Ceramics Studio Policies

Please read all of our studio policies. Current members and students agree to the following policies. We reserve the right to revoke all memberships and/or student studio privileges for prohibited behavior.

  • Dry clay is hazardous!

    Clay dust in the air cannot be seen and is easily re-suspended. For these reasons, the following actions are strictly prohibited. Chases Garage reserves the right to revoke studio privileges, memberships, and class registration for prohibited behavior. 

    ABSOLUTELY NO SANDING IS ALLOWED

    -Sanding of greenware (bone dry clay) and bisqueware is prohibited. Sanding generates dust. 

    -Check greenware for rough spots and address with a wet sponge before bisquing. 

    *Please note that wet sanding of finished glazeware is allowed, as long as the wares and wet sanding pad are immersed in water*

    BONEDRY CLAY WARES CANNOT BE TRIMMED ON THE POTTERS WHEEL

    -Only trim, carve or rasp work when it is leatherhard. Leathrhard clay has enough water content to eliminate clay dust from suspending in the air. 

    -Do not trim, carve or rasp work that is close to or is bone dry as it generates and suspends clay dust. 

    NO SWEEPING

    -Sweeping is strictly prohibited. All cleaning protocols involve wet cleaning/mopping to eliminate kicking up dust in the studio.

    -Table surfaces should always be cleaned with a wet sponge. Clay debris should be sponged into a bucket of water and discarded in the appropriate slop bucket. 

    -Trimming scraps and other clay debris on the floor should be picked up using a metal scraper and discarded into the trash can. 

    -Mop around your work area before leaving (this includes around your work table AND your pottery wheel). Mopping eliminates dry clay scraps being stepped on, which lessens the amount of clay being tracked around the building and limits the amount of dust being generated. 

    There will always be some dust in a properly kept studio, even if there are peaks during certain activities, exposure to dusts may not lead to any important short-term or long-term health effects if one takes appropriate precautions. We can minimize health effects by first reducing how much dust is produced and then ensuring that proper cleaning protocols are followed.

  • Click Here to view our policy

  • Chases Garage is unable to offer refunds for clay.

    Testing of new clay batches should be an integral part of your process as a ceramicist. Upon receipt of any new clay order, Chases Garage strongly recommends that YOU test your clay by cycling a handful of pieces fully through a glaze firing so you can see the results before making a large quantity of pieces.

    Chases Garage has no control over any defects or variations that may occur. Our clay is sold with the understanding that the user is solely responsible for determining suitability for any purpose and the results obtained. When purchasing clay, there are no warranties expressed or implied, regarding your finished product OR results. Therefore Chases Garage cannot be responsible for any variations, contaminants, defects, etc. that are beyond our control.  

  • Only current members have access to open studio time / the ability to make work at home.

    There are 3 types of ceramics membership:

    • Student Members: Students must become “Student Members” in order to gain access to open studio time/the ability to make work at home.

    • Studio Members: have access to our ceramics studio to make work during open studio time

    • Firing Members: have access to our ceramics studio FOR GLAZING ONLY

  • All work is subject to the $0.025 per cubic inch charge

    Renters, members, and students must measure and record all bisqueware on their firing fee sheets before glazing. Firing fee invoices will be sent via Square at the end of each quarter/session.

    Firing fees pay for the following:

    • glaze materials

    • the time it takes staff to make/test glazes

    • loading/firing/unloading glaze kilns

    • utilities/propane to fire the glaze kiln

    • gas kiln maintenance/repairs

    • gas kiln shelf + furniture maintenance/replacement

    • mixing and testing recycled “mystery” glazes

  • Glaze drips suck for everyone. We are aware that glaze drips are not on purpose, however they are a growing concern for the longevity of our’ kiln shelves and Bailey gas kilns. We appreciate your cooperation in preventing them.

    Any work with glaze drips are subject to a $10 fee*

    *There will be no glaze drip warnings/notices for glazed work that has fused to the kiln shelf, and all glaze drips may be subject to a $10 fee at the studios discretion, which covers kiln wash, grinding and time.

  • Our maximum LxWxH dimensions are 14”x14”x14”

    We will not fire work that is larger than 14”x14”x14”

  • Chases reserves the right to decline firing tall and excessively heavy work.

