Open Studio is designed for participants who are comfortable working independently in a ceramics studio.

Non-beginners should be able to:

• Center clay and work independently on the wheel or through hand-building

• Follow studio safety and cleanup protocols

• Understand basic firing and glazing processes

Participants who are not yet comfortable with these skills are required to complete a Beginner Orientation + Mentorship before accessing Open Studio (see info below).

1-Day Pass: $100
Ideal for focused studio time. For those new to glazing, staff will glaze work on your behalf using a selection of 4–5 standard glaze options. Finished work will be available for pickup in two-weeks.

10-Day Pass: $750
May be used across both sessions and includes designated shelf space. Participants will receive a studio calendar outlining key timelines for wet work, glazing, and firing to support successful completion.

All passes include 5 pounds of reclaim clay, glaze, and firing. Additional clay is available for purchase.

Select Saturdays include an optional demonstration (3:00–6:00 p.m. ET):

• June 20: Wheel Throwing

• July 18: Pottery Painting

Pottery painting participants may glaze up to two pre-made vessels.

All pass holders are required to complete a brief 15-minute studio orientation at the start of their first session. This includes a tour of the space, review of studio protocols, and distribution of materials, and must be completed before beginning work.

All work is fired in Ox-Bow’s electric kilns at cone 5–6. To ensure consistency and protect shared equipment, only studio-provided clay and glazes may be used. Any outside materials must receive prior approval from studio staff.

• Trimming: Return within one week of your initial visit (appointment required)

• Bisque Firing: Typically within two weeks of placing work on the shelf

• Glazing: Must be completed during active session dates (June 14–July 4 or July 13–25)

Finished work will be held through September 1.
After July 25, all work will be available for pickup in the front office.
Unclaimed work after September 1 may be discarded or donated.

Each pass includes dinner at 6:00 p.m., offering a chance to pause, connect with other artists, and return to the studio refreshed.

Participants may stay on campus with flexible nightly accommodations: $170 per night for a shared room or $225 per night for a private room, each including three meals per day. This option offers a comfortable, immersive way to stay connected to the studio and the Ox-Bow community.

90 minutes — $100

This session offers a supported introduction to the ceramics studio, including:

• Studio safety and workflow

• Basic wheel or hand-building instruction

• Overview of glazing and firing processes

Participants who complete this session are welcome to continue into Open Studio with greater confidence and independence.