Work Environment and General Guidelines
A common understanding of studio practices is conducive to a creative and productive environment.
Education is the primary focus of this studio and safety is a fundamental concern. Many safety issues are resolved by maintaining a clean studio. Every studio user is responsible to clean the space(s) they have used before leaving the studio for the day.
A ceramics studio contains numerous hazards.. Glaze chemicals, clay dust and studio equipment all have the potential to cause serious injury if handled improperly. Policies and rules have been established by The Romero House Potters, Inc., Board of Directors and the Studio Manager to minimize hazards. It is essential for your own safety that you become familiar with the policies and rules and follow directions given by instructors, monitors and the Studio Manager. If you have any health concerns regarding your work in a ceramics studio, consult your doctor. Please remember the most important contribution you can make to the health and safety of all is to maintain a clean and tidy studio.
ARRIVING AT THE STUDIO
Each person arriving at the studio, whether for a class, open studio time, a workshop or other event, should sign in upon arrival. The class instructor or studio monitor can advise where the sign-in sheet is located. Sign-in should include the person’s name and the time of arrival.
CLAY AND TOOLS
Only cone 10 clay is allowed for use in the studio. You may bring your own preferred cone 10 clay or purchase recycled clay at the studio. The studio also has a selection of tools for your use. Please clean and return these tools after use.
WORK FLOW
Please keep work moving. Avoid letting work pile up on the shelves in the work-in-progress room or on the shelves in the kiln shed. Green ware should be removed from shelves and be set out for bisque firing as soon as possible. Bisque ware not in the process of being glazed should remain on the appropriate shelves in the kiln shed. Please glaze your ware as soon as possible and remove from the studio after the final firing. At the end of each class session, the shelves may be sorted through and unclaimed work may be discarded.
OPEN STUDIO
Open studio time is provided for members and students to pursue their work outside of class time. It is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheels and work areas must remain available for as many people as possible and may not be occupied or held unless they are actively being used. When demand is especially high, members and students are asked to keep a 3-hour limit on use of wheels or work areas. Open studio hours are scheduled and posted in the studio and on the web-site. Open studio time may be preempted for special presentations, workshops or scheduling changes. Changes to the open studio availability will be posted on the studio blackboard as soon as possible.
FOOTWEAR
Studio users must wear appropriate footwear. Bare feet and flip flops are prohibited. Footwear fully covering the feet is recommended.
MAKE-UP CLASSES
The studio is not responsible for providing make-up classes or issuing reimbursements for classes, programs or workshops missed due to student illness, student emergency, weather, substitute instructors, or other events beyond our control.
DISMISSAL
The studio reserves the right to exclude from its activities, classes, workshops and other programs anyone who fails to abide by its policies, practices and rules. An instructor, monitor or the Studio Manager may dismiss a member or student from the studio due to disruptive activity. “Disruptive activity” is any activity that disrupts the enjoyment of the studio by others and includes, but is not limited to, inappropriate or illegal behavior, including theft, damage or vandalism to the work of others or to any RHP or TMA property; failure to follow the direction of an instructor, monitor or Studio Manager; failure to adhere to the policies of The Romero House Potters, Inc., the regulations stated in this handbook, or the rules of the Romero House Ceramics Studio. If any disruptive activity is so extreme that the Studio Manager believes the member or student should be permanently dismissed from the studio, the Studio Manager will make that recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will consider the Studio Manager’s recommendation and render a decision. The Board of Directors will make a decision on the basis of fairness, the good of The Romero House Potters, Inc., its members and programs, and common sense.
CLEAN-UP
Each individual using the studio must help to keep the studio spaces clean and orderly. Wheels and splash pans, tables, bats, ware boards and banding wheels should be scraped off, sponged, stored away and left clean for the next user. Equipment such as sponges, spray bottles, buckets and other tools should be cleaned and returned to the proper storage area. Sink areas should be cleaned of empty bottles, cans, used paper towels, etc. Every class and open studio session is responsible for leaving the studio clean at the end of their session. It is sometimes necessary to clean what others have left behind. Instructors and studio monitors may delegate clean-up responsibilities to ensure the complete clean-up of the studio.
LEAVING THE STUDIO
Each person, before leaving the studio, will make certain to have cleaned up their work area and to have put away all work. Each person will leave the building by closing time, whether attending a class, open studio, work shop or other event. Before leaving the studio for the day, each person should sign out, noting the time they left the studio. No one is permitted to remain in the building after closing, with the exception of technicians who are attending to tasks assigned by the studio manager. Anyone who does not comply may be dismissed with no tuition reimbursement.
LIABILITY-RELEASE CLAUSE
In accord with the liability-release agreement that all participants or the parents/guardians of minor participants must sign when registering for a program, all such participants and associated non-participating visitors (“releasors”) assume all responsibilities for and risks and hazards of participation in the named program or visitation and agree to release from liability and hold harmless Romero House Potters, Inc. and/or its visitors, studio members, technicians, contractors, instructors, and affiliated organizations (“releasees”) for all loss, damage, or injury that may occur therein, whether caused by the negligence of releasees or otherwise. The preclusive effect of this liability-release agreement applies equally to the releasors’ families, friends, heirs, and assigns.
