Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where do I purchase supplies for the class?
A: Supplies are available at our Store. A list of suppliers will be provided upon request.
Q: What supplies are needed for my first class?
A: For most adult ceramic, especially beginning and teen potter’s wheel classes, the following supplies would be needed for the fist day of class:
· 25 lbs. Cone 10 Stoneware clay ( examples – B-mix, Rods Bod, soldate 60, Amador, Sonoran White, B-mix with sand).
· Pottery Tool Kit-PTK, usually has pin tool, sponge, wooden knife, wire cutter, metal and wood ribs, loop trimming tools.
· Plastic bucket (one –two gallon size)
· Large clean-up sponge
· 5” 7” or larger sketch book
· Glazing brush (described in first class)
· Optional- apron· Approximate cost of supplies- $30-$50.
For Kids Ceramic classes (except teen potter’s wheel) all supplies including clay are supplied.
Q: I have never done pottery/ceramics before. What class do I take?
A: Discover clay or another beginning clay class is required before taking any advanced class. These classes are organized for the first time student and are often great refreshers if you haven’t been working in clay for a few years.
Q: I am an advanced student how do I get into the class I want?
A: The first time you register for a class as an advanced ceramics student you must contact the instructor first to make sure the class is suited for your level of skill. Please click here for listing of instructors.
Q: Is there a limit on how many pieces I can make?
A: No. But please be aware that you can only glaze and fire pieces made in our studio. In consideration of other students (and our studio guidelines) please do not bring in work made at home or at other pottery studios. As our classes grow we may need to impose limits on the number of pieces that can be fired for each student.
Q: I am an advanced student and have a friend that is a beginner can we come to the advanced classes?
A: We have found that what works best is for you both to sign up for the beginning class and you can work on projects independently of the beginners and your friend can learn at their own pace with other beginners.
Q: What temperature do you fire to?
A: We offer over 20 different classes from soda to raku. If depends on what advanced class you are in. We fire up to cone 10 (2381 F.)
Q: Can I bring my own clay or do I need to buy it from the MAC’s store?
A: We prefer if you could to buy it from the MAC store. We know for sure then that the clay is suited for your class and fires to the temperature needed. You can with instructors’ permission notify them of your clay and purchase if from local suppliers. Just let us know what cone it fires to! Some meltdowns have occurred and students must then clean the kiln shelves or replace them (some cost $150. each!).
Q: Is there parking nearby?
A: Yes, we have a large well- lit parking lot and structure adjacent to the new Mesa Arts Center. The Ceramics Studio is located on the south side of the complex in the Arts Studios building. There is an unloading zone near the classes to unload supplies and bring them in and then go park.
Q: How do I find you?
A: The Ceramics Studio is located on the south side of the complex in the Arts Studios building.
Q: Is it like the movie Ghost?
A: Of course! We are in negotiations right now with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore to join our staff!
Q: I’ve had work damaged at schools and art centers I’ve attended before. Who is going to load the kilns?
A: We are extremely sensitive to that. Our full-time Studio Assistant, Sam Hodges, takes great care to insure that work is loaded, fired and unloaded with no damage. Damage may still occur just from the firing and heat work that is happening to the pots. We will do our best to fire work and avoid problems that could be averted. This includes not firing anything until it is “bone dry,” not loading any glazed work that looks like it could drip or spatter glaze, and slow cooling of kilns.
Q: Can I bring my kids, Grandmother/father, or baby to class?
A: Because of liability we are not allowed to have any non-registered students participate.
Q: What do I wear?
A: Comfortable clothes that you are not worried about getting dirty. Clay and glaze can be especially hard on clothes. Glazes containing iron oxide can stain clothes, shoes.
Q: Do you use lead in glazes?
A: There is no lead in any of our glazes mixed in the studio. We also do not use Barium Carbonate or over 4 percent copper carbonate in any glazes for use in contact with food.
Q: Where can I sign up for classes?
A: You can sign-up on the web by clicking here. Or call
480-644-6501 for more information registration.
Q: I have quite a bit of pottery experience, are you hiring?
A: We have openings occasionally for instructors, assistants and volunteers. Please be aware that most staff have a degree of at least a bachelors’ level or higher and are exhibiting artists. Some of our instructors started as volunteers. For more information about volunteering contact out Volunteer Coordinator at 480-644-6501 If you’d like to see if there are any openings send an e-mail to: volunteers@mesaartscenter.com.
Q: Can I raku fire in any class I want?
A: Only classes that clearly say in the brochure that they raku actually fire that way. The way our classes are set-up is that if you want to soda fire or raku please sign-up for that specific class. (example: Thursday’s raku class with Larron Lerdall).
Q: Most classes are offered once per week, is that enough time to get my projects done?
A: We offer classes once a week to accommodate many students’ work schedules, but you are encouraged to add another class or sign-up for our open studio card. The open studio card enables you to come in during our open studios (link to classes, ceramics open studio). You must be registered in a full price class to buy an open studio card.
Q: What safety gear do I need?
A: Occasionally a student may want to spray or mix glazes. In that case you must wear a respirator rated for silica dust and mist. Check with your instructor before purchasing.
Q: Can you accommodate a production potter?
A: The Ceramics studio is not set-up to accommodate full-time production potters. We are set-up for art education and encourage development to attain to the highest level of ceramic abilities.
Q: I don’t speak English, can you accommodate me as a student?
A: We have a wonderful volunteer program to help with translation during class. Please ask 4-6 weeks before class begins to give us time to find an appropriate volunteer. For more information or to request assistance please contact our Registrar at 480-644-6501 or by e-mail at: registration@mesaartscenter.com.
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