    Tall work must be loaded into the top of the kiln. When tall work is also heavy, it puts increased pressure on the shelf and stack. Therefore;

    For Members: 14” height maximum. As determined by the studio, any projects that exceed 14” and are excessive in weight will not be bisque fired and therefore, will not be fired to cone 10.

  • Membership and class registration allows YOU AND ONLY YOU access to our studio.

    We do not allow outside visitors, guests, friends, children, or family members to come in and make work in our studio.

  • Please leave all pets at home! Due to safety regulations, we cannot allow pets (including dogs) in the studio, unless they are legal service animals.

    Although we do our best to keep our studio as clean as possible, ceramics studios are not pet friendly! It is dangerous for pets to be present in the studio because they are so low to the ground and they breath in dust and little bits of clay- even though we mop regularly. Clay dust and glaze materials are harmful to pets.

  • Enrolled students receive a personal shelf (cubby) for the duration of their enrollment. Students must remove all clay, in progress work, tools, and personal belongings on the last day of class if they are not continuing to take class during the following session. Anything left on personal shelves will be boxed up and labeled by our studio manger, and will be put outside in the kiln shed for one month. Due to space limitations, boxes that are left in our kiln shed for more than one month are deemed abandoned and the contents will either be thrown out or donated.

  • Members + students must sign all greenware! This is a vital part that keeps our studio organized and running smoothly.

    Due to space limitations, we do not provide communal storage for bisqueware. All bisqueware must be able to be stored on your personal shelf after we unload the bisque kiln. The best way to utilize all of your shelf space is to bisque and glaze work in a timely manner- keep things moving along and process them through all of the kilns.

    Unsigned work takes up space that we do not have, in both the studio and the kiln shed. Unsigned work that has been sitting around for 2 months (one entire session) will be deemed abandoned, and will either be thrown out, donated, or used for glaze demonstrations.

    We want you to enjoy everything you make so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sign all of your work (with the same signature that is on your name tag)

  • Please do not touch or pick up other peoples work or personal items.

    This includes:

    -greenware (on the greenware shelf)

    -bisqueware

    -finished glazeware

    -anything on someones personal shelf such as personal items, tools, etc.

    We understand you may need to carefully move someones piece when retrieving your glazed work- however please do not pick up other people’s finished work to feel it, look at the glaze, etc. If you have a question, leave a note on it w/ your name and that person will most likely respond by leaving you a note on your shelf.

  • Adults (18 or older) may register for classes & workshops at Chases Garage. Chases reserves the right to cancel courses, substitute instructors, change course times, and limit enrollment. The student agrees to abide by any and all rules and policies of the studios. Chases will assume no responsibility for any loss, personal or physical. With enrollment, a student consents to being photographed in classes (unless we informed in writing). These photographs may be used by Chases in future promotional efforts without specific written permission from the student.

    Members and registered students agree to the following that participation in our ceramics programs may involve some risk of personal injury and damage to the studio property: therefore, they assume all risks related to these activities and release Chases Garage, its directors and employees from all resulting liability from personal injury and property damage.

Membership Guide

We put together a comprehensive guide to help assist our members. This information will help familiarize you with our studio operations + procedures.

  • Current members can access our password protected ceramics homepage.

    Our Ceramics Member Homepage has everything you need conveniently located in one place, including: ceramics studio calendar, kiln schedule, studio policies, etc. We encourage all members to become familiar with our website, so poke around and check everything out!

    Website password: winter2025 (one word, all lowercase)

    From our website homepage, hover over the Member + Student Homepage on the header and click on Ceramics from the drop down menu. Enter the website password when prompted.

  • In the event of sever weather, power outages, winter storms, etc. we will close the entire building, please do not come as we need the parking lots cleared for snow removal.

    WINTER STORMS/STUDIO CLOSURES, PARKING, SNOW REMOVAL

    • Chases will be closed in the event of power outages, severe snowstorms, and other winter weather conditions. You will be notified via email.

    • We monitor winter weather and will email all renters, members, and students if the studio/building is closed. Typically we like to give 24 hours of notice, but winter weather (specifically power outages) can dramatically change at an instant.

    • If the York school systems closed due to severe winter weather, then all classes at Chases Garage will be canceled. If closures are due to a snowstorm, we will close the entire studio for safety reasons AND proper snow removal methods.

