Catoctin Creek Pottery
Student Agreement, Terms & Conditions
Welcome to Catoctin Creek Pottery! Our goal is to provide a safe, creative, supportive, and enjoyable learning environment. Because our classes are intentionally kept small, consistent scheduling and attendance policies help us provide each student with meaningful instruction and studio time.
By enrolling in a class, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the following terms and conditions.
1. Enrollment, Session Dates & Class Fees
Pottery classes are offered in scheduled six-week sessions with published start and end dates. Enrollment reserves my space for the entire session.
Tuition covers instruction, use of studio equipment and tools, approved studio materials, clay unless otherwise noted, studio glazes, and kiln firings as outlined in the class description.
Late Enrollment
When space is available, Catoctin Creek Pottery may allow a student to join a session already in progress provided that at least four scheduled classes remain.
Depending on when the student joins and studio availability, Catoctin Creek Pottery may offer one of the following late-enrollment accommodations:
Tuition may be prorated based on the number of remaining scheduled classes; or
When only the first class has been missed, the student may be offered additional studio time totaling up to two hours to account for that missed class.
When additional studio time is offered, the two hours may be divided over two regularly scheduled class days. Depending on studio and instructor availability, this may include:
arriving 30 minutes early and staying 30 minutes later for two classes, or
arriving one hour early for two classes.
Other arrangements may be approved by Catoctin Creek Pottery when appropriate.
Additional studio time provided specifically for late enrollment is separate from and does not use the student's regular makeup opportunity described in Section 3.
Students joining a session after it has begun understand that the class is already in progress. The instructor will provide appropriate assistance, but demonstrations or instruction presented before the student's enrollment may not be individually repeated in full.
If fewer than four scheduled classes remain, the student will be encouraged to register for the next available session.
Late enrollment and the type of accommodation offered are subject to studio and instructor availability and are determined by Catoctin Creek Pottery.
Tuition is non-refundable once a class session begins unless otherwise determined by Catoctin Creek Pottery.
2. Attendance & Missed Classes
Because class size is intentionally limited, enrollment reserves a space that cannot be filled when a student misses class. Students are encouraged to attend all scheduled class dates.
Students who know before registering that they will miss more than one scheduled class are encouraged to select another session or discuss the scheduling conflict with Catoctin Creek Pottery before registering.
Missed classes are non-refundable.
Student absences do not reduce or prorate tuition after enrollment.
Missed classes cannot be credited or transferred to a future session except as specifically provided under the Makeup Policy below.
Classes canceled by Catoctin Creek Pottery will be rescheduled or appropriate replacement class time will be provided and will not count toward a student's makeup allowance.
3. Makeup Policy
Catoctin Creek Pottery understands that illness, travel, family obligations, and unexpected circumstances may occasionally result in a missed class.
Each six-week session includes one makeup opportunity of up to three hours of studio time for a student absence.
The following conditions apply:
A maximum of one makeup opportunity per six-week session is provided.
Makeup time may not exceed three total hours, regardless of the number of classes missed.
Makeup time is subject to studio and instructor availability.
Whenever possible, makeup time will be scheduled during an existing class or another available studio period.
The studio is not obligated to open or schedule instruction on a regularly scheduled day off solely to accommodate a makeup.
Additional missed classes are forfeited and are not eligible for additional makeup time, refunds, credits, or transfers.
Makeup time cannot be accumulated or carried forward to a future session.
Unused makeup time has no cash or credit value.
Makeup time provides an opportunity to continue working on projects and receive reasonable assistance. Individual repetition of an entire demonstration, lesson, or project missed during the regularly scheduled class is not guaranteed.
Additional studio time provided as part of an approved late-enrollment arrangement under Section 1 does not count as the student's makeup opportunity.
Students should notify Catoctin Creek Pottery as soon as reasonably possible when they know they will be unable to attend a scheduled class.
4. Completion of Projects
Students work at different speeds, and some projects may require additional time to complete.
If I do not finish my projects during my registered class session or available makeup time, I understand that completion may require:
enrolling in another class session,
scheduling a private lesson, or
paying any applicable open studio fee, if offered.
The instructor cannot guarantee that unfinished work can be completed after my class session has ended.
5. Approved Materials & Work Created Outside Class
Clay and a selection of studio glazes and other decorating materials are provided by Catoctin Creek Pottery as part of class tuition, as outlined in the class description. These materials are selected to be compatible with the studio's equipment and firing temperatures.
Class tuition applies to work created as part of the registered class. Clay, studio glazes, decorating materials, and kiln firings included with tuition are intended for class projects and work produced during the registered class or approved makeup time. Pieces created at home or otherwise outside the class are considered outside work and are subject to applicable studio glaze/material charges and Kiln Share firing fees. Outside work must be approved before being brought in for glazing or firing. Outside work is accepted, processed, and fired as studio capacity allows and only when it does not interfere with regularly scheduled class work. Classroom work receives priority. Because outside work is scheduled around classroom needs and available kiln space, it may have a longer completion timeframe. Catoctin Creek Pottery does not guarantee that outside work will follow the same firing or completion schedule as class-created work unless a specific arrangement has been agreed upon in advance.
Students who wish to use clay, glazes, underglazes, slips, stains, or other ceramic materials not provided by Catoctin Creek Pottery must receive approval from the instructor before bringing or using those materials in the studio or applying them to work that will be fired in the studio's kilns.
To protect the studio's kilns, equipment, kiln furniture, and the work of other students:
Outside clay must be clearly identified by manufacturer and clay body and must be appropriate for the studio's firing temperature.