EQUIPMENT AND FACILITY USE
Cabinets, lockers and storage shelves are available on a first-come, first-served basis to currently registered students. Materials stored in those spaces must be relative to the student’s ceramic work. Caustic or dangerous chemicals are not allowed. Keep your storage space clean and free of dust. The Romero House Potters, Inc. is not responsible for damage or loss of materials stored on the premises. The Studio manager or monitor may remove and dispose of items left behind after a student or member is no longer enrolled in either a class or open studio.
CERAMIC MATERIALS
The materials and tools used in the studio are safe if handled correctly. However, exposure to any material, through the lungs, mouth or skin can be harmful. Clay and glaze dust are the most common hazards. In addition, many metal oxides and metal compounds used in glazes are toxic in their raw forms.
Take precautions to avoid lung damage. Wear a respirator and gloves if you mix glazes or stains or oxides. If you must sand or scrape bone-dry clay or glaze, do so outside and wear a particle mask. Clean up sanding dust with a wet sponge or by sanding over a bucket of water. Clean up spills and clay trimmings before they dry. Clean all surfaces by wiping with a wet sponge or mop – never with a dry paper towel, brush or broom. Clean up thoroughly after yourself in the studio, including the floor around your work area. Clean all bats and ware boards with a damp sponge. Wear a particle mask when using the spray booth or when working in the chemical room. Wear gloves when handling raw glaze materials and washes. Many of these materials contain heavy metals such as copper, cobalt and manganese.
Do not pour excess glaze, plaster, slip , or rinse water down the drains in the studio or the restrooms! They are pollutants and could cause drainage problems. Any use of plaster should be monitored by the instructor or Studio Manager. Only dedicated containers may be used. Your instructor or the studio monitor can advise where to dispose of glaze water, plaster or clay washings. The studio manager must approve any under glazes or glazes you bring to the studio.
CHEMICAL ROOM
The chemical room is off-limits to all studio users unless authorized by the Studio Manager. Those using the chemical room to handle, mix or store chemicals, should use gloves and masks while participating in those activities.
EQUIPMENT
Kilns, wheels and other studio equipment are both delicate and potentially hazardous. Observe the following precautions to avoid accidents and injury: Do not place anything on kiln lids. The lids are fragile and often very hot. They are not intended to be used as tables or storage areas. Space is tight and sometimes hazardous in the kiln area. Avoid lingering and socializing in the area. Do not use the slab roller or extruder without having received instruction from an instructor. Do not use the pug mill without authorization from the Studio Manager. Turn all electric wheels to the “off” position after use. Position cords and foot pedals out of the way of foot traffic.
GLAZE AREA
The glaze area is small and the users are many. To accommodate everyone, follow guidelines. Do not use any glazes without having received instruction for the use and application of the glazes. Glaze buckets should be left covered except when in use. To prevent the contamination of glazes, glaze mixing devices (the drill mixer, wire whisks, etc.) should be rinsed first in rinse bucket #1 and subsequently in rinse buckets #2 and #3. When virtually all glaze residue has been removed, the glaze mixing devices should be rinsed in the dish pan in the glaze room sink.
After use, each glaze bucket should be closed with its cover and returned to its correct storage position. When the glaze room is being used by more than one person for glaze application, anyone using the room for the application of resists (wax, latex, shellac, etc.) should move outside of the glaze room to complete the resist application. Upon completion of glazing tasks, each person will clean the area they used, by wet wiping the counters, glaze buckets and trolleys, washing utensils in appropriate containers and mopping the floor.
GLAZES
Most fired glazes provided by the studio are food safe. If you have any questions about the quality or safety of any studio-provided glaze, please ask an instructor, monitor or Studio Manager. Only those persons authorized by the Studio Manager may mix chemicals to make glazes. All glazes made with any chemical that belongs to the studio must be available to all studio users. No raw chemicals or mixed glazes may be removed from the studio. Anyone bringing glazes into the studio for their personal use, or use by others, must provide glaze information to the Studio Manager and acquire the Studio Manager’s approval for the use of the glaze(s) in the studio.
