Home / Studio / Open Studio

 

Open Studio

HOURS and Info

Open Studio

NEW SCHEDULING INFO BELOW - MUST READ!

Please read Open Studio descriptions below and schedule at the bottom of the page.

We are trying a new scheduling system for Open Studio, please email us at hello@friendassembly.com if you have any problems.

One Guided Open Studio session is mandatory in order to come to Open Studio Unless you have clay experience within the last year at a school or another studio, or have sufficient clay experience where you can independently do the following : pinch pot, slab, coil, slip & score, basic knowledge of glazing and tools.

ALL AGES WELCOME, but no kiddo drop offs. If you want a class for kiddo, please see our class/camp page or schedule a private lesson or party.

Guided Open Studio

$50 per person includes clay, glaze, firing and instruction

You are new to this whole clay thing, or it’s been awhile. Guided Open Studio is for you! You will learn 3 basic handbuilding techniques, get a little studio tour of where tools/glazes are, and have an instructor to demo steps and assist with your project. Choose from our binder of projects in the studio. Guided OS is also a great option if you have some clay experience but you’re trying out a new technique or advanced project idea.

Guided Open Studio - Mug Makin’

$65 per person includes 2 hours of instruction, clay, firing

Want to make your own cozy, custom mug during open studio? Join us for this 2-hour session with guidance on slab construction and handbuilding techniques to craft your ideal mug. This project is separate from Guided Open Studio as it requires more instructor support.

In this session, we’ll teach you satisfying carving techniques and show surface design options, like underglaze transfers—think temporary tattoos, but for pottery! This process-focused session does not include glazing, as your pieces will still be drying by the end.

After your mug is bisque fired, we'll dip glaze it for you in either our new house white or a clear glaze, included in the open studio fee. Alternatively, if you'd like to glaze your mug with full access of our glaze wall, you’re welcome to return for open studio after your mug has been bisque fired at the Independent Open Studio Rate of $20/hr.

Independent Open Studio

$20 per person per HOUR. Includes 1lb of clay and glaze. Firing is additional based on the size of your piece, typically between $3-$10.

You have completed Guided Open Studio and now you are ready to rock on your own!

Open Studio is an open setting where folks can come in to play with clay, experiment with a new idea, or work on an in-progress project. This is not a formal class and does not have an instructor or demonstrations. There will be a Studio Monitor available to answer questions, but this is an INDEPENDENT work session.

NEW! Paint Your Own Pottery!

$20/hr per person studio fee + price of the piece you choose

Studio Fee covers cost of glazing and firing.

(Prices of pottery range from $9-$26)

*A minimum studio fee of $15 will be charged. Even if your kiddo glazes something in 20 mins, we have to cover costs of firing and glaze.

For those of you wanting to get creative with clay, but keep your hands a bit cleaner! Come in and snag a piece from our pre-made pottery shelf (we obviously have the cutest pieces available - peaches, cactus dishes, sun planters…etc!). Next, choose a glaze or even underglaze transfers to complete your piece. Turn around time is 2-5 days as these pieces only require 1 firing! Great for visitors or folks looking for a quick artsy activity!

Walk-In’s Welcome :)

 

SUMMER HOURS 

By appointment only. No Drop-Ins (except for Painting Pottery ONLY). E-mail us at least 24 hours in advance at hello@friendassembly.com to confirm a time and day you’d like to come in.

Monday : 12-5

Tuesday: 1230-5

Wednesday : 1230-6, 6-9*

Thursday : 1230-530

Friday : 1230-5

Saturday : 1230-530 - 6-8*

Sunday : 1230-5

  • Indicate Evening Open Studio Hours

  • We are closed for lunch everyday from 1-130. We are closed from 5-530 on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Please call if you’re trying to reach us to pick up!

FAQ

  • $20/hr for Studio Time. This includes one 1lb.bag of clay, access to tools, and glaze.

    Additional clay is $5 per bag. Firing Fees are additional and depend on the size of your piece and how much space it will take up in the kiln. Average Firing fee is under $10.

  • Due to summer classes, open Studio is currently by appointment only so we can plan accordingly. E-mail us at least 24 hours in advance at hello@friendassembly.com to confirm a time and day you’d like to come in. We suggest planning on 1-2 hours of studio time to construct and glaze your piece.

  • Just dress to make a mess! :) We provide all clay, tools, and glazes.

  • Build a mug, a planter, or a creature out of clay! Possibilities are endless!

    Great for gift making and exploring your creative side!

    All finished projects will be clear glazed and food/dishwasher safe.

  • The Project Tags will stay with your project at all times to ensure the right piece goes home with the right artist in the end. Please clearly fill out: name, date, e-mail, and phone number. One tag for each project. Multiple projects, multiple tags.

    You get it.

  • Ah the wheel. So much fun, but with great power comes great responsibility…

    We require proficient wheel throwing experience OR one of our Wheel Throwing Class.

