$250 Monthly Membership

ViaClay Members Studio in Forest Park offers clay enthusiasts a welcoming and professional space to practice their craft. With both gas and electric kilns, the possibilities for your creative practice are limitless. Our 6,000 square foot fully renovated, light-filled, secure space includes multiple work zones, a dedicated glaze area, four industrial sinks, and a separate grinding room. A large kitchen with laundry on site along with two restrooms offer a comfortable environment to work independently seven days a week.

member benefits

• Our vintage industrial building is perfectly situated a block from thriving Madison Street, between a quiet residential area and the park-like setting of The Altenheim apartments.

• The ground floor with its timbered ceiling and separate kiln room – formerly a massive beer cooler built in the 1930s – provide both communal and discrete workspaces.

• App-based KISI Access Control and Security Platform allows members to come and go easily with confidence.

• Studio management will be on site during regular business hours; 4K security cameras monitor after-hours activity in the main spaces.

• Our equipment inventory includes new Nidec-Shimpo VL-Whisper wheels, Shimpo pugmill, Skutt electric kilns firing with a full spectrum of high-fire glazes in an oxidation environment, as well as a Bailey Gas Kiln for reduction firing. A variety of clay-shaping tools, cleaning supplies, and aprons are always in stock.

• All studio spaces and surfaces are cleaned weekly on Monday mornings.

purchasing clay

• To distribute costs fairly across our community, ViaClay sells clay by the block as prepared by our distributors (25 pounds per block). Our per block price list is periodically updated to reflect the actual cost of clay, and a share of glaze materials and firing costs. The per block charge for clay is the only additional cost beyond the monthly membership fee and is designed to keep pace with each person’s production level.

• Each member selects one dedicated shelf (48” wide x 30” deep x 18” tall) to store their personal work and tools. Additional communal shelves are also available, and secure lockers for valuables may be assigned as needed.

Youth memberships

Minor students over the age of 13 who have completed at least one session at ViaClay and who demonstrate sufficient maturity in the studio staff’s opinion may opt for a monthly Youth Membership. Specific access hours apply to Youth Members so we can ensure their participation is supervised by qualified staff.

During the school year, Youth Member hours are Monday through Friday, 3p to 7p and Saturdays noon to 5:30p. Summer hours are extended.