    • Parking lots must be fully cleared of vehicles in order to get everything plowed. We do our best to salt/sand all parking lots and driveways, but we live in Maine and snow can happen in an instant- be diligent and watch out for ice.

    • Chases is located near the beach, the weather is significantly different here than inland. Oftentimes surrounding areas/towns have a high accumulation of snow and Chases barely gets a dusting, it can be a mixed bag. Sometimes we will cancel class, but will remain open to renters, members, and students for open studio hours. If that is an option, it will be included in the studio wide email we send out.

  • Our building is a 100 year old auto garage converted into studio spaces. The building can be drafty and feel colder in the winter months due to our concrete floors. Maine winters are cold and temperatures drop dramatically at night. Please dress appropriately when coming to the studio. 

    We suggest wearing clothing suitable for colder weather (made of thicker, heavier materials), wearing layers (long sleeves and sweatshirts), and warm footwear (boots). Beanies are also a great choice. 

    PRINTMAKING + CERAMICS STUDIOS 

    • The printmaking and ceramics studios are run off of the same thermostat and the heating system heats both of those spaces at the same time. It is very important to keep the studio doors closed at all times. If you are going out into the hallway, make sure to close the door behind you. If you see either the print or ceramics studio doors open, please close them. If the doors are open, all of the heat leaves the studios and goes into the hallway/main part of the building (which is run off of a separate thermostat and heating system). 

    • The thermostat that controls the heat in the printmaking and ceramics studios is located to the right of the clay closet (in the ceramics studio). It is set on a specific schedule, and is password protected. Please do not try to turn the heat up, it won’t do anything. For the duration of November-March, the temperature is set to 66 degrees between 6:00am-10:00pm. If you are the last person to leave at night, make sure the studio doors are closed (and don’t forget to turn the lights off). 

    • If you feel that the studio is abnormally cold, press the thermostat to see the temperature. If the temperature reads lower than 66 degrees between 6:00am-10:00pm there may be an issue with the furnace and/or thermostat, so please CALL Erica directly on her cell: 207-451-3917. Explain the situation she will work on resolving the problem on her end. Please avoid calling or texting our owner Ned. If there is a pressing issue, such as a sink leaking, call Roche Locksmith (207) 363-4492. Tell them who you are and explain the situation. They are located across the street and can physically get to the studio quickly. 

  • We keep all members informed about studio updates other important studio announcements via email. Sometimes certain email servers automatically bounce our emails to junk/spam folders. To avoid this, add us (ceramics@chasesgarage.com) to your contact list.

    Our office hours are different every week so we aren’t always able to answer the phone. Our preferred method of communication is via email, however our studio manager Erica can always be reached on her cell: 207-451-3917

    KILN COMMUNICATION

    We have a hard copy of our kiln scdhule posted on the clay closet door. You can view our electronic schedule here.

    We will post on our private instagram account @chasesgarageceramics every time a kiln is unloaded.

  • Please respect all posted class times and plan your open studio time accordingly. View our electronic studio calendar here.

    Access: M-F 24/7 outside of scheduled classes

    Open studio time is first come first served, meaning that if you show up and the studio is full then you need to leave and come back at a later time

    Under no circumstances is anyone allowed to work in the main ceramics studio during scheduled classes or workshops.

    Members MUST clean up after themselves. This includes cleaning and wiping down all used surfaces (tables, wheels, wedging table, etc) AND cleaning up clay scraps off of the floor + mopping around your personal work area.

  • A 25lb bag of clay is $35.00 + tax. Clay must be purchased on our website.

    • Student Members: BUY CLAY IN PERSON USING THE POSTED QR CODES NEAR THE CLAY CLOSET

      Please have your teacher physically give you your purchased clay during class time. It is your responsibility to ask for clay during class. Purchase clay online and show your teacher the receipt in order to receive your clay.

    • Studio + Firing Members: Purchased clay will be left on your personal shelves on Mondays only.

    Students + members must use the clay sold by Chases Garage. Outside clays are strictly prohibited. SEE OUR CLAY POLICY FOR MORE INFO

  • Please choose a LEGIBLE signature to use on the bottoms of all of your pieces. Signatures allow staff to put your bisqueware and glazed work onto your personal shelves.

