earth Pottery (CEP) asks its Community Members to:

• sign up (using “SignUp”) each time they plan on arriving at the studio;
• wet-clean all messes made (including the walls/floor) without creating dust and turn off plugged-in items when finished with them;
• be intentional about limiting any studio actions that create dust;
• NOT sand pieces inside the studio space (outside is possible but water and masks are recommended);
• avoid smoking or creating smoke in the studio (our heat/fire sensors are sensitive);
• practice cell phone courtesy when in the studio;
• refrain from entering the office/kiln room without specific, time-sensitive invitation;
• utilize the pre-wash station (when available) and limit time spent at the sink;
• use the slab-roller only once you have been fully trained on it to a staff member’s satisfaction;
• not unplug lights/wheels in the throwing area (if you need to plug in a heat gun, etc., please set yourself up close to one of the extension cords made available for such purposes);
• avoid using the “Couples Night” lights;
• break down discarded greenware to no larger than, approximately, 1" in diameter of clay;
• not contaminate the recycling buckets in any way;
• occupy the 4 wheels reserved for members first and only utilize the “class” wheels outside of scheduled class hours;
• work without interrupting registered classes or workshops, affecting them only with your positive energy (energetically respectful members may – at times – be permitted to utilize the studio even during some Couples Nights);
• use “cookies” for glaze firings (the current price for glaze damage to shelves is $65 – other causes of damage incur different costs). Outside glaze must be pre-approved before use;
• store your personal items only in your allotted shelf(shelves)/cubby – not in communal places (items stored improperly, unlabeled, or taking up additional space in any studio areas are subject to removal at the studio’s discretion);
• treat others in the studio with kindness and respect and protect the positive environment of the studio. Discrimination (of any sort), harassment, bullying or disrespectful behaviour will result in expulsion from the premises (temporary/permanent, depending on severity) without reimbursement.

Statement: Members ideally feel at home at Chromatic Earth Pottery and adhere to studio policies naturally, rather than dogmatically, in recognition that our policies have been developed to protect the safety, integrity and atmosphere of our studio. Members are encouraged to help us revisit our policies to better serve the functionality and collective feel of our studio. We are intentional about keeping our studio free from signage: rather, it is our hope that participants will be as present with their cleaning activities as they are with their creating activities.

Risk of injury: as experienced potters know, the ceramics process involves the use of wheels, sharp tools and other items that may cause injury if improperly used. CEP is not responsible for any injuries, damages or harm caused during or as a result of your ceramics practice.

Safety: With Member safety in mind, the owners of CEP: set up high-resolution cameras; require members to re-lock the keypad door upon entry when staff are not present; require members to book their arrivals (so we know who is at our studio and when); make themselves available by phone (647 667 2259); limit airborne silica dust hazards by forbidding the sanding of pieces inside the studio and making “shop-vacs” available to members (in lieu of sweeping).

Filming: Members, along with their art, may sometimes be part of group pictures or videos and, when agreed upon, be recorded individually. CEP will only use these images in its website or for promotional campaigns. CEP does not allow the filming of instructional classes and will always view individual member artistic processes and styles as proprietary.

Pausing membership: CEP does not offer the option to pause memberships. If members want to take a break from studio membership, they can give one month’s cancellation notice (see “Cancellation of membership” below) and add their names to the membership waitlist.

Cancellation of membership: members must give one month’s notice (by email) to cancel. Memberships cannot be cancelled midway through a billing cycle. Members are asked to complete and take home all projects, clay and cubby contents before their membership ends. Any clay or unfinished pieces remaining after a membership expires will be recycled or donated. Regular Members (24/7 member firings take place only during their membership) must pick up their fired pieces within one week after the final firing of their pieces.

Communal/private tools/space: 1) Wheels, hand-building, wedging and glazing tables (with accompanying equipment) are all available for Open Studio participants. However, members are required to bring their own throwing/sculpting tools and cloths (bathroom/kitchen paper towels are not for clay). Kitchen dishes, equipment, etc. may not be used as tools for ceramics. 2) Our studio has a fridge and microwave. Please bring your own dishes/cutlery and refreshment requirements and please leave our kitchen area at least as clean as how you found it. Formal tea-time is reserved for registered class/workshop participants. 3) Priority for sink, space and equipment goes first to our registered class students. The kilns and the kiln room are available only to employees – we fire everything for you! 4) Our studio/building recycles. Please keep your garbage and recyclables separate. And, of course, empty your beverages in the sink before recycling/binning your containers.

Disregard of staff instructions or failure to adhere to studio policies may result in the termination of membership.

All ceramics participants at CEP will be asked to sign a Liability Waiver.