Hourly Membership

An Hourly Membership at LOAM Clay Studio gives you access to open studio time where you can work independently on your pottery projects. Members should have enough experience to work safely and confidently without direct supervision.

You are eligible to become an Hourly Member once you have completed at least three (3) six-week classes at LOAM.

This requirement helps ensure members are familiar with LOAM’s studio systems, shared equipment, cleanup expectations, firing processes, and in-house glazes before working independently in the space. While pottery skills transfer between studios, every ceramics studio operates differently — especially when it comes to glazing and kiln workflows.

This learning period also gives both the studio and the member time to determine whether the membership environment is a good fit.

In most cases, yes.

While many pottery skills transfer between studios, we require members to have experience specifically within LOAM’s studio environment before joining open studio independently. This helps ensure members are comfortable with our cleanup standards, studio systems, firing processes, and glaze materials.

Glazing in particular varies significantly between studios, and understanding LOAM’s materials and workflows helps members achieve better results while also reducing the risk of negatively impacting shared equipment or other members’ work.

Potters with previous independent studio membership experience in a shared ceramics studio may qualify for a reduced requirement of one six-week class that includes glazing instruction.

Hours may be purchased one at a time or in packages up to 50 hours.

Hours can currently be purchased in person at the studio or over the phone using a credit card.

All hours are:

• non-transferable
• non-refundable
• valid for one year from the date of purchase

Open studio time must be booked online in advance (minimum one hour before the session start time) to ensure space availability.

Bookings begin and end on the hour.

For example, if you arrive at 1:15 PM for a 1:00 PM booking, your session will still end at 2:00 PM.

If you stay beyond your booked time, an additional hour will automatically be deducted from your account.

Bookings may be cancelled free of charge up to one hour before the scheduled session.

When you arrive for open studio, please check in with the staff member on duty so we can direct you to the best available workspace for your session.

Hourly Members have access to:

• pottery wheels
• handbuilding tables
• slab roller
• wedging tables
• ware boards
• foam and plastic
• studio glazes
• general studio tools located on the black glaze wall shelving
• shared chucks, tiles, and forms on the white shelving near the classroom area

Some spaces may occasionally be reserved for classes, workshops, or private events.

Some shared tools, consumables, classroom materials, and teaching resources are reserved for classes and are not available for open studio use.

Please note:

• materials and tools on the blue handbuilding cart are reserved for classes
• kiln room and glaze kitchen access are restricted to staff only
• the Independent (DIY) Studio is reserved for DIY Members unless otherwise specified by staff
• heat gun use is restricted and discouraged wherever possible

If you are unsure whether something is available for open studio use, please ask a staff member before using it.

All Hourly Members are expected to:

• arrive on the hour and check in with staff
• work safely and independently
• store bags and coats in designated areas
• respect shared workspace and equipment
• properly label and wrap all works in progress
• leave enough time for complete cleanup before the end of the session

We recommend allowing at least 20 minutes for cleanup.

This includes:

• wet cleaning workstations and shared surfaces
• cleaning and returning tools
• mopping surrounding floor areas
• properly storing work in progress

Before leaving, please ensure your area is fully reset for the next member.

Work in progress may be stored on designated open studio shelving.

All work must be:

• clearly labeled with your name
• dated
• properly wrapped when necessary

Unlabeled or abandoned work may be discarded during regular studio maintenance cleanups.

Clay is purchased separately from studio hours.

LOAM clay bodies are available for purchase through the studio and include access to our firing system and studio glazes.

Yes — firings are included when using approved LOAM clay bodies purchased through the studio.

Hourly Membership is intended for potters who are able to work independently without direct instruction.

Members should feel comfortable with:

• wheel throwing and/or handbuilding fundamentals
• glazing basics
• cleanup procedures
• safe shared studio practices
• How to manage their work through the making process

LOAM does not accommodate production pottery or high-volume output.

Our membership programs are designed to support creative exploration, technical growth, and ongoing studio practice within a shared community environment.

If you are interested in upgrading to a Monthly Shelf Membership or another membership type, please contact us directly to discuss availability, eligibility, and current waitlist status.

Priority is generally given to existing Hourly Members.