The ceramic studio hosts artist residents as well as Ceramic Subscribers who use thestudio on Thursdays and Fridays as day visitors. The studio is supported by Ceramic Technician, Amy Benzie who works Tuesday – Friday and you can access technician support on these days. Following an induction to the studio by Amy you are able to use it 24/7. Separate Process and Equipment inductions are also offered in advance of using them. You will be asked to sign your induction sheets.
This studio can be accessed through the step-free entrance via the courtyard, through a large door. This door is heavy and code locked and is not automated but can be set to ‘freedoor’ as required. The doorway is 105cm wide and can accommodate wheelchair access and there is a slight lip. When exiting through this door, there is a push-bar on the inside. The studio can also be accessed via any other door into the main building. The door to the ceramics studio located between the Community Making Space and the main studio measures 115cm wide.
The ceramic studio is a spacious room with wide pathways between equipment and workbenches and the furniture is moveable. There are adaptable workbenches with adjustable height, two adaptable pottery wheels that are operated either with hand or foot controls and a table top wheel that can be set up on different height benches, as well as a lowered sink. PPE is available to wear and is a requirement for some processes.
There are small side rooms for glazing and clay storage and a separate kiln room. The glaze room door measures 88cm wide and can be made wider if required, it has two additional small doors that can be opened to accommodate a wheelchair. The Kiln room door is 118cm wide and inside the kiln room there is not much space to manoeuvre due to the kiln and pellet burner door.
Flooring: Smooth concrete
Lighting: Soft natural lighting through the roof windows. Suspended fluorescent strip lights which are softened with shade covers.
Seating: Plastic chairs with backs and no arms and stools.
Sensory Notes: Neutral decor, white walls, two noticeable patterns are the wooden and metal beams on the corrugated metal ceiling which create a geometric pattern and the yellow diagonal line path painted on the grey floor. Strong smelling materials or substances may be used in the studio, masks are available. A loud extractor is used during glaze mixing. The glaze mixing room is small and confined.
Possible Barriers: Some materials used in glazing may cause irritation. Ceramic studios can contain a lot of clay dust, masks are available. The First Aid Kit is kept on top of the brown chest of drawers and aprons and boiler suits are kept on hooks of different heights. Masks are available upon request.
Nearest Accessible Toilet: There is an accessible toilet in the hallway, outside the door that leads to the rest of the SSW main building. To access it, exit through the door to the hallway and it is on the immediate left.
First Aid Kit location: On top of the brown chest of drawers
