Annual Guild Memberships
The Deep River Potters’ Guild requires an annual membership to access the studio, equipment and various learning opportunities to continue developing hand building and throwing skills. The Guild is a place where we encourage continuous development of our members and their families. Single Adult Membership and Family Memberships are available for annual renewal.
Last Updated July 17, 2024
Membership Options
All beginner potters are required to take the Introduction to Pottery lessons, at a cost of $120 per person, paid in addition to your membership fee in your first year.
We welcome beginner potters through two intake periods each year: September and January. New members must commit to our 9-week Introduction to Pottery series, designed to prepare beginners to work independently in our studio.
Each cohort meets once a week for a 2-hour session. Space is limited and scheduled based on the availability of our volunteer instructors.
Please note: Due to high demand and limited capacity, class spots are prioritized based on our current waitlist. We appreciate your interest and invite you to check back for future opportunities.
We welcome experienced potters to join the guild throughout the year. If you have prior pottery experience, please email the guild with the subject line “Experienced Potter Interested” and include a brief summary of your background in the comments section. Please include a few images of past work.
The Board reviews all submissions and may grant exemptions from the Introduction to Pottery series for those who demonstrate sufficient experience or expertise.
We appreciate your interest and look forward to learning more about your journey with clay.
Introduction to Pottery
Lesson Series
(9 Weeks of Classes)
*New members are required to purchase this lessons series in their first semester, in addition to an adult membership or a family membership and an initial supplies charge of $20.
$120*
One Year
Adult Membership
Must be 18 years and older.
$200
PER PERSON
One Year
Family Membership
2 Adults and any number of children,
living in the same residence.
$240
PER HOUSEHOLD
Annual Memberships Include:
24/7 Studio Access
When classes are not is session, members may use the studio 24/7. The studio is fully equipped with tools, slump molds, equipment (electric wheels, kick wheels, 2 electric kilns, 1 gas kiln, slab roller, large damp box and glaze spray box) and a large selection of cone 6 and 10 glazes.
Small Storage Space
The guild is small, but small storage spaces are available for leaving clay at the guild. Textile and aprons are not permitted to be stored at the guild.
Skills Clinics & Throwing Camps
Upon completion of the 9 week Introduction to Pottery classes, members are encouraged to register for free skills clinics and throwing camps offered by our volunteer mentors and instructors. These opportunities support community learning and skills development.
Participation in Sales Events
Interested members may choose to sell their pottery at Guild sales events. Members are asked to volunteer time to staff the event and contribute a small commission.
Community Collective
Join like minded creatives in social events planned by the Creative Directions Committee. The Guild schedules Coffee Breaks, lectures, potluck events and an annual road trip to visit other studios and galleries in the region. Our newsletter is also published quarterly.
Regular Kiln Firings
The guild operates two electric kilns and a gas kiln. Electric kiln bisque and glaze firings run weekly depending on load volume. Gas kiln firings are less frequent, but are scheduled based on need. Seasonal raku kiln firing events are typically scheduled in the spring and fall.
The Intro to Pottery lessons is only required for your first year at the guild, and they are a substantially lower price than other guilds or pottery businesses. These lessons cover the basics of pottery and the safe use of the equipment and glazes. We want you to have the most rewarding experience possible at the guild.
Member Responsibilities
• Respect the objectives and the rules of the DRPG.
• Leave no trace and clean up your workspace after each and every visit.
• Contribute to the collaborative culture of the guild; volunteer, share and teach when you can.
• Practice responsible and honest record keeping of all fees.
• Attend the Annual AGM in June.
Additional Costs Involved:
*Initial Supplies Deposit (Year 1 Only)
New Members will be required to pay a $20 supplies deposit, which will be applied directly to their account as a credit towards their first purchases.
Intro to Pottery Classes (Year 1 Only)
Beginner potters must complete a 9 week Introduction to Pottery lessons to prepare new members to work independently in the studio. The learning objectives for the 9 week series is to introduce new potters to studio etiquette, health and safety rules, and to familiarize you with studio equipment (like the slab roller and wheel). You will spend time hand building, take a few spins on the wheel and learn how to trim and glaze your work. Lessons are held once a week for approximately 2 hours. It’s important to attend all of the lessons and students should expect to drop into the guild throughout the week to attend to the progress of their projects and practice their newly acquired skills.
Our ability to offer orientations sessions is limited by the availability of our volunteer instructors. Our class size is limited to 6 students and an instructor. We schedule a day time series and an evening series starting in September and again in January. We understand your excitement to join and appreciate your patience as we onboard new potters to the guild from the waitlist.
Clay Purchases
The guild currently offers two types of clay, each sold at our cost, which is currently around $28.00 per 10 Kg (22 pound) sleeve. Clay prices will change with the market costs and are posted at the top of the purchase tracking sheet in the clay binders.
Firing Fees
Firing fees are according to weight. The firing fee is charged once per pot, at the bisque firing stage. This all inclusive fee includes the cost of bisque firing, glazes and glaze firing and any re-firing that may be necessary. The current firing fee is $2.50 per pound for greenware.
Workshops
The Guild often offers a workshop that focuses on the creation and completion of a specific project from start to finish. Workshop fees help cover the costs of hosting the workshop.
Sales Fees
To help support the Guild’s ongoing operations, artists are kindly asked to contribute 5% of any personal pottery sales, outside of Guild-organized events.
For Guild-organized sales, a 10% commission will be retained by the Guild from each artist’s total sales. We thank you for your support in helping us sustain our shared creative space.
What do I need to get started?
The Guild is equipped with various pottery tools for member use. You may choose to purchase additional resources for yourself on your journey, too.
To get started at the guild we do recommend:
A towel for hands and messy clean up
An apron, bib, or any clothing you don’t mind getting muddy
A small plastic storage bin for keeping your clay and tools at The Guild
