Visiting Artist Inivte From Rain City Clay

The invitation:

We invite you, as a visiting artist, to step into the rhythm of Rain City Clay—where making is both a personal practice and part of a larger studio ecosystem. This short-term residency offers dedicated space within a working community of artists and students, with kilns firing, classes in motion, and a steady creative energy around you, while you remain focused on your own work. In exchange for sharing your knowledge at RCC, caring for the space, and moving thoughtfully within the studio, you’ll have access to the space, tools, and the infrastructure that supports consistent making and community engagement. This program is best suited for self-directed artists who value both independence and being part of a respectful, fun studio environment.

The Basics

You have been invited because we enjoy your work and you!

We would like to invite you to use the RCC Visiting Artists Studio Space for 1-3 months. In exchange for this, we would like a proposal from you of a one or two day workshop that you will lead for our community. Please also have a general goal in mind for the work you would like to create during this time period.

At RCC we fire to cone 6 in oxidation (in the gas kiln) and bisque to cone 06 (in the electric).

Read about past visiting artists here!


Visiting Artist Program Overview

Our Community Expectations

  • Use your studio! (~20 hours a week minimum)

  • Participate in studio communication (Our in-house App: Clay Q&A)

  • Follow RCC’s Code of Conduct

  • Contribute positively to the studio environment and energy

  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe workspace at RCC

  • Be respectful and mindful of shared space and fellow artists

    Use headphones for media and minimize disruptions

  • Contribute to shared studio upkeep (kitchen, reclaim, tools, etc.)

  • Secure the building when leaving (locks, lights, kilns, appliances)

  • Report any safety concerns or suspicious activity

  • Follow all studio policies and local health guidelines

What You Are Given: Studio Use & Access

  • Dedicated visiting artist studio space with 24/7 access.

  • Access to RCC Glaze Lab.
    Artists provide their own buckets and pay for materials at cost.

  • Free firings in class firings at RCC. Staff manage loading and unloading of work. We request you help loading your own work into these kilns.

  • Shared use of spray booth, slab roller, and extruder during non-class times

  • Use of a pottery wheel, table, & shelving in the visiting artist studio at RCC.

  • Your studio work needs to remain within RCC visiting artist studio.

  • RCC will promote you and your work on our platforms in the same manner > newsletter, website, social media. Please be willing to send materials to our Marketing Team.

What you provide

  • Educational opportunity about your process to the RCC Community for 20 people.

  • Communicate with staff about goals for firings.

  • Help load your work into community firings.

  • Artists provide their own tools, clay, glazes, and personal supplies

  • Independent lessons available for glaze mixing if desired

  • Must use approved clays in shared equipment areas
    (RCC does not use high iron clays in community areas)

  • Visiting artists manage their own reclaim.

  • We request that you share your participation at RCC in a supportive, professional way.

Studio Policies

  • No subletting or unapproved sharing of space

  • Visitors, pets, and guests require prior approval

  • No hazardous materials or unsafe equipment (e.g., open flames, space heaters)

  • No unlawful or disruptive behavior

Agreement Terms

  • 15 days’ notice required for cancellation by either party

  • Visiting Artist will sign paper agreement and have an orientation of the studio

  • Studio must be clean and ready for the next artist upon completion of your time at RCC.


Next Steps

Several folks about being invited. RCC will coordinate folks to try and use the space efficiently as well as provide a diverse array of makers to introduce our community to.

  • Email or Call Deb Schwartzkopf with questions: 206-673-6454 or info@raincityclay.com

  • Fill out the form below and start the process!