FAQ
General
I’d like to schedule a field trip/workshop/event/tour, who do I contact?
For private clay parties, private lessons and field trips contact the Front Desk either by calling (914) 937-2047 x223 or emailing mail@clayartcenter.org.
We currently offer guided tours of our Exhibitions and Studios on Wedesdays at 11:30am. For further information on the tours please visit: Exhibition and Studio Tours or call (914) 937 - 2047 x223.
Where do I park when I come to visit or take class?
The parking lot is a municipal lot monitored by the Village of Port Chester. The spots in the middle and to the right of the gallery door (against the fence) have three hour limits. Other spots on the perimeter of the lot are for decal parking only - you will be ticketed if you park in a decal spot and do not have a decal in your car. Other options are to park on Beech Street (please read signs for alternate side street parking) or at Petco (1 1/2 blocks away). If you require handicapped parking, you can ask staff for permission to park in our driveway.
Do you handle ceramic repairs?
We do not. However, we’d be happy to direct you to people that do! www.TKLibby.com
I have a piece I need fired and I’m not a student, can I bring it to you?
We do not currently have a drop-off firing service for outside artists.
I’m looking for an activity for my friends/date/children. Can we come in and work with clay?
Yes, we have classes and times set aside just for you. Take a look at our in-person classes. We currently do not take students who drop-in without prior registration.
Education
How old do children have to be to work with clay?
Children must be at least 6 to do handbuilding (depending on class), and 10 years or over to work on the potter’s wheel.
Do you have pre-k programs? Or programs for home schooled or students enrolled in online school?
We do not offer classes for students younger than 6 years old, but we’re happy to arrange private lessons. Email mail@clayartcenter.org.
I’m currently enrolled in a class, when is open studio?
Open Studio is an optional and free service that is offered by Clay Art Center for students to come outside of their scheduled class to work on their projects. You can learn more about open studio by emailing mail@clayartcenter.org.
I don’t want to be a student but am not yet ready to be a CAC artist. Is there a section at CAC for me?
Yes, our Independent Study classroom is a space for those who would like to work without instruction, but not ready to apply to be a CAC Artist yet. With their monthly fee, Independent Study students get a shelf, access during operating hours/night classes, and a small shared classroom with other independent study students.
I’d really prefer to just come in and work on my own. Can I do open studio?
Open studio is offered only to students currently enrolled in an adult level class. We do however offer a number of classes designed for every level of experience, from beginners to advanced, as well as private lessons for people who need more flexible schedules. For those with experience or students who have already taken classes with us we also offer Independent Study. If you are a ceramic artist looking for a private or group studio space, find out how to become a CAC Artist.
I’m interested in taking classes, but my schedule means I will have to miss some of the dates. Can I make them up somehow?
We can not offer make-up classes. View our class policies.
If I know I’m going to miss a lot of class sessions, can I prorate the class price?
We can not offer pro-rated prices. View our class policies.
Do you have scholarships for adults?
Email mail@clayartcenter.org
When and where can I pick up the artwork I made in Saturday Clay, Family Wheel Night, and Maker Night?
We will email you when your item is ready for pick-up. Firing ceramic work can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Please email mail@clayartcenter.org if you have any questions.
Firing
What do I do if I can’t find a piece of work that I made? or What happens if my clay piece breaks in the kiln?
There is a lot of student work to look through, and more often than not your piece is either still in the kiln or behind other pots. We write the number of the month on every glaze piece to organize it based on time it came out of the kiln. Work over 3 months old is discarded. If you cannot find your piece you should notify your teacher first, and then they will notify a staff member if it still cannot be found. We recommend that you take pictures of all the pieces that you make, or use a pottery app (like “Pottery Notes”) to help you keep track of your work. Pots transform so much in a glaze firing that it may sometimes be hard to recognize as yours.
If a clay piece breaks due to unforeseen causes (kiln malfunction, secondhand mishandling, etc.) CAC will refund you for the price of firing. CAC does not reimburse students for work that did not come out as expected, due to glazing or other issues.
My work did not come out of the firing as expected, can I get a credit?
While CAC makes every effort to handle student work with the utmost care, we cannot guarantee perfect results. Works might crack or break during the firing or glazing process and glazes can have unpredictable results. Our classes are geared towards a creative “making” experience rather than an end product. No refund of firing-fees will be issued.
When do the kilns get loaded/unloaded?
We generally like to have a set schedule for bisquing student work, however sometimes there will be fluctuations. Our Artists-in-Residents load student work into bisque and cone 6 kilns on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, as long as there is enough work to fill the kiln. Firing schedules listing when the next firing will be loaded/unloaded are posted in the kiln rooms. Our studio manager fires cone 10 student work and will only fire a kiln when there is enough work to fill the whole space. Work that was put on the shelves for firing does not all make it into the same load for firing.