    3 WAYS TO SIGN YOUR WORK

    1.Using a dull pencil or pen on the bottom of leather hard work is a great way to avoid clay burrs on your signature, and it helps keep the lines bold and readable. You must use enough pressure to CARVE into the clay. Pen/graphite burn out- so use those writing utensils as a way to achieve a bolder/smoother line by carving deeper into the clay, instead of using a needle tool that is thin and scratchy.

    2. Use a custom made stamp! Metal/plastic are not porous, so stamps made out of these materials can be more difficult to use. When using metal or plastic stamps: add a thin ayer of cornstarch on the surface of leather hard work to help the stamp release from the clay.

    3. Use the black underglaze slip trailer on dry leather hard-bone dry clay to write your signature on the bottom. The slip trailer can clay if it is used on wet leather hard/leather hard clay- so wait until your clay is not soft/malleable. You only need one layer of underglaze when using a slip trailer.

    SIZE

    Please make signatures at least .5” wide so staff can read them. Small signatures can be hard to decipher, especially if they are written with a needle tool.

    NAMETAGS

    Make sure your name tags are legibly signed. If you would like a new name tag printed, shoot us an email and we will put a new one on your shelf next time I’m at the studio. 

    SIGNATURE PARAMETERS

    -NO CURSIVE

    -If using initials, please make sure they do not match any other students. If they do, please alter your signature (maybe add your middle initial, fully write your first name, etc.)

    -Signatures MUST BE AT LEAST .5” wide

    -Avoid using a needle tool to carve signatures! Carved signatures must be bold, clean, and easy to read.

    -We have over 55 students and members so please choose ONE SIGNATURE!!!! Whether it is your initials, your full name, a stamp, or a combination of multiple things (your initials with the date, etc) you must ONLY USE ONE!

  • Members + students must legibly sign all greenware! This is a vital part that keeps our studio organized and running smoothly.

    STARTING JANUARY 1ST 2024: NO SIGN, NO FIRE POLICY

    WORK THAT IS NOT SIGNED WILL NOT BE BISQUE FIRED!

    We will leave a note on any unsigned greenware asking for it to be signed. Please sign bone dry work with the black underglaze slip trailer (as carving a signature into bone dry clay is difficult and will yield an illegible signature)

    All bisqueware must be able to be stored on your personal shelf after we unload the bisque kiln. The best way to utilize all of your shelf space is to bisque and glaze work in a timely manner- keep things moving along and process them through all of the kilns.

    Unsigned work takes up space that we do not have, in both the studio and the kiln shed.

    We want you to enjoy everything you make so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE sign all of your work (with the same signature that is on your name tag)

  • Members are responsible for placing their work on the appropriate shelves in the kiln shed.

    Place work toward back of shelves so they won’t need to be moved.

    DO NOT touch anyone else’s work.

    Staff will not fire unsigned work.

    Pick up glazed work once fired, space is limited.

  • Only employees of Chases Garage are allowed to load, unload or operate the kilns. Students + members are prohibited from touching, opening, loading, firing, and unloading the electric and gas kiln.

    We reserve the right to revoke all memberships and/or student studio privileges for prohibited behavior.

  • Some students have been having some issues checking out with our class registration links or buying clay. The links are usually working correctly.

    Typically the issue is with what browser people are using. Chrome seems to work best (for whatever reason) with our registration links.

    If you are still running into issues, make sure the browser you are using is up to date. You can also clear your browser's cache and/or cookies.

  • Checking Out, Processing + Order Confirmation:

    • Make sure to check out using your current email address. 

    • Once you check out (pay), the webpage will say “processing”. This means you have successfully "checked out", and we have received your order. 

    • An “Order Confirmation” email will be sent when an order is placed.

    Fulfillment 

    • The back end of Squarespace makes us “fulfill” all orders. Once you checkout, the order will pop up on our end and we have to manually “fufill” it

    Confirmation Email/Receipt

    • Once WE fulfill your order, YOU should receive another email: An “Order Fulfilled” email is sent when an order is marked as fulfilled.

  • Please park in the side or back parking lot. Instructors and students cannot access the building through the front door. The ceramics studio door will be unlocked during scheduled class time.

  • Enter the building through the ceramics studio door, using your individual key card.

    The door will unlock and will automatically lock behind you. If you need to step outside and come back inside, just type tap your key card again.

