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Etiquette For Community Studio, Suggestions Plz!


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I am from Houston, TX and am currently working for a ceramic supplier in Melbourne AU. We are trying to come up with a studio etiquette notice/letter to hand out to all of our customers that take advantage of our open studio space. The challenge I am facing is that we do not have a studio monitor as we are a business (supplier) that offers an open community studio mostly based on an honour system. Also, not everyone that uses the space is a member so we do have some one off visitors. Our studio access is growing at a rapid pace which has caused the cleanliness to become an issue. 

I am hoping to get some feedback on how to reiterate the importance of a community maintenance and responsibility. I understand that even in a classroom setting with teachers and assistants, this can still be a challenge. 

 

Please respond with any and all suggestions. All info is very much appreciated! 

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Everyone who has ever worked in a community studio feels your pain!

Some people just don't think to clean up after themselves ... they assume there is someone else who is paid to do the unpleasant work.

 

The one I used to work in had a mandatory training session ... you could not use the studio without going through the process.

 

For your system you might need the training session plus an agreement that states what you will do and what you expect from them. They initial and sign each one. That way no one can say they did not know they were supposed to clean up after themselves.

'One of' users are unusual for a community studio in my area ... I don't know if they are the problem or not, but Membership might encourage more rule compliance.

Hope others have some better ideas ... Good Luck!

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Having been in a similar situation (non-clay related), I'd love to pass on some words of wisdom.

 

"Clean" means different things to everyone. If clean means no traces of clay left behind, than state that specifically. If it means all drops of glaze are wiped from counters and floor, that cleaning supplies are returned to their labeled storage area and that any damp fabric/sponges, etc are hung to dry, then state it specifically. If you use a sweeping medium to control dust, explain where to find it and how to use it.

 

If you require wheels to be clean at the end of use (and I hope you do), explains that means catch basins are removed and cleaned, bat pins are in place, bats are stored on their edges, etc.

 

Even if it seems like common sense, write it down. Be sure to include things like no eating or drinking in the glazing areas, etc. If the users need to empty the trash, make sure they know what to do with the full bags and where to find replacements. What do they do with scraps of clay? Does clay water have to be disposed of in a certain way and, if traps need to be emptied, who/how do they tell?

 

You might end by pointing out the things they don't have to be concerned about (trash, sweeping, emptying traps, etc.). If you still have issues, then perhaps, even though use is free, a cleaning deposit will be required. The rule follower types will appreciate knowing exactly what is expected and the non-rule following types won't have excuses,

 

Oh, one last hint. A label maker is your friend. Spend 15 minutes labeling where everything goes.

 

Hope this helps,

Karen

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Karen's tips were great.

As mentioned previously, I spent 26 years in a communal studio. We each had our own working separate studios, but there was a common gallery and shared kitchen, etc.

One thing not mentioned is;

Who changes light bulbs.

Who cleans the bathrooms.

Who washes the common hallways.

All has to be worked out, esp. if you have open houses.

You could have a meeting twice a year and have a list of jobs on the fridge prior to your big sales.

TJR.

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Also make sure they know to bring their own pottery tools.   

 

We have had problems with the recycle bins also.  Dark clay in one and light clay in the other.

 

Restrict the type of clay used in the studio.   If the studio fires only to cone 5-6, then no low fire or cone 10 clay can be put in the recycle bins. If you use your own clay, take home the scraps unless the clay is the same as the studio clay.

 

If you a dark clay in the slab roller use the canvas setup for dark clay.  Light clay uses light canvas setup.

 

You may want to keep the catch basins to the wheels at the front  desk and hand them out as the patron is assigned a wheel.  Then tell the patron to return the cleaned  catch basins to the front desk at the end of the work time.

 

If closing time is 6:00 PM, then clean up time starts at 5:30 PM with no new projects after 5:30.   Everything should be cleaned before closing time.

 

Contaminated glazes were always a problem.

 

These were some of the things we had to address.

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>You may want to keep the catch basins to the wheels at the front desk and hand them out as the patron is assigned a wheel. Then tell the patron to return the cleaned catch basins to the front desk at the end of the work time.

 

This is so smart ... solves a huge issue, delegates responsibility without arguments.

Now, to solve the problem of cross contamination of glazes .....

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The main thing you're seeing in all these suggestions is that every little thing must be spelled out in very clear terms. It will seem like overkill, and you will feel like you're insulting everyone's intelligence, but if you leave anything open to interpretation you'll regret it. Humans are humans, and a certain (substantial) percentage will always take the easy way out and annoy everyone else. Leave no room for interpretation, have a meeting, sign the paper. Also spell out the repercussions of failing to follow the rules and stick to them. Run it like a business, not a feel-good-artsy-space.

 

In my studio the cleanup procedure takes an entire page in relatively small font. It was actually written by my students.

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Who checks everyone in or out? If there is a person on " duty" then there might be some issues, but it does ensure everything gets done. I have seen community spaces where everyone was required to fill slots watching the space.

If no one is on duty, who is the person who checks to see everything is done? An part time care taker, someone working another place ?

Things will be left undone and take longer to correct if no one is obviously in charge. Sign in/out sheets at each station in conjunction w a main sign in/out .also if things ever really got out of hand , photo proof( I it can be faked , but those people will always be those people).

