Private Event FAQs

Even though the clay and glaze wash out of clothing, participants should wear comfortable clothing that they don’t mind getting messy.  Aprons are on hand if needed.

Typically, you can expect pieces to be ready 4 weeks after the event.  The pieces need that amount of time for drying, glazing, two firing processes, packaging and email notification.  When pieces are ready for pick up, you will receive an email notification or a phone call.  Sometimes emails go to spam or junk folders, so be sure to check those.  Sometimes voicemail boxes are full and we are not able to leave a message.  Pieces are picked up in the Retail Store during regular hours of operation.

After 3 months and multiple attempts to reach participants about their pieces, we discard abandoned pieces.  We simply do not have the space to keep pieces longer than 3 months.

Typically, if you call and we can't find it on the shelf for pick-up, it's somewhere in the firing process and not ready yet.  Please make sure you've allowed a full four weeks from your event for us to email you about pickup.  Occasionally, QCC cannot locate your clay piece after it's been fired.  This is sometimes because of a mis-fire in the kiln but mostly due to a mistake on participant’s paperwork (erroneous or illegible information makes it so we can't match it to your pot).  We will do our best to locate your piece(s) among any that couldn't be matched, but if we cannot, we will work with participants to make things right.

Payment for open enrollment classes is due at registration.

For PRIVATE EVENTS, Full payment is due 14 business days before event.  You will receive an email with a link to pay online with a credit card.  (If you don’t see it, check your email spam/junk folder).  You may also pay in person or over the phone.

No.

We do not offer group discounts.  We do have a scholarship fund.  You can apply online for a need-based scholarship HERE.

For PRIVATE EVENTS (wheel, hand building, individual lesson, and pottery painting)

If you have booked a private party with our Special Events Coordinator and need to cancel your event you must speak with a member of the Queen City Clay Staff, phone messages and emails will not be accepted. Full payment is due 14 business days prior to the event.  Payment is refundable up to 7 business days prior to your event.  Events cancelled within 7 business days of event date will not be refunded.  Individual spots cancelled within 7 business days of the event date will also not be refunded.  By that time, Instructors and materials have already been obligated for the number of participants requested.

For OPEN ENROLLMENT events like open wheel/hand building:  No refunds are permitted within 48 hours in advance of your class. Class may be rescheduled once if 48 hours notice is given.

Please Read the Cancellation Policies:   https://queen-city-clay-623736.shoplightspeed.com/service/general-terms-conditions/

Contact the QCC events coordinator.  If you are changing the number more than 7 business days prior to event, your invoice will be adjusted or a refund issued if you’ve already paid.  Changes within one week prior to event will not be refunded.  Instructors and materials have already been obligated for the event.

If the Queen City Clay studio is open, the event will go on as planned.  Studio closure info is on the QCC website or social media. Most up-to-date closures will be on our social media accounts, @queencityclay, or you can call the studio.  If you feel unsafe driving to QCC in the event of inclement weather, we may be able to reschedule on a case by case basis.  Email Kelly Johnson.

If the studio is closing due to weather and we must cancel your event, we will attempt to reach you via email.

Occasionally, an open enrollment event you signed up for must be cancelled due to low enrollment or other reasons like severe weather.  Every effort will be made to notify participants well in advance.  Your options will be:  1. Refund  or 2.  Switch to a different class

No.  Exceptions made for service animals but not for emotional support pets.

Occasionally, we have a lot going on at the studio and parking is an issue.  If you cannot find a space to park in the QCC lot, additional parking is available next door at the Matlock Electric facility or across the street at the Cohen Recycling facility.

Yes.  QCC has two accessible entrances from the main parking lot: one for the Retail Store and one for the Main Studio.  Within QCC, bathrooms are wheelchair accessible.  We even have an accessible wheel specifically for wheelchairs.

Check for items you left behind on the LOST and FOUND shelf by the teacher station.  The shelf is cleared after each class session (about every 8 weeks) and items are donated.

We no longer provide the service of making kid’s prints in slabs.  These pieces often crack or warp in the kiln and the customer, of course, is very disappointed.   We recommend bringing your little ones into the pottery painting studio and printing their hands/feet on a pre-made bisque piece with glaze for the best results.

No.  We suggest you arrange that with a fellow participant in the class ahead of time.

Yes! but we only instruct events for groups with special needs in person, at our studio.  Sorry, but we cannot instruct the event at your site.  Our trained instructors are available on weekdays during the day.  Contact the Special Events Coordinator to schedule.