  • $25 fee to replace lost, damaged, or unreturned key cards

  • Students and members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. We are a community of artists sharing a studio space. It is important we are considerate of our fellow artists so that everyone can work creatively and safely. Enrolled students may come in and work independently in the ceramics studio outside of scheduled class times.

    Open studio time is provided for members to pursue their work outside of scheduled class times. Open studio time is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheels and work areas must remain available for as many people as possible and may not be occupied or held unless they are actively being used. Be aware of containing your personal workspace; don’t spread out too far, and make room for others.

    Be responsible for cleaning up after yourself. This includes cleaning the floors. Mop around your work area before leaving (this includes around your work table AND your pottery wheel). If the mop water is dirty, empty it outside and refill with fresh water.

    All communal tools must be cleaned and returned to their proper designated places. Everything has been appropriately labeled. Our studio is only so big, please avoid leaving or donating outside tools, containers, measuring cups, etc., if you would like to donate something please email our studio manager for further instruction.

    If you intend to take work in progress home you will need to bring in your own board for transport. Boards are property of Chases Garage and are not to leave the premises.

    Always clean the wedging table as soon as you are done using it. Use a damp sponge when cleaning off excess clay. Avoid using tools to scrape clay off of the plaster, they will damage the plaster slab.

    Please practice cell phone courtesy while inside the ceramics studio and silence your cell phone. Take your phone conversations outside.

    Never touch, move, or pick up work that is not your own! Be aware of your surroundings before you start working. Be cautious, anything wrapped in plastic most likely has wet work underneath it. Avoid disturbing other people’s wet work by working in a different area.

    Membership and class registration allows you and only you access to our studio.

    We do not allow outside visitors, guests, friends, or family members to come in and work in our studio. Pets are not permitted in our building at any time.

    Any disrespect, harm, or harassment to Chases Garage staff, instructors, or fellow students/members will not be tolerated. We reserve the right to revoke all memberships and studio privileges due to prohibited behavior.

  • Each type of member receives some type of storage:

    Student Members:

    • a personal shelf (cubby) for the duration of their class

    • communal class shelf in the kiln shed for processing all work

    Firing Members:

    • personal shelf in the kiln shed for processing all work

    Studio Members:

    • a personal shelf in the ceramics studio for the duration of their membership

    • personal shelf in the kiln shed for processing all work

    Those ending membership must remove all clay, in progress work, tools, and personal belongings by the date specified by our studio manager. Anything left on personal shelves will be boxed up and labeled by our studio manger, and will be put in a designated area in the kiln shed FOR ONE MONTH. Due to space limitations, boxes that are left in our kiln shed for more than one month are deemed abandoned and the contents will either be thrown out or donated.

  • We have some communal tools that you can use while you are in the studio. Please note: we are no longer stocking needle tools, wire tools, loop tools, or anything else that comes in a basic pottery tool kit.

    All members should own their own basic pottery tools.

    If you are interested in purchasing a wider variety of tools, click here to view a list of our favorite ceramic suppliers.

    Communal tools, wooden boards, plastic, bats, banding wheels, rolling pins, forms, textures, foam, hair dryers, writing utensils, paint brushes, spray bottles, sponges, buckets, scissors, slips, wax, and glazes are property of Chases Garage. Students + members are prohibited from removing these items from the studio.

    Communal tools + equipment are to be cleaned thoroughly and put back where they belong after use.

    If you are transporting greenware to work on at your home studio- DO NOT use our plastic and boards for transport.

  • -Clay that has not been purchased form Chases Garage

    -Glazes that are not made at Chases Garage

    -Glazes containing lead

    -Previously fired items from outside of the studio

    -Pieces with additives, inclusions or foreign materials. This includes: wads of newspapers wire armatures organic materials wedged into clay, etc.

    -Pieces with walls or areas thicker than .5”

    -Solid pieces thicker than .5”

    -Pieces taller than 14”

    -Pieces that are at risk of breaking, falling over, or damaging other work in the kiln

    -Work with excessive glaze flaking/ glaze adhesion issues

    -Work with glaze that will come in contact with the kiln shelves

  • We have Shimpo wheels at our studio.

    A note from Shimpo: “This product may be harmful to someone with a pacemaker. Serious injury or death could occur. Please consult a physician before use.”

    If you have a pacemaker, please let our studio manager know.