Most people will get into bad habits , not out of anything other than ignorance. People also get more defensive if intrenched in their ways, so better to catch them early. I like labels and training sessions , with everything well documented and within reach.

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everything suggested so far is great.  just a few added here.  no radios except with earphones is a good one.  no moving of the equipment.  slab roller canvas needs a label for light or dark clay written on the canvas itself with sharpie.  repeat the rule about using only approved clay.  some places require purchase of approved clay from the studio itself.  i have visited one where all costs are covered by charging $5 a pound for clay.  firing, glaze, etc covered by that figure.

 

biggest thing is get a deposit of $100 each to be used if a kiln shelf is ruined. someone has to be in charge and that person has the final say.

 

personal belongings go in a locker of some kind or an open cubby hole.  not responsible for loss of private property.  lights off when last person leaves.

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One thing that used to drive me crazy was that people expected me to change the burned out flourescent light bulbs.

I am a member of the studio just like you. I am not the custodian. If the lights go out, they need to changed. Sometimes we would have 3 or 4 lights out and nobody would step up.

I LOVE  having my own studio.

TJR.

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Yes TJR, community studio issues were my number one motivation to get my own!

My pet peeve was that the last person glazing would end up having to clean up for everyone who left earlier ... they just put things in the sink since others were still glazing. It doesn't matter what else is going on ... Clean up anything you use!

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dirtbabe,

 

You don't currently have studio monitors, but could you? I run a community clay studio that averages about 45 monthly renters and 40 adult students per month, with Friday night drop-ins, afterschool programming through the local school system, and other random programming scattered in. We probably average 150 different individuals accessing the studio any given month. Getting everyone to pull their own weight and clean up after themselves is one of a list of constant challenges the studio faces.

 

There have been lots of good suggestions so far in the thread about the specifics relating to this piece of equipment, that kind of clay, etc, but for my studio, the most important piece in keeping things clean, organized and functional is my team of Studio Assistants. Each of these individuals hosts the studio for a consistent, weekly 4 hour chunk of time when studio members come in to practice/produce. All studio access for renters and students is contained to open studio hours hosted by a Studio Assistant. There are about 30 open studio hours per week... some mornings, some afternoons, lots of weekend time and a couple of late night shifts. The Studio Assistant arrangement is a work trade. They give their time in exchange for a set of keys for 24 hour access (outside of classes), a a large shelf space, a discount on clay, and most importantly the learning opportunities.

 

For each shift I assign the Studio Assistant tasks such as loading/unloading kilns, mixing glazes, pugging clay and cleaning/organizational projects. In addition to this assigned work, there is a closing checklist that Studio Assistants complete to make sure the studio is always left in good shape. Ultimately Studio Assistants are responsible for leaving the studio clean. Often times Studio Assistants have to remind renters and students to clean up after themselves... a "you missed a spot" kind of thing. The Studio Assistants who are less comfortable with confrontation end up cleaning up after renters and students... and quickly become much more comfortable with confrontation. 

 

Without the Studio Assistants our space would turn into a heap very quickly. I could cover the place in signs about studio procedures and expectations, but without someone monitoring the space the signs would be ignored... people like making messes, not cleaning them up.

 

Oh... and prior to working in the studio, members must sign a form that spells out what they can expect of the studio and what the studio can expect of them. That way, if someone does blow off their responsibilities we have a signed agreement form them stating they'll follow the rules.

 

Ultimately, if you can take on some studio monitors and limit the hours of studio access to times when the space is hosted by a monitor your studio will stay in much better shape.

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  • 11 months later...

Old topic, but I thought I would mention DO NOT SWEEP THE FLOORS. Mop the floors and sponge the counters and surfaces. You do not want silica dust particles hanging out in the air for days at a time. Also have your students grind, sand, and mix anything that would create dust outside.

 

If I could stick post-it notes to all the students that sand their pots at their wheels in the studio to remind them I would. <_<

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We have posted rules about clean up via wet mopping and what is expected. Ditto in the glaze room where the inevitable drips need to be wiped up.  We also have a clean up day about 4 times a year which is a pizza party after a three hour thorough clean up session. We also pay two members to do a thorough mopping once a week. 

 

We also have other ettiquite rules about not playing music or singing and not being loud while classes are going on, taking out the trash, doing recycling etc. Everyone seems to find a nitch to help in such as picking up toilet paper or running paperwork to the bookeeper. We have paid techs to mix glazes and tend the kilns and a log for those who are permitted to unload the bisque kilns. Sometimes its a circus but seems to work. New people are taught the clean up procedures by their instructors or other members.   rakuku

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In addition to wet mopping I am thinking of getting an air purifier. I think it filters a room of air on a continuous basis every so many minutes. I want to research more on the filters to make sure its right for clay. At least it will minimize what's continuously floating around and after hours prob really cleans up the air with nothing being kicked up. Seems worth it.

 

 http://www.homedepot.com/p/Honeywell-HEPA-465-sq-ft-Allergen-Remover-HA300BHD/204390560?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|DigitalDecor|google|D29A+Air+Quality|_pkw__pmt__product_204390560&mid=sQ4LIZ0XE|dc_mtid_8903yuu57254_pcrid_50236714542_pkw__pmt__product_204390560_slid_&gclid=CJmfvJrg9s8CFUtNfgodY-IBgQ

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