Student Protocol

 

COVID-19 Protocol

We will be keeping up to date with regulations regarding COVID-19. For the moment, they are as follows:

  1. Instructors are responsible for taking attendance of all individuals entering into the studio
  2. When you arrive please wash your hands immediately.
  3. Each student will share half of a shelf with another student. Your space on the shelf will be labeled. Please keep your clay, tools and ware boards on your shelf for the class. If you need additional boards & plastic you may get them from the tool shelf.
  4. There is medical grade disinfectant available in the clear bottles with the grey nozzle, and our logo on them. This is safe to be used on your skin (on anything you may be touching.
  5. The doors and windows may be kept open through the class to improve air circulation as necessary
  6. If you wake up in the morning and are feeling even slightly unwell please cancel your Drop In prior to 11am or put your name in the Absent Student column, and please send Gabrielle an email. We kindly ask you that you not wait to see if your symptoms get better or worse before making the call: if you are feeling even slightly off please do the considerate & kind thing and reschedule your session. Entering the studio with ANY type of illness is unacceptable and you will be asked to leave.

We are open to feedback with how we are doing, if you have any thoughts or concerns regarding protocol please let me know. Your mental wellbeing and safety are of utmost concern. As we are entering into the second wave of the Pandemic, it is urgently important that all community members respect our policies regarding illness. Please do not come to the studio if you have experienced any of the following within the past 24 hours:

Common symptoms
  1. Fever
  2. Dry cough
  3. Tiredness
Less common symptoms
  1. Aches and pains
  2. Sore throat
  3. Diarrhoea
  4. Conjunctivitis
  5. Headache
  6. Loss of taste or smell
  7. A rash on skin
  8. Discolouration of fingers or toes

Serious symptoms

  1. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  2. Chest pain or pressure
  3. Loss of speech or movement

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility. People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 5 days.

If you are unwell, please email Gabrielle at studio@communityclay.ca and advise her to your condition, so that we may keep everyone safe. It is necessary for you to be symptom free for at least 24 hours prior to re-entering the studio.

    Studio Clean Up

    The Clean up Procedure should happen in this order:

    1. Wash down your tools, splash pans, and wheels into your throwing bowl PRIOR to going to the sink.
    2. Take your tools, splash pans and wheels to the sink to give a rinse.
      1. At this time you are rinsing off any residual dust as most of the cleanup should already have been done at your wheel into your throwing bowl. You should not be cleaning clay off, or scrubbing. 
        1. We have this policy in place otherwise you will end up washing a lot of clay down the sink which can cause expensive problems with the plumbing, and to ensure that people are not spending an extended time at the sink, delaying everyone from cleaning up.
        2. We take this policy very seriously and failure to comply will result in revoked access to the studio.
    3. Scrape the sediment in the bottom of your throwing bowl into the garbage clay bowl that's on the stool by the tool shelf.
      1. If you scrape the clay first, the sediment gets stirred up into the water and defeats the purpose of this policy.
        1. If this sediment gets into the clay recycle it will ruin the entire batch. If you are unsure of where the buckets are located please ask the Instructor // Supervisor.
    4. Rinse bucket in the sink and give final wipe to the wheel.
    5. You are required to complete the “Student Check List” prior to leaving. 
    6. Students must check in with the instructor prior to leaving. You may be asked to further assist the teacher with cleaning by taking on another task, this helps Instructors with their clean up procedures, and enables classmates to work as a team. Tasks could be:
    1. Sweep around the tables
    2. Mop around the tables
    3. Sweep back hallway
    4. Mop back hallway
    5. Sweep around table in Annex
    6. Mop around table in Annex
    7. Replace water in Studio Mop Bucket 
      1. (after people have mopped)
    8. Replace water in Annex Mop Bucket 
      1. (after people have mopped)
    9. Wipe down of tables
    10. Wipe down the sink in Main Studio
    11. Organize trimming tool container
    12. Fold cover plastics nicely
    13. Clean sponges in bucket
    14. Wipe handprints from doors
    15. Wipe down scales
    1.  Trimmings go into the appropriate clay recycle buckets (located beside the Glaze Table).
      1. Each type of clay has a different bucket, please read the signs.
    2. Absolutely no clay in the bathroom sink. Do not wash or bring any pottery tools into the bathroom.
    3. Please clean tools and put them back where they belong. 
    4. Please scrape clay off of the table & sponge down where you have wedged.
    5. Please sweep around the table if your clay bag has left crusties on the floor, and/or dropped trimmings around your wheel.
    6. Please mop splatter around your wheel, and your wedging spot at the table.
    7. Clean up is 30 minutes before the open studio is over. You need to manage your time, and if you need more time to clean up it is your responsibility to schedule it.

