Drop-In Program

To join the Drop-In program, please email managers@rubysclaystudio.org to schedule an orientation. Orientations are scheduled on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 5:30 PM and Saturdays at 1:30 PM of each month. By scheduling an orientation, you assert you are experienced with clay and do not need instruction. Please arrive a little early for Drop-In orientation, so the 15 to 20-minute orientation can begin on time.

About the Drop-In Program:

This program provides weekly studio time for people experienced in clay and high-fire (∆ 10) ceramics and who are self-sufficient.  Space during a Drop-In session is available on a first-come-first-served basis and is not guaranteed.

Students who are completing work from their last class session or who have had three classes in the last 12 months may enter the program. Returning Drop-In program users should contact management to ensure that there is room for their return.

Lastly, please familiarize yourself with Ruby’s Drop-In Procedures & Rules listed below.

Drop-In Hours

Mondays 5:00–8:00 PM, Tuesdays 1:00–4:00PM, *Wednesdays 5:00–8:00 PM, Fridays 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, Fridays 5:00-8:00 PM, Saturdays 1:00–4:00 PM, Sundays 1:00–4:00 PM

*No Drop-In during the Monthly Community Meeting: The studio holds a monthly meeting on the last Wednesday of each month. Please check the studio calendar for dates.

No Drop-In Session: Please check the studio calendar for other dates listed as “No Drop-In” during holidays or other studio events.

Drop-In
Procedures & Rules

FEE: Drop-In program participants pay $20 per session and sessions are purchased in advance in session packages. We will invoice you for your firing fees at the end of the month. Firing fees are based on the cubic inch of the piece. Each month participants are allowed a maximum of $40 in firing fees. Firing fees include bisque and glaze firings as well as use of studio glazes. Students or other studio users who need to complete works in-progress after their program ends can come in on a per session basis. Please see a manager about scheduling single sessions if you are a student who needs to complete work.

LIMITS: Because of space constraints, Drop-In participants must limit their production to $40 or less of thrown, hand-built, or sculptured pieces per month. None of these may exceed 12” in any one dimension. You may take more than a month to work on your pieces, but you cannot have more than the monthly maximum amount in firing fees of unfired greenware work at the studio at any given time.

COMMUNITY AREAS must be shared equally with others. Keep your work and tools consolidated. Clean shared tools and work areas after use. There are shelves to store tools and clay and designated areas that participants use to move their work to completion. Bisque and glaze firings occur on posted dates once a month. Participants will be oriented on the use of our glazing room (with 24 high-fire glazes) and any other shared tools available at the studio.

EQUIPMENT should only be used once you are familiar with its operation. First-time use should always involve a manager's help. Participants are financially responsible for any damage that may occur because of improper usage.

PRECAUTIONS: Dust from clay and glaze contains particulate silica that is injurious to health. Long-term exposure can cause silicosis, a chronic blockage of the lungs similar to emphysema. To keep all members safe, any dust-creating activity is prohibited. This means no sanding, sweeping, blowing of clay, or shaking slab roller canvases out. Glazes may also contain other hazardous elements, so don’t eat or drink while glazing and avoid skin contact. However, when fired, the studio glazes contain no lead and are safe for food.

CLEAN UP with a damp sponge, wet mop, or use a spray bottle to wet surfaces and wipe up with a damp sponge. Everyone is required to wipe down surfaces and mop the floor around their wheel or worktable before leaving. Clean-up is part of your session, so always give yourself enough time at the end of your session to clean (usually 10 - 15 minutes).

LABEL any of your work left in the damp room with your name, date and “Drop-In.”  Trimmed work should be stamped with the Drop-In “star-asterisk” stamp on the base of your pot. Unlabeled work may be removed; If you don’t want your work disturbed, then label it!

ACTIVITY: You are considered "inactive" in the drop-in program if it has been 6 weeks or more from your last session. To reactivate your activity all you need to do is contact management. You can also designate yourself as "inactive" at any time after your work is fully completed at the studio. Be aware that once you are inactive you should not use the studio for storage of any kind, and any work or tools left are in danger of being purged.