    Once you have that experience, you may use a wheel independently at Open Studio. No extra cost! :)

    Wheel Classes coming soon…

    Intro To Wheel - Adults/16+ - coming Dec. 1

    Take The Wheel For A Spin - 1 night wheel session - coming soon.

    Youngsters Class - coming soon.

  • Low beams, slippery surfaces, sharp tools, and hot kilns. Fun right?

    Pottery is mostly safe and super fun, but to ensure your safety and the safety of others in the studio, listen to the instructor at all times and be aware that you are in an active art space. You’ll be required to sign our Studio Contract (Waiver) when attending your first class.

    Rules and Studio Expectations will be outlined on the waiver.

  • Your project/clay can stay on the, “In Progress” shelf for 2 weeks from your initial Open Studio date. After that, you must take any remaining projects home with you, have us fire it, or we will recycle it.

    We do not have the space to store projects for more than 2 weeks.

    Clay must go home with you, unless you are currently enrolled in a class. There will be an area for your clay to be stored. When that class ends, you must take your clay home.

  • After you complete your project, it will need to be fired in the kiln either once or twice depending on the glaze you use. We will e-mail you within 10 days to come pick up your project. You will have 2 weeks to pick up your project, than it will be “taken to the farm.” lol.

  • We have two clay bodies available in the studio. Both are Mid-Range clays that we will fire to Cone 5 and 6.

    Laguna White B-Mix - fires to look bright white.

    Laguna Speckled Buff - fires to a pretty tan color with black speckles. Looks sorta like an oatmeal cookie.

  • There will be a number of underglazes and glazes for you to choose from.

    Some glazes are for specific classes but most can be used at Open Studio.

    There will be test tiles for you to see each color’s opacity painted 1-3 coats.

  • If you are 21+, you are allowed to bring adult beverages purchased from other Stanley Marketplace establishments into the studio. Said beverages must be in plastic to go cups from those establishments.

    You can get handcrafted cocktails from Create, a variety of beers from Aviation or Cheluna, or a delicious Margarita from Comida. Lots of options here, people!

    You CANNOT BYOB or open any outside alcohol in the studio.

    Different rules apply to Adult Events/Private Parties. Want to know more? Head to our Private Parties section.

  • You may only leave your child in the studio if they are in a class and we have all of your up to date contact info.

    An adult must accompany any child under 16 to Open Studio.

  • Any age kiddo can come to Open Studio with an adult. Baby hand/foot prints in clay are pretty adorable, so even a baby can come! Parents/guardians are responsible for the safety and behavior of their kiddos in the studio & shop.

    Students must be 5 years + to take any of our classes.

  • Yes. It is REQUIRED if you ever want to touch clay ;)

  • As long as you glaze (seal) the inside and outside, yes!

  • Pottery is a very fragile art form. Sometimes sad things happen.

    Pots can break for a few reasons, but the main one is a structural issue. We will make sure your work is not too thick (explodes in the kiln) or too thin (cracks and breaks). We will also teach you to get rid of air bubbles.

    But! If you do have an unfortunate situation, we will help you repair or replace the project.

  • Firing Fees depend on the size of the piece(s) you make. Most fees are under $10 per piece, but we will have a kiln shelf diagram to show you how much space your project will take up.

    Firing fees include both a bisque and glaze fire, unless otherwise specified.

  • Only completed pieces meeting the studio criteria for firing will be fired. Don’t worry, we will help you with all of this…

    -Hollowed out, walls less than 1” thick (No explosions!)

    -Piece needs to be bigger than 3x3 inches in order to be stilted. We cannot not fire beads.

    -Bottoms of pieces wiped clean - no glaze pools!

  • We ask that you leave your space how you found it.

    -Project on either the, “In Progress” or “Ready to Fire” shelves…(with Project Tracker Tag!),

    -Tools, palettes, brushes all in the sink.

    -Sponge clean your area.

    -Take remaining clay with you. Clay cannot be stored at the studio unless you are currently enrolled in a class.

  • Refunds/cancellations : A full refund will be given if a course is canceled ONE week or more prior to start date. A 50% refund will be given if a course is canceled 48 hours or more prior to start date. NO refund will be given if class is canceled in under 48 hours before class start date.

    No Shows : If we do not receive a call or e-mail at least 24 hours before your class, you will be charged the full amount.

    Pay What You Wish Class No Shows - Your credit card will be charged $30. Even though this is a pay what you wish class, taking the spot and not coming/contacting us, takes the spot from someone else. Call or email within 24 hours to cancel.

    Classes CAN be tranferred to a friend! Please e-mail us hello@friendassembly with the name of the student taking your spot.

    No refunds after attending the first class.

  • Make-up classes can be scheduled with instructor based on availability of wheels/tools. Typically student can just join another session during the week.

    Glazing can be done at Open Studio.