    Drop In's (while you're in a course)

    1. Drop In's are supervised but self directed, if you have questions please ask them during class time. If you need help, or have forgotten how to throw, ask your peers, watch online videos, practise and/or register for a class. Please do not come to the studio expecting Supervisors or myself to teach you, this is our time to work as well.
    2. If you cancel within 24 hours or no show, you will be charged for the spot, unless your spot is taken (I suggest emailing us as soon as possible to arrange for someone else to take your spot.)
    3. Your card will be charged for the Drop In after it has been completed, cash is not accepted.
      1. You may be refused access to the studio if you have outstanding invoices.
    4. You are allowed 2 wareboards in your shelf allotment at one time. Any more will infringe on your neighbors shelf space.
    5. Please be mindful of other Member’s work & belongings on the shelves.
      1. Do not move or touch other Member’s belongings.
    6. If you are creating work during a course (and/or Drop-In Studios throughout the course) wareboards should be placed on the class shelf. 
    7. If you are creating work in Drop-In Studios and not enrolled in a course your wareboards should be stored on the Drop-In Studio shelves.
    8. By purchasing a Membership you are agreeing to maintain a shelf space as long as your Membership is active. The billing cycle will automatically renew, unless canceled. If the Membership is canceled, you agree to vacate your shelf space by the end of the billing cycle. Any items remaining after the billing cycle will be recycled or donated. You agree to any charges for storage of items after the billing cycle commenced.
    9. Glazing is not permitted in Drop In's unless you have received permission from Gabrielle // Jackie after completing a Glazing Checkout. Please see the Glazing Section for more information.
    10.  If you are late cleaning up after Drop In has completed you may be charged a late fee.
    11. We do not supervise the use of the Drop In Shelves. If something goes missing it is not the responsibility of Community Clay Inc., it's teachers, volunteers, or affiliates. Please keep your work organized and labeled so that nothing goes missing.

    Classes

    1. You are welcome to come to the studio 30 minutes prior to your start time to get settled and ready for your class as follows:
      1. 10am for 10:30am start time
      2. 2pm for 2:30pm start time
      3. 6pm for 6:30pm start time
        1. Please do not arrive prior to these times.
    • The door may be open, but please wait outside until the times listed above.
    • Depending on the type of class, a clay allotment is provided to students at the beginning of their session. For first time students this will be Smooth White.
    1. The studio does not guarantee that you will complete any work by attending a Course, Workshop, or Drop In.
      1. If you expect to complete all your work within the Course, you are responsible for managing the timeline of your work.
        1. Information & support will be provided to obtain this goal.
    2. In 8 week courses, Glazing is completed in the last class, you must book a Glazing Workshop to finish your items. Please see the Glazing Section for more information.
    3. Upon enrollment in a course you are considered a studio member, and are welcome to come to Drop In's for the duration of your Course.
      1. We suggest coming to at least one Drop In per week, after the second day of the course in order to get the most out of your course.
      2. Please see the Drop In Studio Section for more information.
      3. Once your Course is over, you must obtain a Membership to continue coming to Drop In’s.

       Glazing

      1. Studio Glazes are provided for you. If you are interested in having your own glazes please ask your Instructors on protocol.
        1. All glazes made or purchased outside of the studio need to be approved by an Instructor -in your Course or a Glazing Workshop- prior to use.
        2. Test tiles must be made and glazes tested before regular use.
      2. Underglazes may be used on greenware (recommend firm leather hard stage) or bisqueware. 
        1. Please run any purchases made outside of the studio by Gabrielle before bringing into the space. Please note that outside clay is NOT PERMITTED.
      3. Glazing Check Out’s are available in a Glazing Workshop upon request. 
        1. Participants are required to demonstrate knowledge on set up, safe material handling, efficient glazing abilities and clean up.
        2. Prior to Glazing Check Out, members usually do 4-5 Glazing Workshops to acquire skills required to glaze on their own.
        3. Glazing rights may be revoked if do not:
          1. Check in with the supervisor prior to glazing.
          2. Demonstrate confident material handling.
      4. Ensure your glaze is not applied too thickly, or too close to the bottom as it may run and stick to the kiln shelves.
        1. Glazes should be a minimum of .5cm from the bottom of your pot.
          1. If you would like to have the glaze closer to the bottom you are required to have your item ready to be fired on a clay cookie.
        2. If your work sticks to the kiln shelves you may be charged $20-100 for shelf grinding and/or replacement.
      5. Please place items to be fired on the shelf with other glazed items. 
      6. Items on the top glaze shelf have been rejected from firing. We reject items in order to allow you the opportunity to fix them prior to firing, as it is harder or sometimes impossible to fix. This reject shelf will be cleared out on the 1st of every month.
        1. Please address item(s) and put them back on the appropriate shelf to be fired.
        2. We reject pieces due to the following reasons:
          1. The glaze is applied too thickly
          2. There is glaze on the bottom and needs to be wiped off
          3. The piece has been knocked or bumped and glaze has fallen off
          4. You missed a spot while glazing.

