Work-Trade Apprenticeships and Teaching Artist Opportunities
POTTERY ELVES
Responsibilities: Don’t let the nickname for this role in any way diminish the critical importance of what Elves contribute. As an Elf, you keep the studio humming along by ushering greenware, bisque ware and glaze ware along the path. You also assist with clay reclaim/wedging/pugging, glaze mixing and light housekeeping. Time = 2.5-10 hours per week. Specialty Elf roles: Other key behind-the-scenes tasks such as bookkeeping, social media management or inventory management also qualify for time-trade studio access as outlined below. Individual trade agreements will be signed to adequately compensate for the effort.
Benefits: This work-trade role affords you access to participate in a weekly group class for free. For example, if you work during the Monday night class, you may elect to participate in the Wednesday or Thursday night class. You have access to the same amount of clay and firing space that is allocated for the class you select.
STUDIO TECHS/TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Responsibilities: Like Pottery Elves, Techs/TAs handle ware, reclaim, glazes and housekeeping duties. In addition, however, you may be trained to unload (and possibly even load and program) the kiln and, most importantly, you cheerfully and patiently assist the Lead Instructor to welcome the class participants, set them up for success and aid them with proper cleanup protocol.
Benefits: As with Elves, work during an assigned class is traded for time one can play during another class or open studio time each week. Techs/TAs have a small shelf for supplies and ware and are issued a weekly firing allowance. In addition, they can earn hourly pay for up to 2.5 hours for each class to which they are assigned. As a Tech/TA, one may work toward facilitating workshops and classes of one’s own.
LEAD INSTRUCTORS
Responsibilities: Leads work closely with the Creative Director to plan, promote and facilitate high-quality wheel-thrown pottery classes in which participants feel welcome, supported and appreciated. You are the patient, smiling ambassadors of Still Point Clay Atelier who tirelessly answer questions and rescue failing pots for new and returning potters. You arrive 30 minutes before the start to make sure everything is in place, and stay up to 30 minutes after to ensure ware is in the proper place and cleanup is thorough and complete. You may also aid the Director with unloading, loading and programing the kiln.
Benefits: Lead facilitators may take advantage of open studio time. They have a shelf for supplies and ware, a locker for clay and tools and are issued a weekly firing allowance. In addition, they earn hourly pay for each class they teach.
​