One day, i would love to have my own studio space. I can picture it in my mind: a short stroll from my front door, in a beautifully converted garage (insulated, of course) with outside space and bifold doors. A mid-century inspired, practical interior with large windows to let the sun flood in and soft, hung lighting for when the rain pours. Plants everywhere, music playing, a coffee machine in the corner with reclaimed shelving full of my creations and a cosy bed for my dog to nap. I'd have a station for each stage of the process, carefully positioned based on where the light and warmth travels throughout the day.
Dreamy, right? I'm sure every potter who is starting out dreams of this. But that's not to say i dislike sharing a studio space. In fact, the opposite. When starting out, i I believe a shared studio space is the best place to be.
What is a shared studio space?
A shared pottery studio is a space where multiple artists come together to work on their creations. Rather than each potter having their own private studio, they share the space, equipment, and resources available.
Typically, a shared pottery studio includes a variety of amenities necessary for pottery making, such as:
- Pottery Wheels
- Kilns: both bisque and glaze
- Work Tables and Surfaces
- Tools and Equipment: hand building tools, glazing tools and buckets for water and cleaning
- Clay and Glazes: you usually have to purchase your own clay from the studio, as well as bespoke glazes
- Storage: There should be space to store works in progress, clay, and personal tools
Shared pottery studios can be structured in various ways. I am a member of a studio that operates on a membership basis, where individuals pay a monthly fee for access to the studio and its resources. Other studios may offer hourly rates or class packages for those interested in occasional use or instruction.
How much does it cost i hear you ask? Well, that depends on the studio. At the studio i am a member of, it works on a monthly basis. The more months you buy at a time (12 months total), the cheaper the cost. I also have to pay to fire my work, and for any materials they do not supply. This is why the cost of pottery can vary. It's not only the time to make the piece, but also the material costs involved. Of which there can be many.
The dynamics of a shared pottery studio involve communal use of resources and a shared responsibility for maintaining the space. Members are expected to clean up after themselves, follow studio rules and etiquette, and respect the needs and schedules of others.
In addition to providing access to equipment and resources, shared pottery studios have a sense of community among members. Artists have the opportunity to interact, share techniques, offer feedback, and collaborate on projects.
You will likely have needed to complete a beginners course, ideally at the studio you want to become a member of, before joining. But shared studios have a wide range of skills from beginner to advanced.
But, what's it actually like?
Having been a member of a shared studio space for just under a year, there is a charm in being surrounded by like-minded potters who are just as passionate about pottery as you are. As a beginner, you also learn a lot about how a studio should be set up and pick up on tricks and tips just by seeing more experienced potters work.
Let's be real though. It's also a BIG cost saver. If you go regularly enough. Do you know how much throwing wheels and kilns actually cost? It can be a lot. And that's only the bare minimum of what you will need to set up your own studio space to the spec of a shared one. Don't get me wrong, i follow a lot of potters on social media who have set up great at home spaces with little equipment. But you will need to have access to a kiln in order to complete your work, which not every household is easily set up for.
But, sharing a studio does mean sharing space, equipment, and resources. There's a level of mutual respect and cooperation needed among members to ensure that everyone has access to what they need. Sometimes it means waiting patiently for your turn at the wheel or cleaning up after someone else's mess – not exactly glamorous, but all part of the process.
Then there's the studio etiquette i mentioned – a code of conduct that governs everything from cleaning up after yourself to respecting other people's workspaces. You are given an induction process, which usually covers the following:
Clean up after yourself (i feel like I've mentioned this a lot), don't take communal tools home or leave them on your shelves for no one to find. You must be mindful of allowing space for others. Remove your work from the kiln shelves promptly. Don't break the kiln shelves with glazed bottoms. And DO NOT handle another persons work when it's out of the kiln. Accidental breakages are a thing, and you don't want that on your conscious. You are also taught how to use some of the equipment safely, that you might not have been shown on your course.
What do you need before you join?
You will need to have your own basic tools, as well as purchase clay and any glazes that aren't provided (you may need to check with the studio before putting any foreign glazes into the kiln). I actually forgot to purchase my own throwing tools before heading to the studio for my first unsupervised throw. I didn't realise until i actually had to get my pot off the wheel.. impossible without a wire at the very least. Luckily, a friendly potter let me borrow her tools so that i could remove my pot and continue throwing. That's the perk of having a community for you, always a helpful hand.
They also provide shared tools and materials (such as moulds, heat guns, slips) which is great for experimenting, but also frustrating if they are in use when you need them.
Anything i need to watch out for?
The Christmas rush. I had a strong dislike for the studio in the lead up to Christmas. As you can imagine, this is one of the busiest times of year for potters and the kilns are packed. There is often a wait time for your pieces and shortage of materials, so you have to get in early.
I also found as a beginner not having access to my own space slowed me down. All i wanted to do was practice, all the time. Between my full time job and life commitments, i struggled to get to the studio more than twice a week. And still do. In rush hour it could take me upwards of 30 minutes to drive (I know, i know, that's not that bad). But when i'm tired and feeling uninspired, or heading to pick up a pot only to find it's not out of the kiln yet, it's frustrating.
What do you enjoy about a shared space?
Of course, there are frustrations and a bit of swearing across the studio floor when pieces don't go to plan. But therein lies the beauty of the studio community – there is no judgement and a mutual understanding for how wrong it can really go. It's where we learn and grow from our mistakes, turning setbacks into advice for others. It's a kind, respectful place and i love seeing so many beautiful pieces of work come out of the kiln. I sometimes roam up and down the shelves just to admire other peoples work.
It's a place where connections are forged, skills are honed, and artistic visions are realised. Even on days where I've been stuck in traffic and my pots fly off the wheel, I'm always grateful to be a member of a shared space.
So, if you find yourself in a shared pottery studio, embrace the messiness, the wait times, and the shared sense of purpose that comes with being part of a creative space. And follow the studio etiquette, please.