4Cats Nanaimo Art Studio

Workshop FAQs

◄How do workstations work?

Everyone creates their own piece. 1 workstation for 2 people means that you each create an art piece, but share a table. 

◄Do you require masks?

Masks are optional, but encouraged at this time, however, if requirements change, they may become mandatory again. 

◄How often do the projects change?

There are 4-8 new projects each month.

New projects are announced on the first of each month for the following month. For example, November workshops will be announced on October 1st.

◄How do I book?

Simply book on the workshop pages. If you are booking a repeat visit that falls outside the original month you booked simply choose "glazing" from the side menu of any workshop. You have 30 days from the original booking to complete your project. Projects must be picked up within 2 weeks of the end of the 30 day period. Storage space limited.

◄Can I book for a workshop party or get-together?

Just enjoying an afternoon at the studio, getting a group of friends together to celebrate, booking the whole studio for your team, or just enjoying some family time. Whatever you need! Please note, the studio is a communal space so make sure to book a spot for anyone attending and know that there will be other people in the studio unless you book the whole studio. Please make sure to look at the workshop timelines in the project descriptions and note if minimum times are required to complete the project.

◄What happens when we arrive?

It is good to be approximately 5-10 minutes early so you can get started on time. When you arrive you will be greeted by an instructor and then seated as soon as possible. The instructor will bring you the materials you need to get started and walk you through important information regarding the medium you have chosen.  If you have questions or need an instructor to demo a technique, the instructors will be circling around the room to help. 

◄What happens if I need more time?

You can book more time at a minimum rate of $15 per hour. In your original booking, book extra time if you are chatty. :) If you under book, we cannot guarantee you will be able to extend your booking on that same day. But no big deal! Just come back another day! Please note, no credits or refunds for unused time.

◄How do the instructions work?

We are a creative space for you to socialize, relax and work at your own pace. The instructors will be circling the room if you have questions. This way you can work at your own pace, socialize on your own time and get as much or as little help as you need.

◄Do you offer walk-ins?

Sure, if there is space but… there is likely not space so … maybe just book. :)

◄Can I just take the materials home to finish?

Sorry, we do not offer this option. Please follow recommended time bookings for every project.

◄How much time should I book?

Each workshop is offered for 1 month and they fill REALLY fast. So if you see a time you want, we recommend booking asap. :)

Once you get in the studio and start creating you will see it is like a time warp! Time flies when you are having fun! As you would expect, it is really hard to know exactly how much time you will need. Every artist is different and often you may want to practice a bit before making your final piece.

But! You don’t have to complete the project in one sitting. In fact, some cannot be completed in one day. Often clay needs to be fired in the kiln before you can glaze (paint) your art. Each project has a recommended booking time and how many visits are required in the description.

Book as many days and times as you like. You have 1 month to finish each project. We will hold the project for up to 30 days from the first time you booked. After this time the step by steps and instructions will no longer be available.

*Projects must be picked up within 2 weeks after the 30 day booking period.

◄Can I make whatever I want?

Everyone needs to stick to the project they choose from the menu & follow the sizing guidelines.

◄What are your policies?

Please read here.

◄Do you have Gift Cards?

Yep—here!