        Firings

        1. Once your greenware items are trimmed, labeled with your name, and completely BONE DRY, they can be put on the shelf to the left of the kiln for bisque firing.
          1. If your name is not labeled on your piece it will not be fired. 
          2. If you put your item on the shelf to be fired and it is too wet it will be put on the reject shelf. This is to ensure the safety of the item, and the pieces around it as it may explode in the firing if there is still moisture in the piece.
            1. To tell if your item is dry, it should not feel cold or wet. Try touching it to the back of your hand (like testing a baby bottle) to see if you feel any dampness.
        2. Please do not touch or move any other Member’s work on the shelves to be fired.
          1. Stacking work improperly can cause hairline fractures or cause items to be stuck together once fired.
          2. If there is no space on the shelves to leave your work to be fired, please come back later. Do not touch other people’s work to make space for your own.
        3. Any work that breaks/cracks will not be fired. 
        4. Wareboards are not permitted on glaze/greenware shelves. Your pieces will not be fired.
        5. Firings happen daily, however there is no schedule as they are dependent on what type of work there is more of. It is your responsibility to check the shelves at least 1x per week to ensure that you have collected all your items.
          1. The longer you wait to pick up your pieces, the more likely it is that your pieces may be broken or missing. 
            1. Sometimes a piece can get knocked in the greenware or bisque stage causing a hairline fracture that may only be seen once the item has been fired.
        6. After your pieces have been fired you have 2 weeks to collect them.    
          1. Items waiting longer than two weeks will be tossed without warning. 
          2. The 2 week policy is a courtesy, however waiting that long means work sits on the shelves taking up room and people can not put new items on the shelves. 
          3. Work that is beyond the 2 week Toss Date will be placed in the Toss boxer one extra week, then tossed out.
        7. If you can not find your pieces, your work may be:
          1. In the kiln. 
          2. On one the fired shelves. Take your time looking. I will find work for Members that swear they have already checked 2-3 times already.
          3. On the reject shelf.
          4. In the Toss box.
          5. Already thrown out.
            1. You are responsible for your work. The studio does not keep track of work, and is not responsible for damaged, lost, stolen, or thrown out pieces.
        8. A link to the Firing Calendar is provided in the Weekly Update email.

        Missed Classes & Makeups

        1. Please be aware it is a cozy studio, and if you arrive sick or ill, you will be asked to leave.
          1. If you arrive at the studio sick or with symptoms you may have your access suspended or terminated. Refunds will not be given.
        2. If you are sick during your course, you may use the Missed Classes & Drop In Spreadsheet to organize a make up class. 
          1. This is your responsibility to manage and the studio does not guarantee a makeup class will become available to you.
          2. You are eligible for a Makeup Class if you mark yourself away at least 24 hours PRIOR to the missed class, or provide a Doctor's note if marked within the 24 hour time period.
          3. Missed Classes will not be available to people who do not mark themselves away prior to the Class starting, no exceptions.
        3. If you successfully makeup your class, please remove yourself from all other spots you signed up for or else you will be charged $45 per spot.
        4. Makeups are not permitted in Drop In Studios. NO EXCEPTIONS.
        5. If you miss a class due to COVID-19 the Missed Classes Policies are in effect, no exceptions.
        6. If a class is cancelled due to a closure because of COVID-19 the class will be rescheduled. No refunds will be given, no exceptions.

