Independent Studio Membership Application

Independent Studio access is built on trust. Because this is a shared community studio, we must be able to trust every member to follow the rules, respect staff-only areas, pay for all materials before taking them, and do the right thing even when staff are not present. Failure to honor that trust may result in loss of studio privileges and could jeopardize Independent Studio access for everyone.

If you are not currently a member of MWCA, please join HERE before completing this form.

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Independent Studio Membership is available to approved MWCA members who are adult potters and are ready to work safely, respectfully, and independently in a shared community studio. This is not a class and does not include instruction.

Completion of this form does not guarantee approval. MWCA may approve, deny, pause, or revoke access at any time for safety, studio capacity, policy concerns, unpaid fees, or misuse of the space. There is no fee to apply.

This is approved independent access, not open studio. We are trialing this updated system during July and August.

Summary
Independent Studio Membership is available to:

Adult MWCA members only
Potters approved for independent studio use
Members who have completed orientation before their first visit

Fee: $12 per studio visit or you may purchase a FIVE visit pass for $50.

During regular MWCA hours, you must always check in and check out at the front desk on the gallery level. You must either present your card to be punched or pay the $12 fee. No exceptions. You may load and unload through the back door once you've checked in. Check out at the front desk when you leave.
For approved after-hours studio times, please sign in and out in the pottery studio. LydiaKay can take your payment (or punch your card). If you do not pay at the time of the visit, you will be invoiced for your visit, and payment is due immediately upon receipt.

Independent Studio Members must:

Sign in and sign out every visit
Pay (or punch out) for each visit
Use only approved clay and studio materials
Clean their own work area and any shared areas used
Follow all studio procedures
Respect the shared studio space and other members

Independent Studio access is a privilege. MWCA may suspend or revoke access at any time for safety concerns, repeated cleanup issues, misuse of materials, unpaid fees, damage, or failure to follow studio procedures.

Name

First NameLast Name

Email

example@example.com

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Ok to text?

I confirm that I am a current MWCA member. Current MWCA membership is required to participate in Independent Studio. If you are not yet a member, please join MWCA before submitting this application.

Are you 18 or older? Independent Studio Membership is available to adults only.

Describe your prior pottery experience (check all that apply)

I consider myself to be

Do you need instruction or frequent assistance to complete your work? Independent Studio Membership is for potters who can work independently.

Have you previously been a Independent Studio Member and already had an orientation with Lydia Kay?

Studio Policies
Please read and acknowledge each item.

I understand that Independent Studio Membership is not a class and does not include instruction.

I understand that I may only use the studio during approved Independent Studio hours, and only when no pottery classes, workshops, camps, or MWCA programs are taking place. I understand that it is my responsibility to check the MWCA website and current studio schedule before each visit to confirm that the studio is available.

I understand that orientation is required before my first visit.

I understand that I must sign in and sign out each time I use the studio.

I understand that I may not bring guests, children, or visitors into the pottery studio.

I understand that there is no kiln access for Independent Studio Members. All firing must be handled by MWCA staff or approved pottery studio personnel.

I understand that I may only use clay purchased from MWCA.

I understand that I may not enter staff-only areas, including the kiln room and storage areas, or remove clay on my own. All clay must be paid for in advance. I must present my receipt to the Pottery Studio Manager or another MWCA staff member, who will retrieve the clay for me.There are no exceptions to this policy.

I understand that I may not use outside glaze unless it has been specifically approved by MWCA and have been trained in how to use specialty glazes.

I understand that I am responsible for cleaning my own workspace and any shared areas, tools, equipment, wheels, bats, tables, sinks, buckets, and floors that I use. I will leave the pottery studio CLEANER than I found it.

I understand that cleanup is part of my studio time and I should plan for at least 20–30 minutes of cleanup before leaving.

I understand that repeated cleanup issues, unsafe use of equipment, disrespectful (critical or unkind) behavior, unpaid fees, damage, or failure to follow studio policies may result in loss of access.

I understand that I may not touch, move, handle, alter, critique, instruct, correct, or offer unsolicited advice about another potter’s work. I will respect each person’s space, process, and work-in-progress.

I understand that MWCA may suspend or revoke Independent Studio Membership at any time.

I understand that Independent Studio Membership is a privilege, not a guaranteed membership benefit, and is based on safety, readiness, and respect for shared studio use.

All Independent Studio policies apply to every member at all times. These rules are in place for safety, accountability, and the protection of our shared studio. No exceptions will be made.

Agreement
By submitting this application, I confirm that the information I provided is accurate and that I have read and agree to follow MWCA’s Independent Studio Membership expectations and studio policies.

Signature

Date