Thursday, December 17, 2009

The RAL Pottery Studio Grows

Hello Friends of the RAL Pottery Studio,

We thought you would want to know about events taking place at the RAL Pottery Studio. The RAL has expanded RAL members’ access to the studio to Tues. and Thurs. from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After Jan. 1, 2010, the fee for Open Studio hours will depend on the amount of time you use the studio. The fee will be $2.00 per hour (or any portion of the hour) with a maximum fee of $10.00 per day. Also, the fee for clay, glazing and firing will remain the same as in the past ($25 for 25 lbs. of clay, which includes the glazing and two firings). An “a la carte menu” will be provided for those members who wish purchase clay for use in their home studios, or want to use glazes or the firing facilities of the studio. The clay is available for $15.00 per 25 lb. bag. Glazing and firing in the studio will be determined by the cubic inch volume of the pieces to be glazed or fired. The cost for glazing only will be $.03 per cubic inch. The cost for the combined two firings will be $.03 per cubic inch.

We are also implementing a new plan for managing the studio, which we think will improve the experience of studio users and make our work there more productive. Included in the plan is purchasing more equipment, expanding the physical space of the studio and providing more structure for its use in terms of monitoring and maintaining the studio. Volunteer studio monitors will be available to assist you in the various ways you can use the facilities and facilitate fee payments and studio maintenance.

As mentioned, the plan will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2010 in conjunction with the beginning of the Art League’s 2010 schedule of classes. It is directed toward making the studio a place where you can explore the possibilities in clay work, improve your skills and enjoy the company of others with similar interests. In addition, it is the intent of the Art League to provide you with a well-run facility to pursue your goals. To implement the plan we are asking all members to review the Studio guidelines (available in the studio), register their agreement by signing the Studio Users Form on their first visit after the Jan. 1 start up, and provide to their monitor or instructor.

We have also started a blog to communicate with RAL Pottery Studio users. Check the following site to see various messages regarding ongoing Studio events and activities.

http://ralpotterystudio.blogspot.com/

We also have a calendar online to inform you of pottery classes and studio events at:

http://www.google.com/calendar/render?gsessionid=t_trlvuonVgMt6vEVmJRUg

You may want to bookmark this site to refer back to the calendar in the future. If you have any problems accessing either of these resources, contact Wes at wesnerstack@comcast.net.

Happy Holidays and hope to see you in the studio.