Terms and Conditions

members and the like are entitled to work or visit an environment free from sexual harassment and a hostile or offensive environment. We recognize sexual harassment as unlawful discrimination, just as conduct that belittles or demeans any individual on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual preference, age, disability, or other similar characteristics or circumstances. 
~ Please practice cell phone courtesy when in the studio and take any phone conversations outside the classroom, silence notification sounds, and refrain from distracting others with videos or photos during class time. This helps up maintain a creative, focused atmosphere, uninterrupted by the outside world for a few hours.

Health and Safety First: 

No one may use the studio equipment, glazes, clay and property of Pottery Energy Studio without prior permission from Nerrissa McKee, even if the door is unlocked to the studio. Schedule all studio time with Nerrissa. 

Pottery Energy takes a serious approach towards health and safety for the sake of all staff and students. Students use the studio at their own risk, with awareness of the inherent hazards of a Studio environment, which include, but are not limited to, use of sharp tools and sharp edges, exposure to toxic materials, the dangers of using materials and equipment at high temperatures, and the risks associate with breathing dust.

~ Our tools and equipment stay in the studio. Taking studio tools out of the classroom is considered theft. Always ask an instructor for guidance before trying a new tool or piece of equipment, and remember to use tools carefully — your safety is our top priority.

~ Never open, touch, or unload any kilns without the permission of Nerrissa.

~ Proper attire, including closed-toed shoes, eye protection (reading glasses are not acceptable), dust masks, and rubber/work gloves must be worn when working on certain projects or when working in certain areas of the studio. The studio is not responsible for supplying these items.

~ Do not eat or drink while working on pottery or at the tables that are designated for glazing or pottery making. Ingesting glaze can be toxic, even in small amounts that might not be visible to the eye or noticeable on surfaces. Please eat and drink away from the working area and wash your hands well before touching and ingesting any food for drink. All drinking vessels brought to the studio must have a tight lid, no open drinking containers allowed in the studio. All food and drink must be stored away from the working area at all times. 

~ When applying stain and sponging off it is wise to wear rubber gloves. Some stains may be absorbed through the skin and the amount of colorant in stains is a much higher percentage than glaze. Copper, manganese dioxide, and other colorants may be absorbed through the skin with prolonged exposure. 

~ Clay is primarily made of alumina, silica, and chemically bound water. These components, along with various impurities and organic matter, endow clay with its unique properties. While we try our best to keep the studio clean and clay dust at a minimum, it is almost impossible to keep the environment 100% dust free. Silica dust is harmful when inhaled into your lungs. As it is 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, you can be breathing it in without knowing. All measures possible should be taken to minimize the creation of excess clay dust throughout the studio. Because clay dust can be harmful, we do not allow any pottery sanding in the studio and ask that you clean your area, equipment and tools with a damp sponge to prevent further dust. All dry clay sanding must be done outside of the building, in the open air, wearing a protective mask. Additional information can be found here: 

https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/silica-dust/ https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/silica-dust/silicosis/

Safety Non-Compliance: 

Safety is our priority. Those not adhering to the policies may be asked to leave the studio for the day or permanently without refund. Please read carefully and see our website for the most up-to-date version of the policies.  Please note that class fees are non-refundable in these cases.

General Cleaning Guidelines: 

~ Wash all community tools, mats, brushes, tables, wareboards, etc. with a wet sponge and water that can be found in the cleaning buckets and put away prior to leaving. 

~ Check the floor of any clay pieces and pick them up to prevent them from drying and forming clay dust. Beware and limit any studio actions that create dust, as liberation of airborne particles is hazardous to all of our health. Sweeping of trimmings is allowed but must be done with a wet sponge to avoid kicking up dust. 

~ Glaze tools such as brushes, whisks, spoons, spatulas, and tongs, must be thoroughly cleaned between glazes and after use. Contamination between glaze buckets can ruin an entire batch of glaze and disrupt use for other artists in the studio. If a glaze batch is ruined as a result of improper use, artists may be charged for the materials and the time