Outside glazes, underglazes, slips, stains, and other ceramic materials must be clearly identified and approved before use.
Students should not use unidentified, homemade, repackaged, or otherwise unverifiable ceramic materials without prior approval.
Catoctin Creek Pottery reserves the right to refuse the use or firing of any outside material or piece when its composition, firing range, compatibility, or safety cannot be reasonably verified.
Any additional cost associated with a student's choice to use materials outside those included with tuition is the responsibility of the student.
Approval of an outside material does not guarantee a particular firing or artistic result. Students remain responsible for understanding how their chosen materials are intended to be used.
6. Firing Policies
I understand that pottery is a handmade and kiln-fired process.
Work may occasionally crack, warp, break, explode, blister, craze, pinhole, discolor, stick to kiln shelves, or otherwise become damaged during drying or firing.
Pieces that are excessively thick, improperly constructed, contain trapped air, have unstable attachments, or are otherwise likely to damage the kiln, kiln furniture, or surrounding work may not be fired.
The instructor reserves the right to refuse firing of any piece that could present a risk to studio equipment or the work of others.
7. Handmade Nature of Pottery
I understand that pottery is an artistic and handcrafted process.
Variations in color, glaze movement, texture, shape, surface finish, and firing results are expected and contribute to the uniqueness of each piece.
Perfect or identical results cannot be guaranteed.
8. Care of Student Work
Catoctin Creek Pottery will exercise reasonable care in storing, handling, glazing, firing, and caring for student work.
However, because ceramics are fragile and kiln firing involves inherent risk, Catoctin Creek Pottery, its owners, instructors, assistants, and representatives cannot guarantee the successful completion of every piece.
Except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, I agree that Catoctin Creek Pottery shall not be responsible for damage, defects, loss, or breakage occurring during any stage of the ceramic process.
9. Studio Safety
Pottery involves the use of tools, pottery wheels, kilns, glazes, ceramic materials, and other equipment.
I agree to:
Follow all instructor directions and studio safety procedures.
Use equipment only after receiving proper instruction.
Wear appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes.
Tie back long hair and avoid loose jewelry when operating equipment.
Report damaged or unsafe equipment immediately.
Use all tools and equipment responsibly.
Help maintain a clean and safe studio environment.
10. Clay Dust & Health
I understand that ceramic dust may contain silica, which can present a health risk if inhaled over time.
I agree to follow all studio cleaning procedures, including using approved wet-cleaning methods when instructed and avoiding activities that unnecessarily create airborne clay or ceramic dust.
11. Studio Conduct
Catoctin Creek Pottery is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful, and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Students are expected to:
Treat instructors, classmates, their work, and studio equipment respectfully.
Follow instructor guidance and studio procedures.
Refrain from disruptive, abusive, inappropriate, or unsafe behavior.
Catoctin Creek Pottery reserves the right to dismiss any participant whose behavior jeopardizes the safety, enjoyment, or learning experience of others. No refund will be provided in such cases.
12. Age Requirements
Regular pottery classes are intended for adults.
Students ages 16-17 may participate only when registered with and accompanied by a participating parent or legal guardian unless otherwise approved by Catoctin Creek Pottery.
13. Storage & Pickup of Finished Work
Ceramic work requires adequate drying time and may require multiple firings. Finished work may therefore not be available immediately following the conclusion of a class session.
Students will be notified when their finished work is available for pickup.
Due to limited studio storage space:
Finished pottery should be picked up within 30 days of notification unless prior arrangements have been made.
Unclaimed work after 30 days may be discarded, recycled, donated, or otherwise disposed of without compensation or liability.
14. Personal Property
Catoctin Creek Pottery is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings brought into the studio.
15. Photography & Media Release
Unless I notify Catoctin Creek Pottery in writing before class begins, I grant permission for photographs or video of myself and/or my completed pottery to be used for educational, promotional, website, print, and social media purposes without compensation.
16. Assumption of Risk & Release of Liability
I understand that participation in pottery classes is voluntary and involves inherent risks associated with working with clay, pottery wheels, tools, glazes, ceramic materials, kilns, and other studio equipment.
I voluntarily assume the ordinary and inherent risks associated with my participation.
Except where caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct, I release and hold harmless Catoctin Creek Pottery, its owners, instructors, assistants, volunteers, agents, and representatives from liability for injury, illness, property damage, loss, dissatisfaction with artistic results, or other claims arising from participation in pottery classes to the extent permitted by applicable law.
17. Acknowledgment of Agreement
By registering for and participating in a Catoctin Creek Pottery class, I acknowledge that I have read and understand these Student Agreement, Terms & Conditions and agree to follow the policies and studio procedures described above.
I understand in particular that:
My registration reserves my space for a scheduled six-week session.
Late enrollment is available only when approved by Catoctin Creek Pottery and when at least four scheduled classes remain.
Late-enrollment accommodations may include prorated tuition or, when appropriate, additional studio time to account for one missed class.
Any additional studio time granted for late enrollment is separate from the regular makeup opportunity and is subject to studio and instructor availability.
Missed classes after enrollment are non-refundable.
Each six-week session provides a maximum of one makeup opportunity of up to three total hours for a student absence.
Additional missed classes are forfeited and cannot be refunded, credited, transferred, or carried forward.
Makeup opportunities are subject to studio and instructor availability.
Pottery and kiln firing involve inherent risks, and specific artistic or firing results cannot be guaranteed.