What Does a Studio Cost?
If you are inclined toward setting up a studio of your own there are lots of things to consider.
First of all, you need space, preferably heated and wet light, with a utility sink and a 220 volt line, 50 or 60 amps, if you want an electric kiln.
Aside from the kiln, you’ll need tables, shelving, and a wheel or slab roller. You may also need canvas, bats, clay tools, a wedging table, buckets, brushes, an electric mixer, sieves, and maybe spraying equipment.
Then there is the kiln. It should be isolated and vented to the outside. Plus you still need kiln shelves and posts.
If you are handy and have minimal requirements, excluding the kiln you are looking at between 1000 and 2000 dollars. If not, you are closer 3000 dollars.
Kilns:
Gas kilns are out of the question. You need commercial or industrial zoning and prices start at $45,000.
Electric kilns are easy and way cheeper. Note: they are more efficient to load and fire if they are 10 or 12 bricks around the diameter, so try to avoid anything with less than 10 bricks. A standard hight is 27 inches tall on the inside (although some are 23 or 31 inches). I think a 1027 kiln is ideal for a serious beginner. That is 10 bricks and 27 inches high inside.
For glaze firings you should definitely have a kiln with a computer controller. Most used kilns don’t have them. If you are looking at a kiln without computer controls, don’t pay more that $150, because it will cost over $1000 to convert it, and it may have bad elements and other issues. Plan on an exhaust system and a window above the kiln.
The number of shelves and post you need will depend on the size of the work you plan to make. Putting in a 220 like may cost about 300 dollars. A kiln, shelves and posts is maybe 3000 or more dollars.
Glazes are relatively easy. As a beginner, you’ll probably want to fire to cone 6. Cone 8 and 10 glazes are not often sold pre-mixed. Lots of places sell good cone 6 glazes, already dry mixed in a bag. You just need to add water and sieve them. They are way more expensive than buying raw materials and mixing your own, but it is way easier and requires less knowledge and skill, so they are probably worth the extra money. You probably don’t have any glaze recipes anyway, and even if you did they would need to be tested. I strongly suggest when you meet a potter and like their glazes, you ask if they will share some information with you, like the manufacture of the glaze, its name, and what other glazes it looks good in with in overlaps and combinations. Note: pints of wet glazes are super expensive. You can price all this stuff on the web.
Wheels are 600 to 2000 dollars.
So there you have it. If you have the space and money, go for it!
You can’t do much for under 1500 dollars, and a great studio can be done for under 7000
So Why Bother?
In the long run a studio is cheeper than classes.
You have more control your time.
Your only size limit is the size of you kiln.
You control the drying and so adding parts, handles, sections, etc , is much much better than in a classroom.
If you plan on selling your work you don’t belong in a classroom. You need a production setting.
Maybe you want to be at home with your family?
Maybe you just like to work alone with your music as company, or even watch a movie as you work?
Maybe you are part way there, and have the space, or maybe even a wheel already.
Maybe you want more control, and less limits.
Additional Thoughts by Dan Vito
If you read all this, there are some more thoughts. Read More