Policies

Welcome!  This is your source for AOC studio policies, guidelines and best practice procedures.
Please care for the studio by looking out for the facility and your fellow participants.  Clean up after yourself as thoroughly as possible, share your enthusiasm, and explore clay!

This is a fluid document. Items will be added or deleted as necessary to insure productive and SAFE use of the studio for everyone. Please check frequently to stay aware of changes.

Class Enrollment and Refund Policies

• No refunds will be given once a class has been confirmed via email.  {Exceptions are only made in the event of extenuating circumstances, but require a doctor’s note or written request describing the situation, and must be approved by the Owner, $25 refund fee will be applied if approved}
• Tuition is due in full at time of registration.
• Classes with insufficient enrollment may be cancelled and participant moved to next session.
• There are no refunds for missed classes.
• With permission students may make-up a maximum of 2 missed classes during a full session or 1 make-up for shorter sessions.  There are no make-ups in the last week of classes. Make-up classes must be scheduled during Open Studio time with an instructor.
• Missed youth classes cannot be made up. No exceptions.
• Tuition is non-transferable.
• In the event of an emergency closing, students will be emailed/texted and classes will be rescheduled.  The Facebook home page will indicate whether classes and/or open studios are cancelled.
• Clay and firing fees are not included in tuition, unless noted in class description.
• The cost of clay ranges from $25+ per 25lb bag, depending on the clay body. Prices subject to change.
• Firing fees are calculated by the cubic inch (i.e. height x width x depth) so each student’s total will vary based on how much work they produce. The current cost of firing is 8 cents per cubic inch for bisque, glazing and glaze firing, this price is subject to change. Please check Firing Services page for most current pricing.
• Open Studio times are for non-instructional access to the studio and participants must be enrolled in a current class or have taken at least one multi-week class in the prior six months, to learn the setup of the studio, glazing and how to use the equipment. Instruction is not available during these open times.
• Class packages and Gift Certificates expire 1 year from purchase date. Special offers expire on the date stated on the voucher.
• Monthly memberships plans will renew monthly with a three month commitment. Cancelation of membership with a two week notice via email to info@artoffcenter.com . Please see Membership page for current pricing and information about levels.

General Studio Etiquette and Rules

• Studio Access/Open Studio-Students are encouraged to practice during the Open Studio hours offered on schedule. Please participate within these designated practice hours.
• No Open Studio hours during classes or events.
• Please start cleaning up 15 minutes before class ends and ½ hour before events or other classes that start after Open Studio scheduled times.
• Demonstrations-for class benefit, demos will be 10 minutes to a half hour long, depending on class curriculum
• Breakage-Be courteous of other people’s work. Do not handle pieces that are not your own. Breakage happens very easily at every stage of the ceramic process. Art Off Center is not responsible for lost or broken work. Should something break during a firing or otherwise, we will put it on a shelf with a note instead of throwing it out.
• Clean-up-Please begin cleaning up 15 minutes before your class is over. Make sure that glazes are returned to their shelves. Bring water bucket to your work space to wash tools/ wheel/ tables. All waste, meaning unfired clay (wet/ dry/ from trimmings/ cracked pieces) goes in the designated reclaim buckets. Mop around your wheel/ table area/ or glaze area. Wipe off all table surfaces.  Put tools and clay away. In general, leave it as you found it or better. If you use it or touch it, clean it. If you take it out, put it away.
• Labeling-Label and sign your artwork at each stage of production. This protects your work from being handled by others. Firing forms are required for all pieces regardless if produced in a class or Open Studio time.
• Storage-Make sure to take all your belongings home after the end of your class. All materials, works of art and/or personal belongings left unattended at the studio for longer than 3 months will be donated or disposed of, no exceptions.

Pottery Sales Return Policies

Returns:

If you are unhappy with your pottery purchase (work NOT produced in a class or Open Studio) for any reason, please contact us to arrange a return. Undamaged merchandise must be returned within 15 days for a full refund minus shipping costs. Unfortunately, we cannot accept returned merchandise after 15 days. Send items securely in their original packaging to:  Art Off Center, 116 W. 2^nd St, Ste 108, Taylor, TX 76574

Shipping:

Prices are for orders shipped within the Continental United States. All orders are shipped USPS standard ground, have an estimated arrival time of 5-10 days.  Unfortunately, we are unable to ship to P.O. boxes, so be sure to give a street address for delivery.  Please call or email for special shipping requirements outside of the Continental United States or for expedited shipping options.

Damaged Merchandise:

If the product arrives damaged, please contact us as quickly as possible at: 512-666-9003.  In order to receive a refund, you must save all boxes and packing material. We will arrange to have USPS pick up the package at no cost to you. We will replace the item (if possible) or mail you a refund check for your purchase.

Special Orders & Commissions:

Like an artist’s work, but want something different? Contact us directly, and we’ll put you in touch with the artist. Similarly, if you are looking for something specific, we might have an artist that would be willing to work with you on a commission basis.  Feel free to contact us at 512-666-9003 or at info@artoffcenter.com during published open hours.

Questions? Feel free to contact us at 512-666-9003 or at info@artoffcenter.com during published open hours.