POTTERY OPEN STUDIO
Monday afternoon studio access: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
- Fall Session: September 29 – December 15, 2025
- Winter Session: January 12 – March 30, 2026
Thursday evening studio access: 7:15 -10:15 pm
- Fall Session: October 2 – December 18, 2025
- Winter Session: January 15 – April 2, 2026
Want a little more freedom in the studio? Open Studio Access Passes are suited to individuals who can work safely and independently in the studio. Participants purchase a session punch card that is redeemable for the duration of each programming season (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall).
Open Studio participants should be able to monitor their own work, center their own clay, trim wheel-thrown pieces, construct hand-built work to a project-appropriate thickness, and effectively glaze their own pots. If you have taken a 4-week wheel and/or hand building course or equivalent, then our open studio option is perfect for you. If this requirement is a barrier, but have other experience with clay, we’d be happy to review it. Please include a description of your ceramics experience and photos of your work with your application. Send all materials to assistant@homerwatson.on.ca
Details & Requirements:
- Previous pottery experience required please read below for details
- Minimum purchase of 4 studio access punches with enrollment
- Access punches must be used within the session that they are purchased for. Punches cannot be carried over into the next session.
- Participants will be given a physical punch card to keep track of their studio use and will be given a new one with every purchase of new punches.
The Open Studio Fee:
4 Punch Pass:
Friend of the Gallery Price ($193.50)
Regular Price ($215.00)
6 Punch Pass:
Friend of the Gallery Price ($306.90)
Regular Price ($341.00)
10 Punch Pass:
Friend of the Gallery Price ($490.50)
Regular Price ($545.00)
If you are interested in joining, I ask that you provide a brief description of your pottery experience. We currently have spots open in Monday Afternoon Open Studio Only.
Please reach out to Shannon with any questions. Her email is assistant@homerwatson.on.ca
What’s included in your Open Studio fee:
- Basic studio tools
- Studio glazes
- 1ft x 3ft shelf space for
- Wheels, 14” slab roller, and hand building space
- Firings
- 1 kiln shelf included each month
- For additional firings, charged per shelf or per piece
- Opportunity to take part in monthly studio clay and supply orders
- 1 bag of White Cone 6 Clay (typically PSH #519)
*additional clay purchases are separate from the Open Studio fee.
1st Clay bag to be included
Our studio is a single clay-body space, meaning we only have a reclaim system for Smooth White Cone 6 Clay (typically PSH #519). You can purchase the clay by the bag at our front desk or through S&S pottery in Kitchener. For information regarding what clays we will fire please email please email us at assistant@homerwatson.on.ca
Additional Clay Purchase
Clay cost: 25$ for 10kg bag/ 50$ for 20kg box
Kiln Share Firing
They will be filled and fired when enough pots are waiting on the firing shelves. We offer and allow usage of cone 6 clay/glaze.
What is NOT included in your monthly membership:
- Towels
- We recommend that you bring an apron or wear clothing you can work in that can get dirty.
- Plastic bags (especially dry-cleaning bags) are very useful to bring to cover your work and keep it from drying out between classes.
Community Kiln Share Firing
At Homer Watson House & Gallery we are happy to share our kiln with the public! With a few requirements, we can help transform your clay into ceramic! Please submit booking requests to assistant@homerwatson.on.ca. Include description, measurements, and image of works to be fired.
Firing Requirements & Expectations:
- Our bisque firing temperatures are between cone 04-06 and our glaze firing temperatures are midrange, cone 5-6. *All clay and glazes used to create your work must be compatible to reach cone 5 – 6 temperature*. (If you require a different firing temperature you may be able to rent out the entire kiln – please speak with us to see if we can accommodate your specific need.)
- To prevent kiln shelf damage, the bottom or underside of all works must be wiped clean of glaze.
- Works will be fired within 1 week from the date you drop your works off to be fired. This timeline is dependent on the state of your work.
- Homer Watson House & Gallery is a teaching and learning facility that is frequented by new pottery students from kids and adult classes. By firing with us you acknowledge that we are unable to control accidental damage incurred within the studio or in the kiln from others’ works.
- Dryness of pots for bisque firing is at the discretion of kiln technicians
- We appreciate great communication when it comes to sharing details of the clay body and glazes being used.
About our kilns:
- Brand & Model: R-200 Euclid Kiln
- Kiln type: Electric
- Internal size: 23″ x 27″
- Max firing temperature: Cone 6, 2232°F, 1222°C
Have questions or want more information regarding the Open Studio pilot program?
Please reach out to assistant@homerwatson.on.ca
For details regarding whole kiln firing costs, or other kiln firing inquiries please reach out to assistant@programs.on.ca