About the ViaClay studio

info@viaclay.com or call us at (708)434-5848

We’re located just south of downtown Oak Park in the Pleasant-Home District at 208 South Marion Street. Our renovated studios offer students and members an engaging and bright communal workspace.

ViaClay’s first summer sessions for kids, teens, and adults launched in June 2020 with essential health and safety protocols in place. Now in our third year, summer and fall/winter classes for all ages are available, and our membership community continues to grow.

We remain committed to providing a creative and supportive community for our students, and an equitable workplace for our studio team and teachers.

Our goals

• To build a safe and stimulating environment for people of all ages and levels of expertise to work with clay.

• To be a resource for families seeking quality experiences for children.  

• To encourage personal and professional growth through creativity in a respectful collaborative space.
  
  

  Guidelines for students

Working at the wheel requires concentration and patience. In addition to reading and accepting our waiver, we also ask students of all ages to behave in a respectful and responsible manner at all times. Here are some reminders for those new to the studio environment.

• Safety in the pottery studio

  1. Always follow your teacher’s or a studio manager’s instructions, and please don’t use any tools or machinery, including pottery wheels, without supervision.

  2. Working at the wheel can be messy, so please dress accordingly. Although clay is water soluble and rarely stains, aprons are encouraged. For your own safety, you may be asked to remove clothing or jewelry that hangs or drapes, and to tie back long hair.

  3. Be mindful of wet floors and slippery surfaces. Report any safety concerns promptly to studio managers.

  4. Keep clear of the kiln area when firing, loading or unloading is underway. If you are invited to participate in kiln activities, be sure you understand the steps involved and follow all directions.

  5. Please don’t touch or move any clay project that does not belong to you unless you are invited to do so.

  6. Drying and storage racks are assigned to individuals and classes. Please be respectful of work in progress.

• Completed work

  All completed work must be picked up from ViaClay no later than four weeks after the student’s final class. ViaClay is not responsible for any work left at the studio longer than four weeks.