The Clay Studio is part of Membership at the Clay Studio works like a gym. Members may access the studio at any time via a door code, and can work on whatever they want with few restrictions. There are no classes or lessons in the main shop area. Members get one personal shelf for storage. There is no contractual commitment. Membership is month-to-month.
Our members are potters, sculptors, conceptual artists, and even performance artists who want to work with clay. Although we do not offer formal classes at this time, the studio is a learning environment where members grow together as they share skills and ideas. In the recent past, the studio hosted guest artists and held seminars on the American Raku process. We hope to be able to provide these services again later this year.
The Clay Studio is part of Project Studios, which provides space and support for artists in the greater New York City area. Check the FAQ on this site for more information and browse the Project Studios website for even more information about the studio, including our Raku events.
We appreciate the variety of ceramic techniques and will attempt to accommodate however we can. The studio always has members throwing, hand-building, and slip-casting functional ware and sculpture. We will work with members working in terra sigillata or other specialized materials that might require a special firing, although we rarely fire beyond Cone 6.
At The Clay Studio, in-progress objects can be stored on large shelves in the main space, and fresh clay and saved scrap has dedicated storage. Artwork may also be stored on a member’s personal shelf.
The studio reclaims scrap clay for use as Raku clay or as a general-use stoneware body that can be purchased at a reasonable price. Members may choose to store their own scrap, or donate their unwanted clay to a common scrap bin for recycling. We test-fire every batch of our recycled clay and provide a sample for color and stability.
We have good ventilation and some HEPA filters in place to pick up dust as well as help keep the air clear of virus material. The main studio area also has a big garage door with an electric opener that can be activated at any time.
Materials are not included but the studio has lots of shared glazes that we make in the shop. We often order moist clay in bulk, which members can purchase from the studio. Members may also bring in their own clay, typically bought from our local supplier Ceramic Supply in Lodi, NJ. We also periodically order from Columbus Clay Company in Columbus, Ohio. Low-fire clay bodies are not allowed in the studio. All clays must tolerate Cone 6 (2232F) without melting.
Firing is included, but it is done as-needed. Everybody gets pieces in. If a member needs a dedicated firing for a production run, we charge extra for that. Production is not really what the studio is all about, but we understand that sometimes people have exhibitions or commissions. Generally, if low-fire glazes are desired, members can include those pieces in a bisque firing. Members don’t interact with the kilns. All firing is done by studio staff.
Periodically, we do outdoor Raku firing. Members must pay a fee that covers fuel for the kiln to participate. We have a set of Raku glazes, but members are encouraged to make their own or purchase commercial Raku glaze if they desire more predictable results.
Shared glazes may be used at no charge, but people who use them are expected to help replenish the supply. Glaze making is a big part of our studio culture and the studio also features many studio-made glazes that aren’t typically found in a shared studio. Members may also purchase their own commercial glaze which can be stored on their personal shelf or on a shelf in the glaze area reserved for privately-owned buckets.
Plaster for making bats and molds can be used in our upstairs spray booth. We don’t allow plaster to be mixed in the studio itself. Slip casting clay must fit the Cone 6 criteria.
To take a tour or request more information email us:
studios @ projectstudiosllc.com