New Members

Applicants for membership are expected to have had some previous experience in ceramics. If you are interested but inexperienced in ceramics, we suggest you take a class to familiarize yourself with the tools and equipment. Remember, if you break it you pay for it, it pays to know what you are doing.

We maintain a waiting list of applicants from which to fill vacancies. Prior members who left in good standing have priority over those on the waiting list for space as it becomes available.

All Club Mud members must become members of Maude Kern Art Center. If you do not make arrangements on your own your membership will be billed to you by Club Mud.

An initial deposit of $100 is required to cover unexpected contingencies. This deposit will be refunded upon your leaving the co-op, providing that all your bills are paid, your key is returned, and you have given the co-op president 30 days notice of your intention to leave the co-op

A discount of $5.00 off the monthly rental fee is given if you are current with you bills and pay by the fifth day of each month

Indebtedness

When a member reaches the following level of indebtedness (approximately 2 months rent-firing members, $60.00; front room renters, $96.00; back room renters $156.00) they must:
1) Begin to pay for the firings in advance.
2) By the fifth of the following month give up their shelves if they have not cleared up their debt.
3) Make written arrangements to pay off their debt.
A member who is in arrears may become a firing member and thus still be able to do work while paying off their bill.

Firings are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. There are firing calendars on the wall on which you may sign up for your desired day and kiln. On the raku calendar you must also indicate the time of day you wish to fire, as the kiln is sometimes in high demand. You may not sign up for more than three firing at one time. If you want to do more than three, you need to have completed firings to continue.

Members may fire pieces for non-members and charge for this service. Remember that members have priority for kiln use and that at times the kilns are in high demand, so try to schedule firings for others at slower times. Raku is generally not offered to non-members. Remember that if you break it, you pay, so it wise to charge a non-member a firing deposit, especially if they are uncertain of the working temperature of their clay or glazes.

Electric kiln use is scheduled from noon to noon on the calendar. Sign up on the day you intend to load your kiln and begin firing. Make every effort to be out by noon on the following day. If your firing takes more than one day, sign up for the days you expect to be using the kiln. Normal wear and tear on the equipment is paid by the co-op, but damage due to your failure to fire in a responsible manner must be paid for by you. If you decide not to use a kiln on the day you have signed up, please erase your name from the calendar 24 hours beforehand.
Please return all kiln furniture and other equipment to the appropriate location after use. Kiln lids must be reattached if removed, and left closed.

Materials

Members are responsible for the purchase, storage, and recycling of their own clay. Glaze materials are available from Club Mud for you purchase. Record the materials you have used, to the nearest gram, on the sheet provided in the glaze room and you will be charges at the end of the month with your other fees.

You are also responsible for reading the gas meter before and after glaze firings and recording the number of units used on the log.

Cleaning

The basic rule of cleaning is to leave the space cleaner than you found it. There is a group clean every couple of months where we tackle some major chores.

Cleaning "how-to's:"

• Tables are to be cleaned after each use. Use a scraper and sponge rather than a brush, to reduce   dust. Do not use the tables as your storage area for work in progress. There are tables specified for   red or white clay; please respect there distinctions.
• Always wipe the clay from the faucet and handles. Do not leave objects in the sink.
• Be aware of clay and glaze you have dropped onto the floor and clean it up before you leave. This   goes for around the wheels as well as the tables.
• The garbage cans get emptied into our dumpster every Wednesday. If they need emptying before   that, or if you have heavy trash to dispose of, the dumpster key hangs on the bulleting board next to   the material room.
• In the glaze room, wipe down the counter and table areas you have used. Wipe the scale and other   tools you may have used to mix glaze. Again, do not leave clutter in the sink.
• Make sure to clean the glazing area when preparing for and firing a glaze kiln. Failure to   do so may result in a $20 fine.
• The racks in the kiln room are not for long term storage. Nothing should be left on them over two   weeks.
• Keep a bucket for your own clay scraps in your own space.
• In the raku yard there should be a bucket of water available at all times. Replace the "buttons" that   fall of the raku kiln. Rake the reductions area to clean up debris when you are done firing.
• Dismantle and clean the slop trays on the wheels when you are done throwing. Sponge of the   wheel and clean the surrounding floor.
• Any community tool or equipment not specifically mentioned should be cleaned after use and   returned.
• There are canvasses under the slab roller marked for white or colored clays. Always use protective   canvasses with the roller. Wipe off any clay that gets on the handles or rollers.
• When you leave, be sure that the heather is turned off, the lights are off and the water is not   dripping. Lock the door and check that the other doors are locked as well. Remember, we each are   custodians for the studio.