Studio Policies and Guidelines

Welcome to the Ceramic Art Center of Marin (CACM). To ensure a productive, safe, and respectful environment for all, we ask that everyone adhere to the following studio policies and guidelines.

Studio Guidelines

To ensure a safe, productive, and enjoyable experience for all, we have established a set of studio guidelines that every member and participant must follow. These guidelines are designed to maintain a healthy environment, protect our equipment, and foster a respectful, creative community. Whether you’re attending a workshop, an atelier session, or working independently, adhering to these rules helps keep our studio running smoothly and safely for everyone.

  • Hours of Operation: Studio access is limited to the posted hours. Ensure you complete your work and clean up before closing time.

    Member Access: Only registered members may access the studio for atelier sessions. Non-members may attend workshops and special events as scheduled.

    Keycard or Check-in: Members must check in upon arrival and exit to monitor studio occupancy and ensure safety.

  • When you enroll in an Atelier, you reserve your spot for a specific series of dates within a scheduled session. Ateliers do not repeat or continue, and enrollment cannot be postponed or transferred to a future session.

    Cancellations and Rescheduling
    To receive a full refund, cancellation or rescheduling requests (where applicable) must be made at least two weeks prior to the start of the Atelier. For requests made less than two weeks before the start date, refunds will only be issued if the spot is filled by another participant.

    Advanced Notice for Absences
    If you know in advance that you will miss part of your Atelier, please notify our Admin. We will make every effort to accommodate your situation.

    Make-Up Policy
    While make-up sessions for missed Atelier dates cannot be guaranteed, we will do our best to offer alternatives if possible.

  • When you enroll in a Workshop, you reserve your spot for a specific series of days and dates. Workshops do not repeat or continue, and enrollment cannot be postponed or transferred to a future workshop.

    Cancellations and Rescheduling
    To receive a full refund, cancellation or rescheduling requests (where applicable) must be made at least two weeks prior to the start of the Workshop. For requests made less than two weeks before the start date, refunds will only be issued if the spot is filled by another participant.

  • CACM reserves the right to cancel any Atelier, workshop, or event if the minimum enrollment is not met. In such cases, full tuition will be refunded.

  • Purchasing clay: All members are required to purchase clay through CACM. Clay purchased from outside sources is not permitted for use in the studio and will not be fired.

    Clay allocation: Atelier fees include one 25lb bag of clay as well as firing and glazing fees. Workshops also include an appropriate amount of clay for the project or session, along with firing and glazing.

    Firing: Only clay purchased through the studio will be fired. Please adhere to the firing guidelines for both bisque and glaze firings to ensure proper processing.

  • Personal Tools: All members are required to bring their own basic tools. To prevent loss, please label or engrave your tools with your name.

    Communal Tools: CACM provides communal tools and equipment for studio use, as well as the necessary tools for those attending workshops. All tools must be thoroughly washed before being returned to communal storage and must remain in the studio at all times. Workshop attendees will have access to the tools needed for their session, ensuring they have everything required to participate fully.

  • All CACM members have a designated shelf to store in-progress work and tools during their time at the studio. Members are responsible for managing their shelf space and should take tools and clay home if additional space is needed. Dedicated shelves are available for taller pieces. Full-time members have a dedicated drawer for tools and equipment.

    Ateliers & workshops attendees may leave their work on a dedicated shelf in the studio between atelier and workshop sessions.  All personal items and completed pieces must be removed from the studio at the end of the final  Atelier or Workshop session; any items left behind will be discarded.

    All members, Atelier and workshop attendees are expected to respect the studio by keeping their shelf space tidy and free of dust. 

  • LAB hours are available to all members and are scheduled throughout the week, providing time for independent work in the studio.

    Open Studio is an additional option for Part-time members, offering extended access to the studio during designated times.

    Full-time members enjoy full studio access at any time, except during scheduled Atelier sessions, Workshops, and private events, when the space is reserved for those activities.

