Winter Session (registration opens 11/12): January 8 – March 3
Spring Session (registration opens 2/18): April 15 – June 9
Summer Session (registration opens 5/19): July 8 – September 1
Fall Session (registration opens 7/21): September 16 - November 10
Tuition: $250 per 8-week session
Capacity: 15

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Become a Member of the FVAC Clay Co-op!
The goal of the Farmington Valley Arts Center Ceramics Studio Cooperative (the Co-op) is to give local residents the opportunity to work in a communal studio environment that is both well-equipped and stimulating. FVAC offers its functional ceramic studio to those who do not normally have access to ceramic facilities or home studios. Beyond offering the space and equipment, the Co-op supports an important need in our community. It is designed to bring ceramic makers together so that they can share ideas, techniques, and experiences within a supportive and creative environment.

The FVAC Ceramics Studio Cooperative is available to potters of all levels of experience and commitment and will benefit from the broad range of skill sets its members bring to the studio. With your support and participation, we expect the ceramics studio to continue developing as a dynamic place for students and Co-op Members to pursue their personal growth while continuing to inspire and promote excellence in our Ceramics Program. We encourage artists to work and learn together and what better way than through a cooperative environment!

Prerequisite
• Minimum of two semesters of ceramics classes at FVAC within the last two years.
• Considerate person with the ability to work in a communal environment
• Interview with Ceramics Manager regarding equipment use, guidelines, and liability, etc.

Clay Co-op Costs for not enrolled clay class students
$250 per 8-week session. No prorating available!
$33 Clay fee for 25 lbs. stoneware clay, glazes, and firing, only FVAC clay may be used. Fee includes a mandatory orientation regarding equipment use, guidelines, liability etc.
 
Open hours of ceramic STUDIOS 2A and 4A
Current students and Clay Co-op members may use the ceramic room during open studio hours. Students may ONLY use the studio during their current semester.

The room capacity limit is 6 individuals.

Studio hours are 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM except during classes.

To reserve a time slot (not exceeding 3 hours), please use our online FVAC Google events calendar. Please make reservations no more than three days in advance.

Equipment
The FVAC Ceramics Studio houses 6 potter wheels (studio 2A), several worktables (studio 2A & 4A), a wedging table (studio 4A), a pug mill (studio 4A), storage shelves, a slab roller, plenty of ware-boards and bats, plaster forms, an extruder and a plethora of tools for all stages of working. We have 2 electric kilns (only to be used by Studio Manager). The Ceramics Studio also offers a wide assortment of high-fire glazes and stains.

Rules
Use of studio is for clay work only. No other materials should be used as it could contaminate glazes, clay and or cause damage to equipment. Clay and glazes supplied by the FVAC are only to be used. No other clay body will be allowed to be fired in our kiln. Commercial glazes will be allowed with the instructor’s approval. We fire to cone ^6, so please ensure that any commercial glazes are rated to cone ^6.
Firings will be scheduled throughout the semester. We will do our best to hold weekly firings. To ensure everyone gets their work in on time for firings there will be cut-off dates for wet work and glazing. Dates for those deadlines will be posted and announced by your instructor. Projects ready to be fired should be placed on dedicated shelving unit. Those units will be clearly labeled.
Please be aware and respectful of how many things you are making. Our studios and kiln space do not have the capacity to support production-style pottery.
Scrap pieces of clay are to be disposed of properly. Dump scrap clay into the recycled clay bucket. Please reframe from pouring anything but water into the sink.
Students are to keep the classroom neat and organized. Please wipe down tables, extruder, and any other pieces of equipment after use. Wash buckets, brushes, sponges, and tools when done.