Studio Note: we are missing a number of ware boards. If you brought any home, please return as soon as possible! These are communal boards for usage by all students and members and we ask that they do not go home with you.
Please avoid taking other communal supplies home, such as: microfiber towels, scissors, tools etc.

All Spring 2 Classes now open for general registration online!
Spring 2 dates: May 4th – June 29th (no class May 24th & 25th)

We are offering a supplemental wheel class on Thursdays 4pm – 6pm as an add-on for those adult students currently enrolled in another pottery class. This is combined with the Teen Wheel class (ages 16+), taught by Amy Menasche and is offered for current students in either wheel or handbuilding to learn on the wheel, or continue building on what you are learning in your regular class. If this class interests you, please email us to learn more and sign up! Spots are limited.

THIS WEEKEND!
Special Event in the Art Gallery this April: Animal Matters New Watercolor Paintings by RA Member and former teacher Maria Kaprielian.
Opening Saturday, April 18th 1pm – 4pm
(Other viewing times: April 19th 1-4pm, and 25th and 26th 3-6pm

Spring 2 dates: May 4th – June 29th (no class May 24th & 25th)

Reminder: next week, April 14th & 15th is the charge date for re-enrollment in Spring 2 classes. If you prefer to pay by another method, or want to cancel or transfer your class, please let us know before next week! If we do not hear from you otherwise, we will be charging your card on file to register you for the Spring 2 session starting Tuesday next week.

Special Event in the Art Gallery this April: Animal Matters New Watercolor Paintings by RA Member and former teacher Maria Kaprielian.
Opening Saturday, April 18th 1pm – 4pm
(Other viewing times: April 19th 1-4pm, and 25th and 26th 3-6pm

Spring 1 Classes resume on Monday and run April 6th – May 3rd. 4 more weeks.

There IS Open Studio this weekend (including Sunday).
There is no Wheel Class on Sunday!

Spring 2 classes will be registering soon! Please let us know if you need to make any changes to your class, including canceling!
Spring 2 dates: May 4th – June 29th (no class May 24th & 25th)

Special Event in the Art Gallery this April: Animal Matters New Watercolor Paintings by RA Member and former teacher Maria Kaprielian.
Opening Saturday, April 18th 1pm – 4pm
(Other viewing times: April 19th 1-4pm, and 25th and 26th 3-6pm)

———————-

FREE Glazing 101 Workshop with Jill Leary, Railyard Owner & Founder (Sunday, April 19th, 12:00pm-1:00pm):

• Only a few spots left!
• To Register: Call (914-617-8541) or email (info@railyardarts.com) to reserve your spot! (NO online registration required)
• About the Workshop: This free workshop is designed to help you better understand the glazing process so you can make more confident, informed decisions with your work.
  During this session, we’ll walk through the fundamentals of how our studio glazes work and how to use them effectively. You’ll learn how to get consistent results with our bucket glazes, how to use the Glaze Wall as a guide for color choices and combinations, and the differences between Stroke & Coat, slips, and underglazes—along with how to use each effectively on your pieces.
  We’ll also cover the basics of kiln firing, including the difference between bisque and high fire, temperature ranges, and what types of glazes and pieces belong in each firing.
  This is a relaxed, informative session with plenty of time for questions. Whether you’re new to glazing or just want a refresher, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of the process—and fewer surprises when you open the kiln.
  Open to all pottery students.
  
  
  
  

Spring Break: There are no classes next week (March 30th – April 5th)!
– The Studio will be open and there WILL be Open Studio both weeks (March 28th – 31st, and April 4th – 7th)
Spring 1 session- classes will resume the following week and run April 6th – May 3rd.

Spring 2 Registration Note:
Registration will be opening in Mid-April! For those wishing to continue their class in the Spring 2 session, we will send a reminder about the auto-enrollment charge dates about a week before, or please see below for the registration plan (for adult pottery classes only):

• Current Pottery Students’ Cards Charged: April 14th or 15th (If cancelling or paying by a different method, please do so before these dates)
• Available spots in Clay Classes open to the waitlist: April 16th
• General Registration Open Online: April 17th (any remaining spots now available to general public)

Clay Recycling & Wedging Reminder:

This week, teachers will be reviewing proper clay recycling and wedging in class.

We’ve noticed the bins under the wedging table are not being used correctly. Too much usable clay is being placed in the recycle bins instead of being wedged and reused, causing the little bin to overflow.

Please be mindful to wedge and reuse clay whenever possible, and only place true scrap in the recycle bins.

Thank you for your help in keeping the studio running smoothly.

FREE Glazing 101 Workshop with Jill Leary, Railyard Owner & Founder (Sunday, April 19th, 12:00pm-1:00pm):

• To Register: Call (914-617-8541) or email (info@railyardarts.com) to reserve your spot! (NO online registration required)
• About the Workshop: This free workshop is designed to help you better understand the glazing process so you can make more confident, informed decisions with your work.
  During this session, we’ll walk through the fundamentals of how our studio glazes work and how to use them effectively. You’ll learn how to get consistent results with our bucket glazes, how to use the Glaze Wall as a guide for color choices and combinations, and the differences between Stroke & Coat, slips, and underglazes—along with how to use each effectively on your pieces.
  We’ll also cover the basics of kiln firing, including the difference between bisque and high fire, temperature ranges, and what types of glazes and pieces belong in each firing.
  This is a relaxed, informative session with plenty of time for questions. Whether you’re new to glazing or just want a refresher, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of the process—and fewer surprises when you open the kiln.
  Open to all pottery students.
  
