Ceramics

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Shop Captains

  • Judith Kenigson, Captain
  • Emily Holis, Co-Captain

Shop Policies

Make Nashville Ceramics Studio Policies: These policies and studio notifications will be posted in the Ceramics studio on a bulletin board or white board.

Ceramics Studio authorization requirements:

  • Members and visitors who have not already done so must sign the Make Nashville (MN) liability waiver before entering and using the Ceramics Studio.
  • Members and visitors are requested to sign into the Ceramics studio upon entering. The sign in sheet will be posted at the entrance to the studio.
  • Before using studio equipment, members and visitors must be authorized to do so by the Ceramics Studio Captain or Co-Captain (“CSC and CSCC”), to ensure they know how to properly and safely handle the equipment. Names and contact data for the CSC and CSCC can be found on this Wiki and will be posted in the studio, as well as on slack. In the following, “CSC” shall refer to both the captain and the co-captain or any person designated by the captain.
  • Minors: Persons under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult who has been previously authorized by the CSC to use studio equipment. Minors may use equipment and materials only under the supervision of the authorized adult.
  • The MN Ceramic Studio will fire CONE 6 (^6) CLAY AND GLAZES ONLY, due to the possibility of damage to the kiln, with the exception that Cone 06 (^06) clay/glazes may occasionally be used for some classes and activities where a quick turnaround is necessary. For this exception, the permission of the CSC is required and items must be carefully labeled. (Studio users should be made aware of the difference between CONE 6, and CONE 06 during their orientation!) 'No clay of any kind may be brought into the studio without explicit permission from the CSC; documentation of the kind and provenance of the clay may be required.
  • Permission to use unidentified or non-Cone 6 clay in the Ceramics Studio will be given only after consultation and authorization by the CSC.

Materials and equipment use and storage:

Clay: All clay brought in (with prior permission) to the studio must be very clearly labeled with the owner’s name, the clay name/number and its cone designation written on the clay bag or other container. (Example: BMIX5, Cone 6, JudithK.) It should be stored in the member’s tote or a labeled locker or taken home.

Equipment: All Ceramics Studio equipment is to remain in the studio area. Small tools, books, stamps and other decorating items must be cleaned and returned to their original location after each use.

Personal items and tools: Members shall store all personal materials, tools, and equipment in their own totes or lockers; such items must be clearly marked with the owner’s name or initials. Visitors shall take these items with them when they leave. Since Make Nashville is a community resource, materials and tools that have no label are subject to be used by all users of the studio.

Glazes, chemicals, stains and underglazes: These materials are for general use unless labeled as personal property. Since they are expensive and their use is difficult to quantify, it is suggested that users might periodically make small donations of money or replacement materials so we can keep a variety of such materials in stock. Please consult the CSC or MN Treasurer (Joel Lindsey) to make donations to a fund designated for Ceramics Studio materials.

Donations of articles: Make Nashville appreciates all donations, but since space is limited, donated articles should not be brought into the studio until the CSC has approved the item.

Project storage and ownership:

  • Greenware, bisqued ware, glazed ware and completed projects shall be labeled, dated and stored appropriately. (See Procedures.)
  • Since shelf space is limited, finished projects, “abandoned” projects, and any unlabeled item must be claimed and removed from the studio area within 30 days of the date of completion or abandonment. (A date will be put on unlabeled articles found in the studio by the CSC.)
  • After the 30 day period, unclaimed articles are subject to be claimed or removed by Make Nashville. If proper labeling by the creator/owner is present, MN will attempt to contact the owner of the project/item before removal.

Safety:

  • Clay and glazes may contain minerals and toxic elements that are harmful if inhaled, ingested or introduced through the skin. Studio users shall use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and, if needed, shall request training when handling clay and glazes, as well as when involved with heat (kilns, heat guns, blowtorches), flames (blowtorches, raku kiln, reduction cans, barrel firings, etc.), sharp tools and large equipment.
  • Cleaning clay and glazes off surfaces should usually be done with water to avoid mineral dust in the studio air. (See Procedures.)

Firing:

NO ONE may load or activate kilns or use any flammable materials without prior training and explicit authorization by the CSC.

  • Projects will be fired only if: 1) they are bone dry, 2) they are properly labeled and 3) the bottom of the piece is free of glaze. PIECES NOT MEETING THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT BE FIRED
  • Members and workshop participants may have their projects fired without a fee; non-members shall pay a per-piece fee for firing. Check with the CSC for firing schedules and fees.

Cleanliness:

  • For reasons of health, safety and appearance, all studio users shall participate in keeping all studio areas clean EACH AND EVERY TIME they are used. The CSC may establish a duty roster to accomplish this if users do not routinely comply with this rule.
  • No tools, materials or projects may be left out (i.e. on tables, wheels, counters, etc.) in the studio after their owner has left the studio. Exceptions can be made with prior approval.
  • The sinks in the studio areas are for use with ceramics projects use only. If you see someone from another shop using CS sinks please inform them that they should use the general duty sink.

Community:

Be community-minded: Make Nashville constantly strives to ensure that the Makerspace is a caring, creative and supportive community. If you need help with anything, please feel free to seek advice from other MN members or the studio captain and co-captain(s); we are happy to provide support when needed. You can also post your question in the #Ceramics channel on Slack where someone will be happy to help you with whatever you need.

Be sensitive: When asking for guidance, please be sensitive to others’ time and availability. If someone is in the middle of a project, it might be important to wait until they are not deeply concentrating on their work before you try to get their attention.

Be respectful: Studio users shall be respectful of others’ projects and equipment. If something has a name or initials on it, do not use it without the owner’s permission.

Be alert: CS users are expected to know and comply with the Make Nashville Code of Conduct (available on the Wiki and posted in the Makerspace). If you feel unsafe, or uncomfortable, or believe that someone has violated the Code of Conduct, please inform an MN Officer immediately. Please do not approach the person who has allegedly committed a violation nor comment on the conduct in public or in a public platform (such as Slack). Make Nashville takes all reports of harassment and other Code of Conduct violations very seriously and will quickly investigate the matter with the goal or resolving it to everyone’s satisfaction.


Contact information:

Ceramics Studio Captain: Judith Kenigson, jkinterp@gmail.com, 615-948-5444

Co-Captain: Emily Hollis, emilyhollisart@gmail.com, 678-446-6690

Equipment

  • Slab roller
  • Extruder
  • Pottery wheels (currently 5)
  • Digital kiln
  • Raku kiln
  • Pugmill
  • Large assortment of "shaping" materials for handbuilding:
    • Slump molds, hump molds
    • Forms for trays, bowls, plates, platters
    • Variety of Cookie cutters
  • Large assortment of decorating materials
    • Sprig molds
    • Texture and pattern rollers
    • Stamps
    • Brushes
  • Glazing materials:
    • Commercial glazes
    • In-house glazes
    • Chemicals (large assortment) for creating custom glazes
    • Glazing tools
  • Raku tools:
    • Tongs, aprons, hi-heat gloves
    • Saggar tins
    • Horsehair, feathers
    • Naked raku slip
    • Combustible materials and cans

Stocked Supplies

Stocked Consumables