Frequently Asked Questions
I want to use the studio. Where do I start?
We recommend starting by enrolling in one of our classes. Since there is high interest from the community, they can fill up very quickly, so it may take a quarter or two to get into a class.
When can I sign up for classes?
The same day that Stanford courses open for course enrollment for the corresponding quarter. The sign-up link will be posted on our home page a week in advance. Please check the Stanford academic calendar for these dates.
Are classes for credit?
Classes are not part of the Stanford registration system and are not for credit.
It's my last quarter at Stanford/I really want to take ceramics but I'm on the waitlist. Is there any way I can be added to a class?
Unfortunately, we're often extremely oversubscribed. Out of fairness, we cannot make any exceptions to who gets offered a spot in a class.
I want to use the studio for a one-off/short-term art project. Can I do that?
Unfortunately, we don't offer one-time access to the general community. If you're a current member or a ceramics class student, go right ahead!
Can I host an event for my lab/group at the ceramics studio?
Ceramics takes time and our studio is entirely volunteer run. We want to prioritize access to our students and members, so unfortunately we do not offer event hosting at this time.
Who can be a studio member? Who can enroll in the classes?
Current undergraduate and graduate Stanford students are eligible to be studio members. Classes are open to all Stanford affiliates.
Where can I sign up to be a member?
You can get on our membership waitlist at any time by discussing it with your class instructor. It may be some amount of time before you are offered membership, as the waitlist is very long.
I'm a Stanford affiliate. Can I be involved with the studio?
Yes! In two ways:
- You can sign up for a class!
- You can also keep an eye on this website to see if 'studio helpers' are needed. Helpers are Stanford affiliates who are involved in the studio at a level comparable to that of our studio members and managers. On occasion, we are also in need of studio instructors.
Where does the studio get its clay?
We order clay at a bulk discount from Clay Planet and offer a variety of Clay Planet and Laguna clays to our members and students. The prices of the clays we have for sale in the studio are rounded up or down to the nearest dollar. As a student or member, you must buy your clay from the studio.
What chemicals are in the glaze? What are the safety concerns associated with being in the studio?
The biggest concern is controlling clay dust, which contains silica. There are trace amounts of transition metals in most of the colored glazes, which are usually trapped once the piece is fired. Please email concerns to ceramics-managers@list.stanford.edu and a manager will respond promptly with more detailed and specific answers.
The wait is awfully long. Where else can I learn ceramics?
There are a variety of wonderful ceramics spaces in the Bay Area, many of them geared towards beginning instruction.
Here are a few:
Higher Fire Ceramics Studio in San Jose
South Bay Ceramics
Foothill College Ceramics Program in Los Altos Hills
De Anza College in Cupertino
Palo Alto Art Center
Have more questions?
Carefully read all the faqs and other information and if you still have questions, email ceramics-managers@list.stanford.edu and a manager will get back to you shortly.