KILNS AND FIRING
Every reasonable effort will be made to fire work, both bisque and glaze, as soon as possible. For every firing, each kiln will be as full of ware as possible. Preference for firing work will be students first, monitors and technicians next, followed by instructors. Technicians firing kilns should pay particular attention to any firing instructions left by the Studio Manager. If a ware is left out of a firing due to space considerations, an effort will be made to insure the ware is included in the next firing. Students should leave an identifying mark on their ware that will survive bisque and glaze firings. The firing sequence begins with the bisque firing. The bone-dry ware is to be placed on the shelves marked “ready for bisque”. The piece should be placed as deep on the bisque-ware shelf as possible, to leave room for other people’s work. After the piece has been bisque fired, it will be placed on a bisque ware shelf. The student should glaze the piece as soon as possible or remove it from the premises until returning for glazing at a later date. After the piece has been glazed, it should be placed on the glazed ware shelves according to height and, again, as far back as possible, leaving room for other pieces. Glazed pieces will be loaded for the glaze firing as soon as there are enough pieces for a firing. The Studio Manager will schedule and coordinate all kiln firings. The glaze firing schedule will be posted on the blackboard so studio users will be aware of when those firings will take place.
After the final firing, all completed pieces should be removed from the studio as soon as possible. Each studio user is responsible for their work. Unclaimed pieces cannot be held or stored indefinitely. Remaining pieces may be discarded or donated to RHP. The Romero House Potters, Inc. cannot be responsible for lost or unclaimed work nor for undesired or inconsistent results, kiln accidents or work that is damaged. Generally, only work produced at the Romero House will be fired in the studio’s kilns. Only the Studio Manager may allow the firing of work brought in from outside the studio. Approval for such a firing must include an assurance that the work is cone 10 clay. Anyone requesting the firing of work made outside of the studio will be responsible for any damage to the kiln, kiln furniture, shelves and equipment, and to other pieces, caused by the firing of that work.
RECLAIMED CLAY
Studio users may reclaim their clay or they may place their clay scraps in a studio bucket for the studio to reclaim. Processing of reclaimed clay should take place outside the building, in the patio area. The pug mill may be used to process reclaimed clay only if the Studio Manager has approved its use by the person processing the clay.
WIFI
Due to a very limited bandwidth internet access is for administrative and teaching activities only. While we would like to provide access to all, the cost of a higher bandwidth connection is not currently feasible.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Studio users are expected to behave in a manner consistent with the creative atmosphere of the studio. Creativity flourishes in a friendly, enthusiastic yet peaceful setting. Please maintain civil and courteous behavior. We are committed to providing a safe environment for all studio users, free from discrimination on any grounds and from harassment at work including sexual harassment.
DEFINITIONS
Incidents of harassment and discrimination include but are not limited to inappropriate comments, slurs, jokes, pictures, objects, threats, physical assaults, intimidation, institutionally or culturally discriminatory policies, practices, and norms, inequitable application of policies, and inequitable or biased treatment, based on age, race, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, class, ability or disability, sexual orientation, and political or religious belief.
Inclusivity is providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those having physical or intellectual disabilities or belonging to other minority groups.
ADDRESSING INCIDENTS OF DISCRIMINATION OR HARASSMENT
OPTION 1: if you feel safe and able, directly address the person. Name the behavior or activity and how it impacted you. Tell them what you want. eg: “In the future I would appreciate you telling me why you are upset rather than insulting me.” Engaging the studio monitor may also be helpful in addressing concerns.
OPTION 2: any concern that can’t be resolved between studio users should be brought to a RHP representative as quickly as possible, using the contact information below or grievance reporting form. The RHP representative will address the incident according to our investigation and grievance procedure listed below. Complete grievance reporting form or report incident to a RHP representative so RHP has a record of the incident.
If you observe an incident of discrimination or harassment
First, check in with the person experiencing the incident to see what support they need and what course of action would be most helpful to them. From there, determine next steps for addressing or reporting the grievance (see above for more details). If you become aware of a situation that may become tense or volatile, please notify your instructor or the studio monitor immediately.
All perceived violations and complaints of discrimination and harassment are considered seriously and dealt with in a manner that is fair, urgent, and consistent. All complaints will be taken seriously and treated with respect and in confidence. No one will be victimized for making such a complaint.
Accidents happen in ceramics studios. The Romero House Potters, Inc. is not responsible for the loss or damage of work or personal property. Breakage can be minimized by not touching or handling the work of others. If you must handle the work of others, please do so with the utmost of care, treating it as if it were your own. If you accidentally damage another person’s work, please immediately notify your instructor, the monitor, and leave a note for the person whose work was damaged. If a piece of your work is damaged, please respond graciously, acknowledging that accidents occur even when others are careful.
Thefts, though rare, are best avoided by either locking personal possessions in a locker or keeping them with you. Do not leave your personal possessions unattended.
NOISE
While working in or passing through the studio, be as least disruptive as possible. Meet personal visitors outside of the studio. Except in the case of an emergency, do not use a cell phone inside.
ANIMALS
Animals are not permitted at the Romero House.
SMOKING
The ceramics studio is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is not permitted inside the building or the area inside the chain link fence.
ALCOHOL
The consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or the use of recreational drugs on the studio premises are prohibited. Alcoholic beverages may be used with the Studio Manager’s approval for special events such as the end of a class session or a kiln opening celebration. Consumption of alcohol by anyone not of legal age is always prohibited.
FIREARMS
Firearms are not permitted at the Romero House.