Membership

Joining the Club

Summer 24 Session enrollment is closed. Please fill out the membership application to be notified about future openings. Previous experience working independently in a ceramics studio is required.

Membership to the CUPC is session-based. There are three sessions per year—Spring, Summer, and Fall. The membership fee is $160 per session. Cash or checks are accepted. Due to the finite size of our studio and high rate of current member retention, a limited amount of spaces may be available for new members each term. New member enrollment begins at the start of each session. If you are interested in joining the club and have previous experience working independently in a ceramics studio, fill out this application to be put on the waiting list to be contacted about possible openings.

2024 Session Schedule

Spring Session: 1/21 — 5/26, 2024

Summer Session: 5/27 — 9/22, 2024

Fall Session: 9/23, 2024 — 1/26, 2025

How the Membership Works

1. Membership fee and benefits

The current membership fee is $160 per session. This fee covers:

• 24/7 access to the studio

• house made and commercial glazes

• laguna stoneware clay

• kiln time

• personal shelf

• pottery tools

• wheels, slab roller, spray booth, etc

2. Orientation

Demonstrations of how to clean everything.

• How to properly use our materials and equipment. 

• Correct protocol for clay recycling. 

• Designated shelf space for storing your own personal items.

• Club by-laws, the CUPC constitution, and a list of all officers with their contact information. 

We encourage new members to ask questions throughout the tour! Our current members are more than willing to share their knowledge and experience. Additionally, a separate orientation can be scheduled for individual training on the spray booth upon request.

3. Club Duties

CUPC is a cooperative organization, meaning everything in this club—including studio maintenance, the process of pottery making, and club logistics—is handled entirely by its members. By applying to join the club, you acknowledge that you will be expected to help run the club by donating your time and following the instructions of your committee chairs. Here is a list of basic responsibilities you must perform upon joining the club.

Members’ Duties

CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF

The golden rule for cleaning in the studio is to leave it in a better state than when you found it. Our members should be able to work in the studio independently and clean up thoroughly when done. See our cleaning tutorial videos for more details.

Committee Services

Every member must serve on a committee and contribute at least two hours per month for the four months each session. New members are most often assigned to the Cleaning Committee or the Clay Committee.

MONTHLY MEETINGS AND DONATIONS

Members are encouraged to attend monthly meetings (on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Urbana Free Library) if at all possible. Each member must donate three finished ceramic pieces (or 10% of their total output, whichever is greater) to be sold by the Club and a minimum of 1 hour of service to the sales committee per term.

Amenities

Brent electric wheels

Spray booth

Cone 6 electric kiln

Wedging tables

Slab roller

Various glazes and underglazes

White, red, and brown speckle stoneware clay, raku clay

Clay working tools

Membership includes

• 24/7 access to full studio space

• Storage shelve

• Limited space for parking

• Inspiration from a vibrant community of creative peers