Open Studio is our drop-in artist studio for all ages. Use the studio to:

•  Paint-Your-Own-Pottery

• Create wood sculptures from our huge assortment of pieces

• Free-build with the many materials we have available to you

• Build with kiln-fire clay*

• Rent time to throw Pottery on one of our Studio Wheels. (Lessons available) After your clay sculptures or pottery are dried and fired, you may return to glaze. Check out our great rates for Pottery Wheel Rental.

Open Studio Rates (Group Rates Available)

New Project:

$10 studio fee per person doing an activity plus supplies. There is no fee for assisting parents.

The $10 covers your time in the studio on that day and includes basic use instructions, use of our tools, brushes, smocks, and our reference library. Additionally, you pay the cost of the ceramic piece or wood pieces and supplies. Piece price includes paint or glaze, firing, etc. Please see "To Build With Clay" for clay sculpting rates.

Returning to finish a piece on another day: $5 studio fee. The return must be within 30 days of last visit to continue work on project.

To Build with clay for the first time during Open Studio:

You will need a lesson taught by a clay professional so your piece will fire successfully. The fee is $20 per person in addition to the studio fee. The cost for clay is $3/lb. This includes the first firing, storage and handling. An appointment is recommended for the lesson to insure that an instructor is available. After that, you pay only the $10 studio fee. Future projects that require instruction will incur a Professional Fee.

Pottery Wheel rental time should be booked in advance. Rate is $8/hour.

Childrens' Rates for Open Studio

Rates if parents would like to drop a child off:

Children 4 - 7 Years of Age

Fee: $10.00 per hour

We will be responsible for teaching and watching your child. Supplies are additional. Children under 7 cannot be dropped off for open studio without prior arrangement with a VCA staff person.

Children 8 – 11 Years of Age

Fee: $10 for up to 2 hours, then $6.00 each additional hour. Supplies are additional.

Children 12 – 17 Years of Age

Fee: $10 for up to 2 hours, then $5.00 each additional hour. Supplies are additional.

Children needing specific professional help will incur a professional fee of $20 per person. Projects not included in our regular open studio format require advance notice and will incur an additional professional fee per person.