Akron Makerspace’s Ceramics Lab is one of the newer additions available to AMS members to explore. It celebrated its first year anniversary in January of 2023.
The lab has essentials for throwing and hand-building, and we continue to add more equipment for broader techniques. The area is mainly geared toward throwing, but slab building tools are making their way in.
AMS has three standard pottery wheels and one wheelchair accessible one. The wheel rotation directions can be switched to accommodate left and right-handed makers.
We have all of the tools you’ll need to complete a ceramics project from start to finish: wheels, bats, a wedging table, hand tools, sponges, a kiln, storage shelving, glazes, clay, etc.
If you’re experienced with ceramics and are a member of AMS, feel free to bring in your own tools, clay, and glazes. An individual locker is included with an AMS membership for members to keep their personal supplies if necessary.
A quick Ceramics Lab 101 meeting is required for anyone who wants to work in the Lab. It will be a general tour outlining the rules of the Lab, its organization, safety, where things belong in the Lab, and AMS expected cleaning practices. Use the orange button below to let us know you need an orientation and we’ll set one up with you. It is free of charge and you can get started in the Lab right after.
Click the button below to let us know if you want to have a lesson in the Ceramics Lab, or if you need an orientation to the Lab. The form gets sent to the Lab Maintainer – Chloe W. – who will get back to you to put something on the calendar once she receives your form.
***Note: There is a waiting list for ceramics classes. Chloe teaches two per week and is getting through the list as best she can. Please be patient for a response.
Ceramics Lab FAQ
Q: What clay does AMS keep in stock?
We currently keep Standard 182 White Stoneware Clay in stock. It fires to a cream color at cone 6 and shrinks around 11% in the kiln.
There is a digital scale in the Lab for members to weigh the clay they are using. Use the links below to pay for your clay by the pound.
Q: When does AMS run the kiln?
Members must be trained to run the kiln. This happens either once a full load of a certain cone is ready, or if a member wants to have their pieces finished by a certain time. Check out the Ceramics Lab Discord channel to get the latest on the kiln schedule and training.
One firing is $10. The price can be split between members who share a kiln load.
Q: Where can I dump my clay/work water?
ONLY use the sink in the Ceramics Lab for your clay. There is a clay trap on the sink that prevents clay from going into the pipes.
Q: What tools can I use in the Ceramics Lab?
Any tools left out in the Lab will be considered open for public use and can be used by any member.
If you bring in your own tools/glazes/clay, please keep it in your locker when you’re not working with them. If something doesn’t fit in your locker, make sure to very visibly label it so others do not use it.
Ceramics Lab Rules
- When you leave your station it should look like no one was ever there. No one wants to start a session at a dirty station. It takes longer than you may think to clean up after a throwing session- allow yourself around 10-15 minutes.
- If you are using a dark clay, please make extra sure it is not left on any tools, wheelheads, splash pans, or sponges. White clay is our most popular and is used for classes. It is stained when darker clay is left on anything. It can also affect the firing process for the white clay. Please don’t leave any dark clay on Ceramics Lab surfaces.
- Please do not touch other member’s projects or labeled tools in the Lab.
- Please label your own tools and pieces.
AMS membership dues helps us cover the cost of rent and keeping the lights on. Any consumables you use in the Ceramics Lab are things that your monthly dues do not cover.
If you use AMS stocked clay or glaze please make sure you cover what you use. This helps us be able to provide a great supply of clay and glaze choices for your pieces.
Its easiest for AMS members pay for these things in bulk a few times per year. Paying for 10-15 pounds of clay, 10 hours of wheel usage, and a few kiln runs at a time saves you time, and saves AMS from paying multiple micro transaction fees. Just keep a gauge on how much you’ve used and re-up when you know its time.
The Ceramics Lab is in need of more electric pottery wheels...
If you know of anyone who is selling theirs for a fair price, please let the AMS board know. We would love to be able to teach classes to more than one student at a time!