• January 1 – March 31 (Winter registration opens on November 13 at noon)
• April 1 – June 30 (Spring registration opens on February 19 at noon)
• July 1 – September 30 (Summer registration opens on May 21 at noon)
• October 1 - December 31 (Fall registration opens on July 30 at noon)
Tuition: $330 per season
Capacity: 15

Register Summer

Register Fall

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!

How do I join the Clay Co-op?
The Co-op is limited to 15 participants per 3-month period:
• January 1 – March 31
• April 1 – June 30
• July 1 – September 30
• October 1 – December 31

Prerequisite
• Minimum of two semesters of ceramics classes at FVAC.
• 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
$330 per 3-month season. No prorating available!
$28 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.

Please check with the FVAC Google events calendar on our website to make sure no events are being held in Studios 2A and 4A. Hours are subject to change. There is an online sign-up form on the website for all current students and Clay Co-op participants that use the studio. This will allow for the center to keep track of use and security purposes. Sign up one day in advance.

Reserve Ceramic Studio


Equipment
The FVAC Ceramics Studio houses 6 potter wheels (studio 2A), several worktables (studio 4A), a wedging table (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.
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.