    Associate Members: Atelier sessions include 3 hours of weekly LAB time to continue your work. These hours carry over from week to week but do not roll over between sessions.

    Part-time Members: Part-time members have up to 8 hours of weekly LAB time. These hours carry over week to week but not from month to month.

    Check-in and Check-out: Associate and Part-time members must check in and out via phone or at the computer in the glaze room.

    Follow the CACM LAB schedule when planning your studio visits.

  • Scrap & Rinse Buckets: Follow the proper cleaning process:

    • No clay or glaze should be cleaned in the glaze room sink.

    • No clay on hands, tools or other items may be washed in the bathroom sink as it will block the plumbing.

    • Clay scraps should go into the scrap bucket; water used to clean clay tools should be poured into Rinse Bucket #1.

    • Glaze tools must be washed in the glaze rinse bucket, not the clay rinse buckets.

    Workspace Cleaning: Leave your workspace cleaner than you found it. Always clean with a wet sponge (never sweep dry clay). Wipe down tables, wheels, and tools after use.

  • All students must learn proper studio etiquette and safety procedures before working independently during open studio hours.

    • Respect for Others: Please be mindful of other artists and avoid disruptive behavior. Use earphones for any personal music or videos.

    • Personal Space: Do not touch or handle another artist’s work or tools without permission.

  • Guests are welcomed in the studio during scheduled visits and Open House. To schedule a visit, contact us online or email us on info@cacm.studio.

Firing Guidelines

For us to safely fire your work in our kilns, it must meet our guidelines.

If your work does not meet the listed guidelines, it will be placed on the glaze room's correctional shelf until the issue is corrected.

    • Greenware must be completely dry before firing.

    • Cannot exceed 1/2 inch in thickness at any point.

    • Only clay purchased from the studio can be used in your work.

    • No armatures, paper, or non-clay materials should be included.

    • Only studio-approved underglazes are permitted.

    • Hollow pieces must have air escape holes.

    • Your name must be clearly marked on the bottom of each piece.

    • All work must adhere to our size guidelines.

    • Must be bisque fired prior to glazing.

    • The bottom must be completely free of glaze, with at least 1/4 inch clean on the sides of the foot.

    • Your name must be clearly marked on the bottom.

    • Only glazes approved by a staff member may be used (refer to our glaze guide).

    • If the piece has a hole in the bottom, it must be placed on a “cookie.”

    • Only use stilts, bead racks, or kiln furniture that are approved by a CACM.

  • 30-Day Hold Policy: Fired pieces will be held on the bisque or finished ware racks for 30 days. Pieces left unclaimed after 30 days will be discarded.

  • Approval Required: Our kilns fire at cones 05, 5, and 10. Get approval from CACM Admin for outside glaze use.

  • 10-Day Glaze Hold Policy: Any glazed work left on the pickup shelf for more than 10 days will be discarded, unless special arrangements are made in advance. Please contact Admin to make these arrangements.

    20-Day Bisque Hold Policy: Any bisque ware left on the bisque pickup shelf for more than 20 days will be discarded, unless special arrangements are made in advance. Please contact Admin to make these arrangements.

  • All work must be signed or stamped with an identification symbol or signature. You can carve, stamp, or use underglaze to mark your work. Any pieces placed on shelves without proper identification will be moved to the HOLD shelf.

Studio Cleaning Guidelines

We strive to maintain a clean, healthy, and safe environment at CACM. All members are expected to contribute by following these essential cleaning rules. Remember, dry clay and glaze create silica dust which is harmful to breathe, so cleanliness is crucial for everyone’s safety. Our motto:

“Leave it cleaner than you found it.”

  • Scrap Bucket:

    • All unfired clay scraps, chunks, and thick slurry must be disposed of in the scrap bucket.

    • Fired clay cannot be recycled and should be discarded in the garbage.

    Rinse Buckets:

    • Clay water only should be poured into Rinse Bucket #1 after cleaning tools in your own small bucket.

