Frequently Asked Questions
All the answers you need about Guild offerings, policies, processes, and ways to get involved.
Subscribe to our email list to stay in touch and learn about upcoming classes, workshops, and events. The sign up can be found on the home page.
The Guild does not have any established operating hours. Correspondence is through email only. We are a non-profit, community-based member run organization.
We do not offer studio tours. Candidates for studio membership will be given a tour when a membership space opens up for their consideration.
MPG has two sales each year – Spring and Fall. Subscribe to our mailing list to be notified of upcoming sales.
Non-members are invited to join us for one meeting to discover more about the Guild and how we operate. Email us to let us know you are interested in coming to a monthly meeting and we will send you information about our next meeting.
The Guild is located in a plaza which provides ample parking.
The Guild does not offer firing services to non-members. We do not rent out individual kilns or rent out space in the kilns.
Our studio is not available for private events, birthday parties, team building or corporate events, on or off premises.
All payments are made online. The Guild does not accept cheques or cash.
HST is applied to all fees and purchases.
We do not sell gift certificates.
We do not offer repairs for ceramic pieces.
The Guild does not accept commission work. However, some of our members sell their work or accept commissions. Check out our Members Gallery to see if any members may have posted their contact information and reach out to the members(s) to inquire and make private arrangements.
General and studio membership fees are paid annually in full and are non-refundable.
There is no criteria to be welcomed as a General Member. Check out our Membership page to learn more.
Anyone interested in a General Membership simply needs to click the apply button from our Membership page, enter their information and pay the fees. Membership will be activated immediately upon payment.
Candidates must demonstrate the experience required to be able to work independently in the studio. Only candidates who have the following criteria can apply for Studio Membership:
Have taken at least 3 X 10 week classes with Mississauga Potters’ Guild or elsewhere
or
Demonstrate equivalent ceramic experience
A $75 initiation fee will apply to new members who have not taken classes with the Mississauga Potters’ Guild.
Candidates that meet the eligibility criteria can simply click the apply button for Studio Membership found on the Membership page, and complete the application to join the waitlist. Once a spot becomes available candidates from the waitlist will be contacted to confirm if they are still interested in Studio Membership. If interested they will be invited to meet the Membership Coordinator at the studio to tour the facilities and consider the offer of membership.
Resident Artists must meet the same criteria as Studio members and also demonstrate an ability to work independently and apply online to be considered when a space becomes available.
Only Resident Artist fees are paid monthly. All other membership fees are paid in full on an annual basis.
The Guild is a non-profit community based organization run by and for its Members. All Studio and Resident Artists are required to contribute time to the operation of the Guild by joining a committee, a team or serving on the Board to help run events including sales, exhibitions and classes, etc. Cleaning of the studio is also shared by all Studio and Resident Artist members.
Studio access may be restricted during specific Guild functions. The Board will endeavour to provide as much notice as possible when this occurs.
Memberships run from January 1 to December 31st.
Studio memberships will be prorated after the first month of the year. General memberships are not prorated, however, General memberships purchased after October 1st will be extended to December 31st the following year.
Studio and Resident Artist spots are filled from the waitlist when a space becomes available. Membership renews on January 1st. Eligible applicants are offered spots if any open up at this time. Occasionally spots open up mid-year.
The wait list is long and only a few spots open up each year. It may take up to a couple of years.
That is difficult to say. The list is always changing as potential applicants are accepted, change their mind and ask to be removed from the waitlist or decline membership when contacted.
You will be eligible to join the waitlist once you have completed 3 X 10 week classes.
Email info@mississaugapotters.com to let us know and we will remove you from the waitlist.
Classes are offered 4 times per year – Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
For adult classes, you must cancel at least 14 days prior to the class start date AND someone from the waitlist must take the spot in the class for a refund minus a $100 cancellation fee to be processed.
Unfortunately, any cancellations received 13 or fewer days prior to the class start date are not eligible for refunds.
Registration can be transferred prior to the class start date to: another class in the same session if space is available or to a friend or family member.
A full refund will be given for any class that the Guild cancels due to low enrolment or another unforeseen circumstance.
We do not offer private lessons. We offer group classes in Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall as well as Open Studio throughout the year.
All available classes for the session run at the same time. No additional classes are anticipated at this time.
Once a class is full, no additional spots will be added. Sometimes a spot becomes available if a registered member has to withdraw. You can add your name to the waitlist for the individual class you are interested in. If any openings become available, they will be filled from the waitlist on a first-come-first-serve basis.
