Since 2020 we have been running an ‘open studio’ program for people to use the wheels and other equipment in untaught sessions each week.

What it is and how it works ….

Open Studio is a monthly subscription to the Studio of £40 per month - this gets you one guaranteed 2-hour session on the same day each week plus access to the Studio during the other opening times during the week to glaze/ hand-build (you can also use spare wheels when they’re available). We ask for an initial commitment of 3-months, paid by direct debit/ in three-monthly instalments. You will be sent details on how to set this up once you join the Open Studio program.

That does not cover firing costs which are generally around £2.50 for a mug, £3.50 for a bowl. The cost reflects the size and shape of the object and is based on how much space it takes up in the kiln/ how much clay has been used. This covers the cost of the materials, and the energy costs of running the kiln. We reserve the right to change these prices to reflect the changing outlay on energy/ material.

Firings are done regularly and fit around all the other things going on at the Studio and what wares are ready to go in. Once pots are ready for firing you leave them on a shelf in the kiln room where they are priced up at the bisque stage and fired. You will be left an invoice on your shelf roughly once per month.

Every open studio member is given their own labelled shelf, and overspill space can be found for larger projects. You are welcome to bring and leave your own tools and glazes on your shelf, (we are not responsible if these are lost or stolen). All brought-in glazes need to be pre-approved by Logan before they first go through the kiln.

There is a Facebook and Whatsapp group for members to share pictures of their makes/ discuss ideas, etc. and we have occasional social events for people from the different nights to meet each other and have fun. We also run bi-annual pottery sales for members to have a go at selling their pottery.

When are the sessions?

Currently the sessions run:

Tuesday 1-3.30pm

Tuesday 7-9pm (handbuilding only)

Wednesday 7-9.30pm

Thursday 1-4pm

We have the capacity to extend the days/ times available if there was enough demand. More info on the waitlist form.

Want to join?

In order to join the waitlist for Open Studio you must have completed two of our six week classes (one if you want to join as a hand builder).

This is to ensure you have the foundational skills required to use the studio equipment safely and effectively.

Even if you have equivalent prior experience elsewhere we still ask that you attend at least one full six week class with us before trying to join Open Studio. This is to ensure that you are familiar with our expectations in the Studio and we can make sure we’re a good fit.

Please note the Open Studio program is NOT suitable for professional production potters. We do not have the space or firing capacity to accommodate large volumes of work being regularly turned over by individuals.

Open Studio has been designed for hobbyists and artists producing a few pieces each month. We have 100+ people using the Studio each month and with 1 employee we simply cannot accommodate production potters. As our mission is to support as many people as possible getting a start and to work towards setting up their own studios and businesses, our facilities are easily overwhelmed when an individual's production is well beyond that of everyone else.

Should your production get to the point of making 15+ pieces a month we will need to talk about the next stage which would be setting up a home studio, what equipment to buy kilns etc. We have helped multiple participants do this over the years and have loads of experience guiding persons toward suppliers etc.

If after all that you would still like to join Open Studio please fill out the below form to put your name on the waitlist and we will be in touch as soon as there is a space available - in the meantime you are of course welcome to continue attending classes to keep up the potting - hopefully see you again soon!