Independent Studio Membership

For experienced pottery students ready for self-directed studio time.

Independent Studio Membership
Independent Studio Membership is approved studio access for experienced adult potters who can work safely and independently.

This is not a class or open studio.
Application, approval and orientation are required before first use.

Apply here

Independent Studio Membership
IMS is not intended for beginners or for anyone needing regular help, instruction, reminders, or supervision. Beginners are warmly encouraged to take one of our pottery classes first. See our current pottery classes HERE

Who This Is For
Independent Studio Membership is for adult MWCA members who:

Have prior pottery experience
Can work independently without instruction
Understand basic pottery studio safety
Respect shared equipment, tools, clay, glazes, and other potters’ work
Clean thoroughly after themselves
Follow all MWCA pottery studio policies
Help protect the studio for everyone

Fee

Independent Studio Membership is $12 per studio visit

Independent Studio 5-Visit Pass

Approved Independent Studio Members may purchase a 5-Visit Pass for $50 at the check-out register on the gallery level, reducing the studio fee from $12 to $10 per visit.
Passes are available only to approved adult MWCA members who have completed studio orientation. Passes are assigned to one member only and may not be shared, transferred, or refunded. Passes expire 60 days from purchase. Each visit still requires sign-in and sign-out, PLUS having your card punched by a staff member, and all studio policies apply.

Studio Availability

The pottery studio may be used only during approved Independent Studio times and only when no pottery classes, workshops, camps, private events, or MWCA programs are taking place.
Availability may change from week to week due to classes, camps, events, staffing, maintenance, or MWCA needs.
Independent Studio Members are responsible for checking the MWCA website or calling 770-207-8937 before each visit to confirm current studio availability.
Check our calendar HERE.

Current Independent Studio Hours
During MWCA Open Hours: Sign in, pay (or have your pass punched), and sign out at the front desk on the gallery level. Enter and exit through the front door only.

Sunday: 1–5 PM
Monday: 11 AM–4 PM
Tuesday–Thursday: 11 AM–5 PM
Friday–Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM

Approved After-Hours Access
Enter and exit through the pottery studio basement door. Sign in with the Studio Captain.

Tuesday: 5–8 PM
Thursday: 5–8 PM
LydiaKay will usually serve as Studio Captain. You may give payment to LydiaKay or have your 5-Visit Pass punched by her.
If payment is not made at the time of the visit, you will be invoiced by email, and payment is expected immediately.

Studio Expectations
To keep the studio safe, welcoming, and enjoyable, members must:

Sign in and out at each visit
Pay the $12 studio fee or have their 5-Visit Pass punched
Follow all studio, kiln, glaze, cleanup, and safety procedures
Use only approved materials
Clean work areas, tools, and equipment thoroughly before leaving
Leave the studio cleaner than they found it
Allow 20–30 minutes for cleanup
Respect shared space, equipment, and other potters’ work
Follow guidance from the Studio Captain when present
Never touch, move, critique, correct, or advise on another potter’s work unless specifically asked
Understand that Independent Studio Members do not have kiln access
Understand that MWCA may pause, change, suspend, or revoke access at any time

Independent Studio Membership is a privilege. Failure to follow studio policies may result in loss of studio access. MWCA may pause or revoke access for safety concerns, damage, unpaid fees, repeated cleanup issues, or misuse of the studio.

Application Required

Apply HERE.
All potters must complete the Independent Studio Membership application before using the studio.
You only need to apply once. After approval and orientation with LydiaKay, you will be eligible to use Independent Studio time according to current studio policies, hours, and availability.
Applicants must be current MWCA members and maintain their membership.
Approval is based on pottery experience, readiness for independent work, safety, respect for shared studio use, and MWCA studio capacity.
Completion of the application does not guarantee approval.

Student Practice Pass for Current Pottery Students

Students enrolled in our 8-week beginner/intermediate pottery courses may receive a 4-Visit Student Practice Pass (a $48 value) after completing their 4th class. This pass is included with the class fee and allows one independent practice visit per week during the remaining weeks of the current class session.
Student Practice Access is not full Independent Studio Membership. It is available only to currently enrolled students, is intended for practicing skills introduced in class, and must be used during approved Independent Studio times. All studio policies apply.

Materials & Firing

Clay must be purchased through MWCA.
Clay purchase includes use of studio glazes and firing.

A Shared Studio Depends on Shared Responsibility

We are happy to offer more opportunities for potters to create, practice, and grow at MWCA. A community pottery studio only works when every person helps care for the space.
Thank you for helping us keep the studio creative, respectful, safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone.

Questions?
LydiaKay Blackburn
Pottery Studio Manager
[email protected]