At this time, these two transactions cannot be combined into one transaction. Purchase General membership first and then register for the class to receive the membership class rate.
Classes are suitable for skills ranging from absolute beginners up to and including intermediate level potters. Our experienced instructors will adjust their curriculum according to skill level and interest.
Everyone is welcome. Guild members receive a discounted rate on class fees. Take a look at our Membership page to learn about the benefits of membership.
Adult Classes are open to anyone 18 years or older. Youth Clay Camps are offered to youth 10-17 years old.
There are no make-up options for unattended classes.
We offer Youth Clay Camp(s) for ages 10-17 years during the summer. Information and registration details are posted in the Spring.
We offer Open Studio throughout the year. Visit our Open Studio page to learn more and subscribe to our mailing list to receive notice of the Open Studio sessions being offered this year.
Open Studio is the perfect opportunity to experience clay. Visit our Open Studio page to learn more.
Fees are posted on the website under Adult Class page.
We do not offer pre-registration. Classes are offered on a first come – first serve basis and fill up quickly. Plan to sign up when registration opens. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive notice of when registration will be opened for the next class session.
No we don’t. Please consider our Open Studio which is open to anyone 8 years or older. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Select the Class session you are interested in and if the session is full you will have the option to subscribe to the waitlist.
We do not offer pre-registration. Classes are offered on a first come – first serve basis and fill up quickly. To find out when registration begins check our website or subscribe to our mailing list to receive notice of when registration will be opened for the next class or Open Studio session. Plan to sign up once registration opens to enroll in the class of your choice.
We do not offer private events, birthday parties, team building or corporate events, on or off the premises.
Many factors go into calculating our class fees. Our class fees are reviewed regularly to make sure we cover all the costs required to deliver classes including; clay, instructor fees, firing, glazes, studio equipment and operating costs.
Wheel and hand building skills are taught in class. Instructors will adjust their instruction according to skill level and interest.
Unfortunately you can only register one spot per email address. Any additional attendees will need to register using their own information.
At the time of registration, parents can register more than one youth per class.
The minimum age for adult classes is 18 years old. We recommend a Youth Summer Camp for your child or you can both register for our Open Studio together.
Workshop fees are non-refundable but can be transferred. The onus is on the registrant to find a person to replace them in a workshop.
Workshops are offered to members first. If space is still available, registration is opened to the public. Take a look at our Membership page to learn about the benefits of membership.
Workshop fees vary and are posted when any new workshop is being offered.
Open Studio Fees are non-refundable but are transferable to a friend or family member. Participants need to bring a copy of the payment confirmation to be admitted.
Yes. Spaces are limited and only registered participants can join the session.
Fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another session but can be transferred for the same day to a family or friend if you are not able to attend.
Participants will receive enough clay to make a maximum of 3 small pieces. Samples and ideas are provided. Leaders will review your plan to make sure you can make the item(s) successfully within the time provided.
All pieces must be finished in the session. At the end of the session you will be able to choose your glaze.
Fees are posted on the website on the Open Studio page.
Any unused clay remains the property of the Guild and cannot be taken home.
Participants age 14 and older can register for Open Studio independently without parental supervision.
Participants age 8-14 years old must be accompanied by a paid participant who is 18 years or older and available to supervise the youth.
Finished work will be bisqued (fired in the kiln) and then dipped in glaze and fired a second time. The finished work will be coated with a food safe glaze (dishwasher and microwave safe).
Yes. You can choose a glaze for each piece from a selection of studio glazes.
Clay shrinks during the firing process and will be approximately 15% smaller when it is complete.
Participants age 10 and above can use the wheel if there is a Studio Lead available to instruct and supervise.
Open Studio Sessions are planned approximately once per month. Upcoming dates will be posted on the website and announced by email to our subscribers. Subscribe to the mailing list to receive notice of when registration will be opened for the next session.
Only paid participants are allowed in the studio during Open Studio.
All work is first bisque fired, glazed and fired again. This process takes 4-6 weeks. Pieces will generally be ready for pickup at the next Open Studio session the following month.
You will be notified by the Open Studio Team when your work will be available for pickup. Generally work is available 1 month later, at the next Open Studio session.
If the FAQs do not answer your question or if you need additional support, email us at info@mississaugapotters.com and we will be in touch to help