◄About Clay Workshops

Sometimes things happen …

• Sometimes clay breaks, it just does—pieces fall off
• Sometimes things move in the kiln and there may be a mark on your piece
• Sometimes glaze doesn’t behave as expected
• Sometimes art takes more time than you may think, we time things as well as we can
• Sometimes instructors get ill, and we need to run with less staff than planned
• Sometimes it takes a while to find the information from a gift card from many years ago
• A child will cry, be loud or not listen. They do that. They are all good. Parents are trying their best
• You will need to follow the templates and sizing, too big means more kiln or storage space, too small means likely to get lost
• Extra time is billed by the hour minimum at a rate of $15/hr 
• If you don’t write your first and last name and the date clearly on your piece, expect for it to get lost or mistakenly picked up by another with the same name
• Adults—The workshops are for fun and social time. It is not a replacement for art school.
• Sometimes we have to throw out art if it is not picked up within 2 weeks
• Sometimes it may take a minute or two to find your art piece
• Sometimes there are mixups
• Sometimes your name may get covered in the firing process
• We will fire things in the kiln as quickly as we possibly can. We need a full load to run the kiln and sometimes things need to dry extra time before they can be placed in the kiln or they will explode
• Sometimes clay explodes
• We are not Walmart with unlimited resources, art supply costs are really high, rent is high, shipping is high, overhead is high, we may be able to offer a credit in some cases like clay breakage, but if you miss your workshop or call 10 mins before to cancel, the space was still set aside for you and we cannot offer a refund or credit.
• You will need to make just the maximum number of pieces when we specify
• If you overwork the clay or add too much water it will cave in or crack. Follow the time guidelines and instructions as best you can.
• If you have never done art before, you will need to practice and accept it won’t be perfect on your first try. Come back many times, practice and enjoy the process.
• If you are late, yes, it will feel like there was not enough time.
• We cannot answer the phone and it is not financially feasible to have an admin person. We have the phone for emergencies. Please use the chat on our website. We check this as often as possible. Please don’t send a chat and an email. We promise we will get back to you.
• Please don’t call/chat/email to see if your art is ready for pick up—clay is generally ready 1 week after making or 1 week after glazing. If there is a delay, we'll contact you—we promise! 
• You will absolutely need to wear a mask when not at your station or when purchasing kits or supplies in the studio. Let’s all stay healthy.

◄Can I glaze more than one thing at a time?

You are welcome to glaze multiple items at a time. Glazing time is $15/hr. You can glaze more than one piece during your glazing booking, time permitting.

For example, if you book an hour glazing, and can finish glazing 2 pieces from 2 different building or throwing sessions in that hour glazing session—that is great!

Please understand in order to cover professional glaze and second firing costs we are not able to credit or refund unused time if you are able to finish glazing early.

◄Can the studio glaze the item for me?

Yes, $17 per piece plus tax if you would like us to glaze your clay for you. This is not available for hand glazed, decorative pieces.

◄About Oven-Bake Clay Workshops

Sometimes things happen …

• We use Ditto Polymer Clay, which is an incredibly malleable oven-bake clay that comes in many colours
• Oven baking hardens the creations, making them durable and long-lasting
• Sometimes however, if not handled well, oven-bake polymer clay can break, pieces can fall off. It is not a toy even though it can look like it! If handled roughly it will break.
• Sometimes art takes more time than you may think, we time things as well as we can
• You cannot take materials home to finish the workshop
• You will need to follow the sizing and project guidelines
• Extra time is billed by the hour minimum at a rate of $15/hr 
• There is no credit for finishing early 
• If you don’t write your first and last name and the date clearly on your piece, expect for it to get lost or mistakenly picked up by another with the same name
• Sometimes we have to throw out art if it is not picked up within 2 weeks
• We cannot answer the phone and it is not financially feasible to have an admin person. We have the phone for emergencies. Please use the chat on our website. We check this as often as possible. Please don’t send a chat and an email. We promise we will get back to you.
• Please don’t call/chat/email to see if your art is ready for pick up—clay is generally ready a few days after making. If there is a delay, we'll contact you—we promise! 
• You will absolutely need to wear a mask. Let’s all stay healthy.

◄Dress For Mess

We are an art studio and paint can be lurking around any corner and jump on you. We use professional materials and art supplies which means paint may stain clothing, shoes and jackets. Bare feet (or socks without shoes) are not permitted anywhere in the studio. We do do not provide footwear or shoe covers. Please wear appropriate footwear. We are not responsible for damage to clothing or personal belongings. Please leave the ball gowns and tuxedos at home.