Clay is Community
Welcome to the Rapid City Arts Council's Open Pottery Studio (OPS), where creativity takes shape in your hands! Our pottery studio is a vibrant community space, fully equipped for ceramic exploration. Whether you're a seasoned ceramicist or a beginner eager to get your hands dirty, OPS is the perfect place for you.
THE STUDIO
Equipment: two pottery room with a total of 13 pottery wheels, two kilns, a slab roller, an extruder, large work tables, two wedging tables, basic potter/ceramic tools, and storage lockers assigned to you.
Professional Assistance: Our trained ceramic technician is on hand to assist and guide you through your creative journey.
Firing Services: We use high-fire clay and fire to cone 6. Our technician will fire your creations, ensuring your masterpieces come to life.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Inclusive Access: Enjoy unlimited access to pottery studio tools, equipment, and resources.
Firing Fees Included: All firing fees are covered by your membership.
Storage Space: Access to one (1) locker for your convenience. Additional locker space is available for purchase.
Discounts: Rapid City Arts Council Members and OPS Volunteers receive exclusive membership discounts.
To participate in OPS:
OPS schedule:
THE STUDIO
Equipment: two pottery room with a total of 13 pottery wheels, two kilns, a slab roller, an extruder, large work tables, two wedging tables, basic potter/ceramic tools, and storage lockers assigned to you.
Professional Assistance: Our trained ceramic technician is on hand to assist and guide you through your creative journey.
Firing Services: We use high-fire clay and fire to cone 6. Our technician will fire your creations, ensuring your masterpieces come to life.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Inclusive Access: Enjoy unlimited access to pottery studio tools, equipment, and resources.
Firing Fees Included: All firing fees are covered by your membership.
Storage Space: Access to one (1) locker for your convenience. Additional locker space is available for purchase.
Discounts: Rapid City Arts Council Members and OPS Volunteers receive exclusive membership discounts.
To participate in OPS:
- First-time users must have completed either the RCAC Pottery Foundations (hand-building) or Beginner's Pottery Wheel Throwing class.
- Current participants or past participants who have taken classes or been enrolled in OPS within the last year, may renew their OPS Membership by simply re-enrolling. Go to our upcoming classes page, and select "Memberships."
- OPS members and volunteers must sign a pottery studio agreement and guidelines form. Forms available at Bruce H. Lien Cultural Café & Gallery front desk.
- Membership discount is available to RCAC Members and OPS Volunteers.
- OPS Membership auto-renews on a monthly basis. If you start your membership on the 1st of the month, it will automatically renew on the 1st of the next month.
- To cancel a membership, simply contact our Education Director, Melissa Nelson | Email | 605-394-4101 x3.
OPS schedule:
- OPS hours are flexible and reflect times when OPS Volunteers and RCAC staff are available to supervise the pottery studio.
- RCAC education staff are typically on site Monday - Friday from 10am - 4pm.
- OPS Volunteers' schedules vary and are subject to change.
- It is strongly recommended that OPS participants check the OPS calendar above prior to coming into the studio.
- *Studio availability is subject to sudden change.
To schedule your OPS skills test, purchase an RCAC Membership, or become an OPS Volunteer, contact:
Melissa Nelson
Education Director
Email | 605-394-4101 x3
Melissa Nelson
Education Director
Email | 605-394-4101 x3