Open Task Time

Shop Capacity

Ceramics Area: 10 people
Casting Area: 10 people

Note:

• During scheduled classes or faculty-led demos, the capacity may temporarily increase to match the class size. No additional students are allowed during this time.
• Only one class is permitted in the Wet Shop at a time. If a class is in the Ceramics area, the Casting area must remain empty, and vice versa.
• We do not accommodate walk-in class sessions.

Class Demos

To schedule a class demo, contact the Wet Shop email and Assistant Manager, Alex Ingle, with at least two weeks’ notice. Class Demos may not always be available to be held in the Wet Shops, due to schedule conflicts and the need to keep Open Task Time available for students.

MFA Students

Second-year MFA students (who have previously or are currently enrolled in a Parsons ceramics class) and are focusing on ceramics for their thesis have access to specific resources.
See the MFA Thesis Guidelines and Special Allowances for details.

Reasonable notice via email is required for access requests.

Access Model Update

Ceramics Orientations are now limited to current ceramics classes and select students, coordinated by Program Directors.

Program Directors can advocate for students interested in access to the Ceramics studio who are not currently enrolled in a Ceramics course. For consideration, please fill out this form with the student by Friday, February 6th.

For eligibility, the student must:

• Be currently enrolled at Parsons School of Design
• Have previously completed a college level ceramics course
• Have identified a professor who is available to guide and support them in this work
• Be available to attend an in-person orientation Sunday, February 8.

Program Directors, please see form: Pathway to Ceramics

 

Mandatory Orientations

Ceramics and Casting require separate orientations, with an online component (via Canvas) followed by an in-person session. To access the online component, you must first complete the Making Center General Orientation.

Casting Orientation (available for general access):

• Covers safety guidelines, best practices, and casting equipment/materials.
• After completing the online component on Canvas, use the private Libcal link to sign up for the in-person session.
• Check the Shop Calendar for the latest schedule.

Ceramics Orientation (for students enrolled in ceramics classes):

• Covers general shop access, hand-building equipment, and associated materials.
• Orientations are scheduled automatically with professors as part of the class curriculum.

The last day of General Casting Orientations for the Spring semester will be on Sunday, March 1. Please plan accordingly.

Shop Policies

For the latest shop rules and protocols, refer to the documents below:

Shop Rules:

• Ceramic Shop Rules
• Casting Shop Rules
• Cleanup Timeline (Both Shops)
• Interruption Policy

Firing Rules and Procedures:

• Kiln Firing Policies
• Kiln Reject Policy

Bringing Outside Materials into the Wet Shop?

Faculty and students bringing materials not supplied by the shop must complete the Outside Materials Request Form. This form collects details about the material and outlines storage policies. All materials require staff approval before being brought into the shop.

Note: We no longer accept outside clay requests

Wet Shop Interruption Policy

An interruption records rule violations or breaches of the Student Code of Conduct and Making Center Policies. This presentation outlines what triggers an interruption, severity levels, and shop responses.

Located on the second floor of 2 W 13th Street, across from the 3D Printing Shop.

This space is also available for Open Task Time on a limited basis, 4-8 hrs per week (see schedule above).

*Hours and Access for Open Task Time*

• L203 is only available to students who have received a Ceramics Orientation.
• Students may not work in the space without a technician present.
• Maximum capacity of *10 students* during Open Task Time.

Class Reservations: L203 Ceramic classroom is available for reservations for professors focusing in clay based processes. If you would like to reserve the space, please reach out to Alex Ingle.

Responsibilities and Expectations
Students are expected to:

• Check In/Out of the space
• Practice safe and clean working habits.
• Respect tools and equipment and return them in good working condition.
• Clean up after themselves within the space.

For more detailed information please see the L203 Policy and Guidelines

Resources

• Procedure: Screen Print Transfer to Ceramics
• Explainer: Firing Work
• Rejected Work
• Firing Schedule (Sample)