Yes.  We need at least 6 scouts to schedule either a wheel or hand building event.  The cost is $35 per participant (2 hour class).  For wheel instruction (older scouts) or hand building (younger scouts), the participants can expect to make 1-2 pieces (usually a small cylinder or bowl).  They choose a glaze for each piece, we fire the pieces, you get a call/email approximately 2-3 wks. later to pickup.  Instructors guide them through the entire process, incorporating elements needed to earn a pottery badge, if needed. Contact the Special Events Coordinator to schedule.

We offer regularly scheduled open enrollment wheel and hand building classes.  They are 2 hours and cost $50 per participant.  We also offer 8 week classes if you’re looking for something more long term.  Open Wheel classes are held on Friday and Saturday evenings.  You can register online with the link below.

ADULT OPEN WHEEL (must be at least 18 yrs): https://queen-city-clay-623736.shoplightspeed.com/adult-open-wheel-57056470.html

Open Family Hand building and Family Wheel classes are held monthly.  You can register online with the links below.

FAMILY OPEN WHEEL: https://queen-city-clay-623736.shoplightspeed.com/family-open-wheel-41582453.html

FAMILY ONE DAY CLAY (HAND BUILDING): https://queen-city-clay-623736.shoplightspeed.com/family-one-day-clay.html

Once we receive your completed event form we will start looking for instructors for your group.  QCC is not primarily an event space, so we don’t have instructors at the ready for parties.  We do, however, have a cadre of highly talented and knowledgeable ceramic instructors.  It is important to fill out the form as completely as possible so we can pair you with the best instructor for your group!  Once a match is made, we will contact you via email to confirm a date and time, officially get you on our calendar, and coordinate any additional details.  If we don’t hear back from you within one week of sending this email, we will assume you no longer want the event and cannot hold your spot.  Your event will also be cancelled if we don’t receive payment 14 business days prior to the date your event is scheduled.

Please Read the Cancellation Policies:  https://queen-city-clay-623736.shoplightspeed.com/service/general-terms-conditions/

Once we receive your completed event form we will start looking for instructors for your group.  QCC is not primarily an event space, so we don’t have instructors at the ready for parties.  We do, however, have a cadre of highly talented and knowledgeable ceramic instructors.  It is important to fill out the form as completely as possible so we can pair you with the best instructor for your group!  Once a match is made, we will contact you via email to confirm a date and time, officially get you on our calendar, and coordinate any additional details.  If we don’t hear back from you within one week of sending this email, we will assume you no longer want the event and cannot hold your spot.  Your event will also be cancelled if we don’t receive payment 14 business days prior to the date your event is scheduled.

Please Read the Cancellation Policies:  https://queen-city-clay-623736.shoplightspeed.com/service/general-terms-conditions/

You can submit a PRIVATE EVENT REQUEST FORM found on our QCC website. You can find the available days and times in our special event form by following this link also found at the bottom of the event request form page:  https://www.queencityclay.com/play/private-parties-and-group-events

NOTE:  We require at least two weeks advance notification to schedule events for at least 6 people (dependent on instructor availability).

No

We offer regularly scheduled open enrollment wheel and hand building classes.  They are 2 hours and cost $50 per participant.  We also offer 8 week classes if you’re looking for something more long term.  Open Wheel classes are held on Friday and Saturday evenings.  You can register online with the link below.

ADULT OPEN WHEEL (must be at least 18 yrs): https://queen-city-clay-623736.shoplightspeed.com/adult-open-wheel-57056470.html

Open Family Hand building and Family Wheel classes are held monthly.  You can register online with the links below.

FAMILY OPEN WHEEL: https://queen-city-clay-623736.shoplightspeed.com/family-open-wheel-41582453.html

FAMILY ONE DAY CLAY (HAND BUILDING): https://queen-city-clay-623736.shoplightspeed.com/family-one-day-clay.html

Please arrive fifteen minutes before your event and wear comfy clothes that can get dirty (the clay washes out, don’t worry).  Also, tie back hair and clip nails.  Participants are guided through the process and make 1-2 pieces (small cylinder, bowl, vase, etc).

The cost of clay events includes firing of 1 piece.  Pick your best!  Extra pieces may be fired at a cost of $7 each.  Participants will choose from a selection of glazes for their clay pieces, which are left at QCC for firing.  They will be dried, fired, glazed, fired again and ready for pick up about 4 weeks from your event date.

You will receive an email when your pieces are ready for pick up.

Handbuilding involves using slabs of clay or clay coils to make mugs, planters, bowls, vases, etc. Participants are guided through the process of making a unique pottery piece.  Ages 6+ yrs. for classes labeled “family” & 18+ for classes labeled “adult”.  A private hand building event for a minimum of 6 people is two hours and $60 per person.   Maximum number for hand building is 20.