    • All clay tools must first be washed in your small bucket, and the used water discarded in Rinse Bucket #1.

    • Rinse your bucket in Rinse Bucket #1, followed by a final rinse in Rinse Bucket #2.

  • NO glaze is to be discarded in Rinse Bucket #1, Rinse Bucket #2, or the glaze room sink.

    Glaze Tools & Brushes:

    • Clean your glaze tools and brushes in the CINK.

    • Wipe glaze remnants from bowls with a paper towel and dispose of them in the trash.

    • Rinse small glaze bowls in the CINK, and perform a final soap cleaning of brushes at the regular glaze room sink.

    • Never wash glaze tools in the clay rinse bucket or the glaze room sink.

  • Always leave your workspace cleaner than you found it.

    Tables & Boards:

    • Clean your work surfaces twice with a wet sponge. Use a clean sponge for the second round.

    • Sweep any dry clay or glaze with the provided sweeping compound.

    Tools:

    • Wash your clay tools and dirty clay hands vigorously with a sponge in your small bucket to remove all clay.

    • NEVER wash clay tools or hands directly in the sink.

    • After initial cleaning, wash tools again in Rinse Bucket #1 and perform a final rinse in Rinse Bucket #2.

    • Return all communal tools to their designated storage spots after cleaning.

  • After Using the Wheel:

    • Turn off the wheel.

    • Empty and wash splash pans using your small bucket and sponge. Discard thick slurry in the waste bucket and clay scraps in the scrap bucket.

    • Rinse the splash pan in Rinse Bucket #1 followed by a final rinse in Rinse Bucket #2.

    • Wipe down the wheel, stool, pedal, and tabletop, then dry everything with a clean rag.

    • Place the stool upside down on the wheel head and the pedal on top of the wheel.

    • Reinstall splash pans, making the wheel ready for the next user.

    • Clean the sponge one last time before drying with a clean rag.

    Floor & Surrounding Area:

    • Use a sponge to soak up any water or clay splatter around the wheel.

    • Remove clay trimmings from the floor with the sweeping compound.

  • Wedging Table:

    • Always clean the wedging table with a wet sponge immediately after use.

    Hand-Building & Glazing Tables:

    • Wipe down your hand-building or glazing table area with a wet sponge after use.

Terms & Conditions

  • Refunds will be granted under the following conditions:

    Cancellations made two weeks in advance: A full refund will be issued if you notify CACM in writing at least two weeks prior to the start date of the Atelier or Workshop.

    Cancellations within two weeks of the start date: Refunds will only be provided if your cancellation is submitted in writing and your spot is successfully filled by another reservation.

    No refunds after the start date: No refunds will be issued for cancellations or discontinuations made after the Atelier or Workshop has begun.

  • CACM LLC is not responsible for your personal protection against COVID-19.

    By participating, you agree to follow all CDC and state guidelines, including staying home if you feel unwell, suspect you may be sick, or have tested positive for COVID-19. You must remain home until you have a negative test result.

  • CACM LLC is not responsible for the safekeeping of personal belongings in the studio. We recommend storing your tools in a lockable box if you have concerns, or taking them home with you for added security.

  • The Ceramic Art Center of Marin LLC staff may take photos or videos during Ateliers, workshops, parties, or events. By participating, you grant permission for these images and videos to be used in promotional materials, without name or personal identification.

  • You assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries, or property damage incurred while participating in CACM programs. This includes any claims related to COVID-19. By participating, you agree to release CACM, its employees, and representatives from all claims.

  • 1. Membership Cancellations: Members must provide a written notice of cancellation at least one month in advance. This notice ensures a smooth transition and proper processing of your account.

    2. Membership Plan Changes: To change your membership plan, you are required to submit a formal request via the designated form.

    Plan changes will take effect at the start of the next monthly billing cycle. Requests submitted mid-cycle will not be applied retroactively.

By joining our studio, you agree to comply with our terms and conditions and will be required to sign our Studio Waiver.