Membership in 2026
Tao of Clay Membership in 2026
We’re excited to share updates to our Tao of Clay membership for 2026, including new perks and updated policies designed to support the continued growth of our studio. Over the past year, our community has grown in meaningful ways, and with that growth comes the need for clearer systems, sustainable practices, and shared expectations that help the studio run smoothly.
Our goal with these updates is simple: to make Tao of Clay more organized, efficient, safe, and joyful for everyone who works here. Below you’ll find a full overview of our 2026 membership benefits, followed by a detailed breakdown of the changes that took effect on January 1, 2026.
2026 Membership Benefits & Perks
$325 / month subscription
Studio Access
Members enjoy full studio access during open hours:
- Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
We are occasionally closed for special events. When this happens, we provide advance notice via email, our online calendar, and the in-studio bulletin board.
Monthly Firing Credit
- 25 lbs of free firing per month, managed through Kiln Fire
- Firing credits reset on the first of each month (not on your membership start date)
Discounted Member Firing
- Additional firing beyond the included 25 lbs is discounted to $3.00/lb
- Be sure to select “membership firing” from the dropdown in Kiln Fire
- Charges are processed weekly on Mondays to the card on file
Class & Workshop Discounts
-
$275 off one 6-week Tao of Clay course per calendar year
-
10% off all Tao of Clay courses and workshops (excluding Guest Artist Workshops)
Automatically applied when logged into your member account
Retail & Kiosk Discounts
- 10% off all kiosk items, including tools, snacks, and supplies
- Discounts are automatically applied through Shopify
Member Events
Members receive invitations to free, community-based events, including:
- Staff-led demos
- Movie nights
- Late-night open studios
- Member-Only Markets ( 2 per year)
Check our in-studio calendar and website for upcoming events.
Storage
- One personal cubby
- Two ware board shelves
- Additional storage may be available for monthly rental
Membership Pause
- Members may pause their membership for one month per calendar year without losing their spot
- To pause or cancel, email info@taoofclay.com
Staff Support
Our experienced staff are available to offer guidance and support on projects during open hours.
Monthly Buddy Pass
- Bring a friend to experience the studio once per month
Important Updates for Existing Members (Effective January 1, 2026)
As we enter our second year, we’ve made thoughtful adjustments to our membership structure based on what we’ve learned so far. These updates help us better manage shared resources, firing capacity, and storage while ensuring the studio remains sustainable long-term.
1. Membership Pricing
- The monthly membership rate for new members is now $325/month
- Members who joined before January 1, 2026 will not see an increase in their membership price at this time
2. Firing & Kiln Policies
Monthly Firing
- Members continue to receive 25 lbs of free firing per month
- Unlimited access to approved clay and glazes remains included
Additional Firing Rates
- Members: $3/lb
- Students: $5/lb (outside of firing included in a course)
Oversized Firing Surcharge
To better account for kiln space, handling, and risk associated with large work, we are introducing oversized firing fees:
- 14”–18” (any dimension): $10
- 18”–24”: $20
- Over 24”: Custom surcharge (priced per piece, by request)
Oversized firing fees must be purchased as a separate add-on ticket through Kiln Fire at the time of submission. Oversized pieces require two tickets: one firing ticket and one oversized surcharge ticket. Oversized surcharges do notcount toward your 25 lb monthly firing credit.
Kiln Shelf Repair Fees
Our studio uses Advancer kiln shelves, which are durable but costly to replace ($200–$400 per shelf). To help maintain our kiln infrastructure:
-
Minor glaze drips: $10
(Drips larger than a dime requiring chiseling) -
Larger glaze drips: $20
(Drips larger than a quarter requiring grinding) - Major damage: Fee assessed based on repair or replacement needs
Pieces that drip glaze will be culled. If ownership is known, repair fees will be charged automatically. Members may check with staff if a piece appears to be missing and may be part of the glaze drip collection.
3. Class Discount Updates
-
Members receive $275 off one 6-week course per calendar year
(Previously this benefit was available more frequently) -
Members now receive 10% off all Tao of Clay courses and workshops
New perk for 2026 - Guest Artist Workshops are excluded
4. Kiosk & Retail Purchases
- The 10% member discount remains unchanged
- Kiosk sales are transitioning from Kiln Fire to Shopify, where memberships are already managed
5. Buddy Pass Updates
- Members continue to receive one Buddy Pass per month
- Shared shelf storage for guest work is no longer available
- Any work made by your buddy must be stored on your assigned member shelf
- Members must check in with staff every time they bring a buddy, even if the guest has visited before
- First-time buddies must complete a liability waiver
- Members must purchase a $0 Buddy Pass ticket in Kiln Fire to log usage
- Members are responsible for their guest’s orientation, conduct, and work
6. Communal Storage Tracking (Tall Work & Damp Room)
To help manage shared storage spaces:
- Members must submit a ticket to place work in the damp room or tall work storage
- Tickets must include name and date
- All communal storage areas follow a 2-week maximum storage policy
These updates allow us to better care for our shared resources while continuing to offer a creative space where everyone can thrive.
If you have questions about these updates, please reach out to our staff or email info@taoofclay.com. Thank you for being part of this community and for helping us care for this space together.