Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and answers on the topic of our Hoboken pottery and ceramics studio, based on years of experience.
Q: Where is the Clay Studio located?
A: Our studio is located on the ground floor of Neumann Leathers at 66 Willow Avenue in Hoboken, which is a large former factory complex full of art and music studios. The Clay Studio is part of Project Studios, the largest tenant in the building.
Q: What is Project Studios?
A: Project Studios is an LLC that provides co-working space for creative people and sometimes creative businesses in their early stages of development. In other words, Project Studios works within the arts sector giving creative people a place to work with amenities to support their process. The Clay Studio part of the creative ecosystem Project Studios has created.
Q: How does the Clay Studio work?
A: The Clay Studio is a membership-based studio that functions in a similar way to a gym. Members may access the studio at any time via a door code and are provided with one personal shelf.
Q: How much does a membership cost, and what kind of contract or commitment is required?
A: Membership carries a monthly fee of $150.00. There is no commitment or contract beyond a simple membership agreement.
Q: How big is the studio?
A: The studio occupies the entire ground floor of Building A at Neumann Leathers which is about 3500 sq. ft..
Q: Are there classes and lessons at the Project Studios Clay Studio?
A: At this time there are no classes or lessons. The studio is focused on providing a professional workspace for artists and artisans who want to work independently and utilize equipment.
Q: How about safety?
A: We have good ventilation with exhaust fans and high-volume HEPA filters in place to pick up dust as well as help keep the air clear of virus. We also have a big garage door with an electric opener that can be opened at any time.
Q: What does the membership fee include?
A: Materials are not included but the studio has lots of shared glazes that are made in the shop. The studio often orders clay in bulk, which members can purchase.
The studio also recycles scrap clay and sells it at a discount. These studio clays are tested and a fired sample is provided.
Members may also bring in their own clay, typically bought from our local supplier Ceramic Supply in Lodi, NJ. Low-fire clay bodies are not allowed in the studio. All clays must tolerate Cone 6 (2232F) without melting.
Shared glazes may be used at no charge, but members who use them are expected to help replenish the supply. Glaze making is a big part of the studio culture. Members should also purchase their own commercial glaze.
Firing is included, but it is done as-needed and in a balanced way so that everybody gets pieces in the kiln. If a member needs a dedicated firing for a production run, that carries an extra fee. It is not really what the studio is all about, but we understand that sometimes people have exhibitions or commissions and may have a deadline. Members don’t interact with the kilns.
Q: What kind of kilns does the studio have?
A: All of the kilns are electric except for our Raku kilns which use propane. For specifics on the studio’s equipment, see our equipment page on this site.
Q: Does the studio do any alternative firing processes?
A: Periodically, we do outdoor Raku firing. Members have to pay a fee that covers fuel for the kiln. We have a set of Raku glazes, but members are encouraged to make their own or purchase commercial Raku glaze if they want more predictable results.
Q: Do members have to bring in their own tools?
A: Almost all members have their own set of basic clay tools. Members may not bring in their own kiln or wheel, but certainly may bring in their own bats, brushes, containers, and anything else they have a personal preference for. The studio has a wide selection of shared hand tools that can be borrowed at any time.
Q: Is this studio run by, or owned by an artist?
A: The owner of the Project Studios Clay Studio is Nick De Pirro. He is an award-winning exhibiting artist with a Master of Fine Arts degree in sculpture. He is also an independent curator, and former New York City gallery owner. He has a long history of working in the arts. He has worked professionally as a furniture fabricator, information technologist, and college instructor. He has operated Project Studios as a successful venture since 2006. He recently received a New Jersey Visual Arts Fellowship from the State of New Jersey for his mixed-media sculptures. Additionally, the Project Studios staff has undergraduate and graduate degrees in visual arts and sound engineering.