Wheel throwing involves making a clay piece on a pottery wheel.  Participants are guided step by step through the wheel throwing process.  Participants will make 1-2 pieces (small bowl, dish, vase) under the direction of an instructor(s).   Ages 7+ yrs. for classes labeled “family” & 18+ for classes labeled “adult”.

A private wheel event for a minimum of 6 people is two hours and $60 per person.   Maximum number on the wheels is 36.

Hand building participants will make a specific project (ex: mug, planter, candle holder).  This is slower paced than the wheel and allows for flexibility when forming the shape.  Also a good choice for participants who are younger or lack the upper body strength needed for the wheel.

-Wheel throwing involves making a clay piece on a pottery wheel and requires certain hand and upper body strength.  While no wheel experience is necessary, wheel throwing can be challenging to beginners.  We guarantee that all participants will make a piece, and probably end up with a small bowl or cylinder shaped pot.  Don’t come with an idea in mind if it’s your first time!  It takes lots of practice.

-Pottery painting accommodates most everyone.

For all three types of events, participants are guided step by step through the entire process under the direction of our exceptional instructor(s).

You may bring a cooler with drinks.  We don’t recommend eating while throwing.   If you want a spread of food, you can rent the party room where there are tables and seating to eat/drink before or after event.  Click on this link for more info:  https://www.queencityclay.com/play/private-parties-and-group-events/

Pottery painting parties are held in the QCC Retail Store area equipped with tables, chairs, pottery pieces and painting supplies.  Participants select a piece of already-fired bisque ware and apply 3 coats of glaze.  A large selection of bisque ware is readily available for you to design, paint, and personalize.  Our instructors will be there to help guide you and show you some special painting techniques. Once glazed, the pieces are kiln-fired.  Allow 3 weeks for pieces to be fired and ready for pickup.  Ages 5+ yrs.

A minimum of 6 and maximum of 24 people are permitted for an instructor-led event.  If you have a group smaller than 6, we recommend that you “walk in” and paint your pieces during QCC Retail hours of operation.  Current retail hours are posted in the footer of our website.  Note, they differ from "studio hours".

6-10 people- $90 (one time fee for the group to pay for instructor) + the price of bisque for each individual

11-24 people- $150 (one time fee for the group to pay for instructors) + the price of bisque for each individual

(bisque pieces range from $8-$50)

Here is a link for more information:  https://www.queencityclay.com/play/paint/

Contact the QCC events coordinator.

Yes.  There is a separate table in the pottery area for a birthday cake, snacks, drinks, etc. but we don’t recommend eating or drinking at the glazing tables.

Yes.  You may arrive 15 minutes before the event to set up.  We ask that you not bring confetti, glitter, action-themed party favors like rockets, flying toys, bouncing toys, wheeled toys, slime, etc.  The Pottery Painting studio is located within the QCC Retail Store with numerous pieces of pottery and other fragile items displayed.

Bisque ware (pieces that you are glazing) takes anywhere from 1 - 2 hours depending on the complexity of the piece and the ability of the participant.  If individuals in your party finish early and get bored, have some sedentary activities on hand (coloring books, stickers, books, etc) to occupy them (mostly applies to kids).  Children are not permitted outside the pottery painting area unless supervised by an adult other than the instructor.

We have a “Not-Finished” shelf for folks who don’t complete their work and need additional time to paint.  If the work sits untouched for 1 month, we will call and/or email to notify you that you have 4 weeks (from the notification date) to come in and claim/finish the work or it will be recycled.  There’s just not enough space to store work-in-progress pieces indefinitely.

We have a wide selection of bisque ware pieces ranging in price from $6-$20 and up. While we have staple pieces usually in stock (mugs, plates, dishes), our bisque selection is constantly changing. We do not have a visual catalog of the items, but you are more than welcome to stop in the retail store and look at our selection.  We have many items specifically for young kids (unicorn themed, rainbow themed, animal themed, fairy themed, emoji themed, flower themed…) as well as for adults (mugs, vases, plates, bowls, etc.). The photo below shows some of our regularly rotating stock.

Certainly.  You must pay for the bisque ware ahead of time if you want us to hold it or you until your event.  Refunds not issued for unused pieces.

The pottery painting area is located within the QCC Retail Store.  Loud music would be a distraction to QCC employees and customers.  Music is usually playing in the Retail Store anyway for your enjoyment.

Yes.  There is a gender neutral, accessible restroom in the Pottery Painting area.