In order to ensure that you are competent and capable to work safely while using our facilities, we require Members to demonstrate a level of capability in using equipment, and a level of knowledge and responsibility in health and safety.

In order to gain access to these sessions, you must:

1. Be a current Member of Canberra Potters Society (See Membership – Canberra Potters).
2. Have attended a minimum of one term course at Canberra Potters Society, OR be able to demonstrate requisite experience.
3. Have read the Workshop Health and Safety (WHS) Handbook and attended an in-person WHS Orientation session (must be renewed every 12 months).*
4. Read and agree to abide by the Member Workshop Agreement and WHS Handbook.
5. Book and pay for a Member Access session via the Member Area on our website.**
   
   * only bookable by current Members.
   ** only visible to Members who have met criteria 1-5

If you have not attended a term course at Canberra Potters and have clay experience elsewhere, we will consider your access on a case-by-case basis. We do expect a level of hand building, wheel throwing and glazing experience, so that we can be assured you know how to use our facilities appropriately and safely. To demonstrate requisite experience please email workshop@canberrapotters.com.au with photographs of your work and a short description of your ceramics experience before booking your WHS orientation.

Limitations

• All Members must first meet the above criteria (1-4) before access is granted.
• Members aged between 12 and 15 years must be accompanied by an adult Member – due to capacity limitations both child and adult must book in for the same session.
• Members aged 16+ can attend Member Access sessions independently.
• Sessions can only be booked up to 1 month in advance.

WHS Orientation Sessions

Before Members can access independent sessions they must attend a WHS Orientation on-site. This Orientation must be renewed every 12 months to continue independent access.

Please be aware that orientation sessions are scheduled approximately 3-4 times per month during the class terms, within staff availability and at a variety of times wherever possible. Our staff are casual or part-time employees and while we make the effort to schedule sessions on weekdays and weekends we cannot accommodate all times on all days of the week.

*please note, only Members logged into the website will be able to book these sessions.

Member Workshop Agreement and Workshop Health & Safety Handbook

The Member Workshop Agreement and the Workshop Health and Safety Handbook are available to view at the following links:

• Member Workshop Agreement
• Workshop Health and Safety Handbook, located on the Health and Safety page.

Please be aware that breaches of the Member Workshop Agreement could result in additional WHS training or the revocation of access or membership.

Each week during the Canberra Potters class terms we offer Member Access sessions at set times. These sessions are generally available at the following times and with the following capacity restrictions:

Monday to Friday – 10am-1pm / 1pm-4pm / 6.30pm-9.30pm
Saturday – 10am-1pm / 1pm-4pm
Sunday – 1pm-4pm / 4pm-7pm

• Wheel – Capacity for up to 4 people per session time in the Members’ Workshop.
• Hand building – Capacity for 2 people per session time in the member’s workshop.
• Glazing – Capacity for 2 people per session time in the glaze shed.

We also offer the following additional sessions in Workshop 1:

Thursday – 10am-1pm
Friday – 1pm-4pm

• Glazing – Capacity for 8 people per session time in the glaze shed.
• Wheel – Capacity for 8 people per session time in Workshop 1.
• Hand building – Capacity for 6 people per session time in the Workshop 1.

Please note that times may vary depending on Canberra Potters events. Member Access sessions are not available during term breaks and on public holidays.

$11.30 per session booking.

Booking fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable, so please only book the sessions you know you can attend.

Members are expected to be self-sufficient in Member sessions. You must bring your own clay, tools and equipment for use, including batts – all of which can be purchased through our shop on-site, during business hours.

Limited tools will be provided in the Member’s Workshop for use during the session. These must be washed and returned before the end of your session.

MEMBERS MUST NOT ACCESS THE TEACHING WORKSHOPS TO ACCESS TOOLS OR EQUIPMENT.

To allow fair and equitable access we ask that you do not book back-to-back sessions on a regular basis. We understand that sometimes you may wish to finish a project in a short time period, however, we will monitor bookings and may restrict access if a person is frequently booking back-to-back sessions and limiting access for other members.

Due to capacity limitations Members should ensure they book the correct session (wheel throwing, hand building or glazing) to avoid disappointment.