        General Studio Guidelines

        1. No clay from outside the studio is permitted. 
          1. Additional bags of clay may be purchased through the studio.
          2. If you need more clay, please ask the instructor/supervisor on duty within the first 30 minutes of a clay/drop in to request more clay.
          3. Please run any purchases made outside of the studio by us before bringing into the space.
          4. You are allowed and encouraged to purchase tools from outside the studio! You are also welcome to ask Gabrielle her advice on tools as she has many years of experience trying shiny new things.
            1. There are general studio tools on the Drop In/ Class Shelf for you to use, however there is no guarantee that these will be available for you, so please have your own. Tools can be purchased from us or elsewhere.
          5. We recycle!
            1. Please put the wet paper towel in the paper products bins. All bins are labeled. We do not have a garbage bin in the studio, please take your garbage with you.
            2. All clay bags are recycled. There is a bin for them on the bottom shelf of the tool shelf.
          6. Please do not use paper under your pots, this creates a lot of waste. Paper with clay on it is not able to be recycled. If you are worried about items sticking/cracking due to the water slide technique, run the wire cutter underneath them after putting onto your wareboard.
            1. Tip: use a metal rib on your piece right before you cut it off to remove the excess slip/moisture and you will be able to take most items off of the wheel by cupping gently with the palms of your hands.
          7. Do not touch any work/belongings that are not yours.
            1. All shelves, including work waiting to be fired, are off limits.
          8. Under no circumstances should you remove or touch anything on Gabrielle’s, or any other Studio Space Shelving.
            1. For details regarding common tools please see item 2 above.
          9. You are able to leave your tools on your wareboard, if you have your own.
          10. You are responsible for managing your work. 
            1. Your work will not be covered up for you. You’re welcome to pop into the studio at the beginning of the Drop In Studios to adjust how you've wrapped your pieces to dry out your work. Please sign up for pickup on the Missed Classes & Drop In Spreadsheet.
          11. Absolutely no sanding is permitted in the studio. Sanding may be done outside, and you should wear a mask.
          12. When handling bisqueware, ensure there is no lotion or oils (from touching your face or food etc.) on your hands as this may prevent the glaze from adhering properly.
          13. Under no circumstances should any members enter into the area outlined by blue tape around the kiln.
            1. It is prohibited for any person(s) to touch the Kiln(s) without explicit permission from Gabrielle.
          14. Please do not ask me, supervisors or instructors where your work is. 
          15. If you open the door in the Annex to the street, please close the door if you’re leaving the room unsupervised. Please ensure it is latched as the lock does not always catch when closed. 
          16. Please be aware we may have dogs on premises, and use diffusers with essential oils. If you have any allergies please notify me prior to class.
          17. Community Clay Inc. reserves the right to refuse service to person(s) who do not comply with studio guidelines.
          18. Any person(s) who do not treat other person(s) with kindness and respect will be asked to leave the premises. Discrimination, hate speech, disrespectful behaviour is not permitted, no exceptions. You will not be reimbursed for any classes in the event that you are asked to leave the studio.
          19. Courses & Workshops are non-refundable, if you are unable to attend, please email prior to the class start date to see if it is possible to have your session transferred.
            1. A refund is not guaranteed.
          20. Please note that Community Clay Inc. is under no obligation to compensate you in any way or refund part, or all of class if you can not, or do not attend.
          21. Transfers are under sole discretion of Community Clay Inc.
          22. Community Clay Inc. and it's affiliates reserves the right to refuse service to person(s) who do not comply with studio guidelines. 
          23. By attending a class or open studio, you hereby agree to all terms & conditions.

          Exclusion of Liability

          By attending classes and open studios you agree and understand that in connection with your participation in any event or activity, you may be exposed to a variety of hazards and risks, foreseen or unforeseen, which may or not be inherent to those activities and events. The risks include, but are not limited to the dangers of personal injury, property damage, property loss, and death. COMMUNITY CLAY INC. has not tried to contradict or minimize your understanding of these risks. By entering into the studio, you agree and understand that injuries and damages can occur by natural causes, or by the acts of other persons or third parties, either as an act of negligence or because of other reasons. You are personally responsible for all costs and/or risks associated with any public or private event or activity. Notwithstanding anything herein, to the fullest extent allowed by law, you agree to waive, discharge claims, release from all liability and indemnify and hold harmless COMMUNITY CLAY INC., its organizers, hosts, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers. agents, volunteers, and other partners and employees, from any and all liability on account of, or in any way resulting from injuries and damages in any way connected to events and activities. You agree and understand that this waiver and release will be binding upon your heirs, executors, agents, administrators, and assigns, and will include any minors accompanying users at the events. Your participation in this private event & affiliated activities is at your sole and exclusive risk. COMMUNITY CLAY INC. may refuse admittance, may charge the admission fee, or ask you to leave at any time for any reason.