  
  
  

Spring Break will be March 30th – April 5th. The Studio will be open and there WILL be Open Studio that week (April 4th-7th) and the week before (March 28th – 31st).

Studio Note

• As a reminder: please do NOT touch other students’ pieces. If you cannot find your piece or need to look around the class shelves, please speak with the instructor or studio manager to help you look.

• Thank you for joining us this Spring! We hope you enjoyed the first week Spring 1 classes!
• Open Studio Reminders:
  • If you are a new student and have not attended your first class yet, please wait to attend Open Studio until you have been to your first class.
    • New Students, please refer to the Open Studio email with important information about Open Studio, Firing fees and more!
  •  If you sign up for an open studio slot and cannot make it, please sign on to Sign Up Genius again to remove your name from the list, opening availability for other students on the waitlist. You can also cancel your reservation through your open studio sign up confirmation email.
  • Please only sign up for one day. You must receive permission from the office to sign up for two open studio spots. 
  • Handbuilders sign up for handbuilding slots and Wheel Throwers sign up for wheel spots.

Studio Note

• The baking soda/vinegar greenware surface technique can cause flashing in our kilns. As a result, we can no longer fire pieces with baking soda on the surface. Any pieces with baking soda will be removed from firing.

• For most classes, this was the last week of the Spring 1 session! (Please see scheduled makeup classes below).
• FIRING FEES ARE DUE IN YOUR LAST CLASS! If you have had your last class and have not already paid your firing fees, please pay now!
  • Students are responsible for totaling up your own firing fees. If you did not attend your last class, please come in sometime this week to total up your final amount, or email us and we can send a picture of your sheet. Thank you.
• Spring 1 Classes start March 9th!
  • Classes run March 9th – May 3rd, no classes March 30th – April 5th!
• Besides the makeup classes scheduled next week, there is a one-week break between sessions.
  • We will be having regular open studio the weekend of the off-week for those needing to add any final touches or finish glazing. Wheel throwers: if you are only glazing, please sign up for a handbuilding OS slot.
• This month is Mug Madness in the Shop! We would like to feature both our shop artists and our students and your marvelous mugs. If you have a mug you would like to share on our Mug Madness post please email to Kellie and you will be featured! Kellie@railyardarts.com

Makeup Classes:

Sunday 3hr Wheel, March 1st and 8th– 12:30pm – 5:00pm
Monday Handbuilding, March 2nd regular class time & Thursday March 5th 10:00am – 1:00pm
Monday Advanced Wheel, March 2nd regular class time & Thursday March 5th, 6:00pm – 9:00pm
also:
Kid’s Clay, March 2nd regular class time
Mondays with Mireille, March 2nd regular class time
Teen Art, March 2nd 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Monday Stained Glass March 2nd regular class time

• The Studio is closed to all students, staff & members all day today, February 23rd through 10:30am Tuesday, February 24th. This is subject to change! Please keep an eye on your email for Open Studio & Class updates, and please check here and our social media for up to date information regarding re-opening.
• As of Monday 2pm: Open Studio tomorrow is rescheduled 10:30am – 12:30pm. Please do not arrive before 10:30am to allow ample time to plow and ready the parking lot & Studio after being closed.
• Please stay safe and warm!

• Next Week is the last week of the Spring 1 session
  • EXCEPT for Sunday classes: you will have 2 makeup classes on March 1st and 8th
  • EXCEPT for Monday classes: you will have one makeup class on March 1st
• FIRING FEES ARE DUE IN YOUR LAST CLASS! Please plan to bring your preferred method of payment to class. We ask that you total up your final amount due and pay DURING your final class.
  • We sent an email with details on how to pay your firing fees earlier this morning. Please refer to that email for all information regarding firing fees!
  • Students are responsible for totaling up your own firing fees. If you do not plan to attend your last class, please pay before you leave and come in to total up your final amount. Please email us with any questions.
• Besides the makeup classes, there is a one-week break between sessions. However, we will be having regular open studio the weekend of the off-week for those needing to add any final touches or finish glazing. Wheel throwers: if you are only glazing, please sign up for a handbuilding OS slot.
• General Pottery Room Reminders:
  • All clay for student use should come from the bin under the stone table in the wheel room. Please do not take clay from other locations, like under the slab roller.
  • The AMACO glazes (useable for those who attended the AMACO workshop only) are communal Studio glazes. Please do not take these glazes home, and please return them immediately after using so other students can find and use them!
  • We have 2 new heat guns! Please be aware that these tools are running a little hotter than our past heat gun- as always please use caution when using!

• Spring 1 Classes are now live and available for general registration through our website.
• Only 2 more weeks of Winter classes! (Except for Sunday and Monday classes, who will have a their make up on March 1st and 2nd respectively)
• Please double check that you are correctly recording and totaling up your firing fees. Firing fees are due ON your last day of class! If you know you will be missing your final class, please plan to pay your total before you leave. Students are responsible for totaling up their final firing fees due.
• We have some great workshops coming up this Spring, including another one of Mindy’s Glazing workshops where you will learn the glaze techniques of Peacock and Ombré. Check out our workshop offerings here.