Membership Terms and Conditions
Kleistone Studio (Lombardo & Smallshaw GbR)
Updated 27th July 2023
Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions define the terms on which Kleistone Studio (Lombardo & Smallshaw GbR - “the Company”) provides the Services and allows a person to become a Member of the Studio. These Terms and Conditions apply to all Members of the Studio and to all applications for Membership of the Studio.
Please review these Terms and Conditions carefully and make sure that you understand them. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, you must not become a Member of the Studio or apply to become a Member of the Studio.
In the Terms and Conditions the following definitions apply:
“Membership” means membership of the Studio which includes the benefits and obligations set out in these Terms and Conditions; “Minimum Membership Period” is 3 calendar months for all membership levels. “Notice Period” means the notice period set out in the terms relevant to all contract options. The default notice period (where another period is not stated) is 1 calendar month (see below); “Application Form” means the online form to be completed by any person wishing to become a Member of the Studio; “Services” means all services provided by the Company at the Studio to Members as part of their Membership; “Workshop” means any organized and supervised session for which the Company may charge an additional fee; “Workshop Participant” refers to any Member or non-Member who is attending and paying for Workshop sessions; “Open Studio” refers to a period of time when non- members allowed to use the space; “Company” means Lombardo & Smallshaw GbR; “Member” means any person who has submitted an application for Membership and whose application has been accepted by the Company; “Session” means any period of time during which the Member uses the Studio; “Studio” means the Company’s Berlin-Kreuzberg space at Katzbachstraße 29, 10965 Berlin. “Terms and Conditions” means these terms and conditions. “Month” means the time from any day of one calendar month to the corresponding day of the next month.
The Company may at any time modify these Terms and Conditions. We will notify you of any changes to these Terms and Conditions either by emailing you and/or by posting a notice at the Studio. By continuing to use the Services after changes to these Terms and Conditions are made and notified to you, you agree to be bound by such changes.
You can review the most current version of our Terms and Conditions at any time by clicking on the “Terms and Conditions” link included in the email to you about your Membership. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are familiar with the current Terms and Conditions. You are advised to check the email inbox of the email address you have included in your application on a regular basis for any update regarding the Terms and Conditions.
Membership
A person shall only become a Member of the Studio when she/he/they have read and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.
At the discretion of Studio owners, unique membership contracts may be created to accommodate unique circumstances, such as visiting artists.
A new membership will always start on the 1st day of the month.
The Studio is for the time being exclusively for the use of members, aside from workshops or open-studio sessions.
Membership fees must be paid in accordance with these Terms and Conditions irrespective of whether or not the Member uses the Studios’ facilities.
Membership fees may be increased at the Company’s discretion. Members shall be given at least 1 month notice of any increase in Membership fees.
Cancellations must be made in accordance with the cancellation terms below.
Payments for Sessions and gift certificates in any amount are non- refundable unless otherwise stated in the Terms and Conditions. If a package is bought and only partially used there will be no refund available for the remaining Sessions.
Details of future Workshop or Open sessions pricings will be available either on the Website or directly from the Studio and will have such prices as determined by the Company, subject to change over time.
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Payment Terms
The Membership will continue indefinitely unless and until a Member cancels her/his/their Membership by written request to the Company. The written request must occur via email sent to info@kleistonestudio.com. The cancellation request must give a clear 1 month of notice to the end of the month in reference to when the membership began and must be sent in writing. The date must also be no earlier than the end of the Minimum Membership Period (3 months).
For example: a new member has joined from 1st of January. If she decides to cancel on the 15th of January, she must still pay for February and March, remaining a member through March, because she has given notice before the end of the Membership period of 3 months. The latest she could inform of her cancellation would be by February 28th, in order to end her membership immediately after the 3 month trial period and avoid paying for April.
Once a studio Member has been with Kleistone Studio for longer than the 3 months minimum period, he/she/they are able to cancel their membership with 1 month notice to the end of month of their membership. For example: if a membership starts on the 10th of the month, they can cancel by latest the 9th of July, in order for their contract to end by the 10th of August. If the cancellation is sent on July 10th, they would remain a member throughout August and the contact would end on September 9th.
No refunds shall be given to any Member in respect of any Membership fees that have already been paid. The Company reserves the right to cancel any Membership, if Studio rules and other Members are not respected.
If a Member does not pay their Membership fees for the Minimum Membership Period (or cancels his Membership during the Minimum Membership Period) then the Member is liable in full for the difference between the rolling monthly rate at the date of termination and the price paid by her/him under his subscription.
If a Member does not explicitly inform the Company that they are cancelling their Membership, and does not pay their Membership fee by the end of the first week of the month at the latest, they may be considered cancelled. In this case, all of their belongings may be removed from the studio by the Company, and they will no longer be a Member.
Each Member agrees and acknowledges that by agreeing to the Minimum Membership Period, she/he/they are being given preferential rates by the Company and therefore it is fair and reasonable that the Member is liable for the payments referred to above.
It is the responsibility of the Member to cancel any direct debit or standing order with her / his /their bank on termination of her / his / their Membership. The Company cannot be held liable for any payments processed due to the failure of a Member to cancel a direct debit or standing order.
Any Member who does not wish to accept a change proposed by Lombardo & Smallshaw GbR to any Membership fees may cancel her/his/their Membership by giving notice to the Company in accordance with the notice period. The Member giving notice must continue to pay his Membership fees at the rate current immediately prior to any proposed increase until the end of such notice period (or in the case of a Member whose Minimum Membership Period has not ended until the end of such period).
Memberships, once the contract is started, are non-transferable and cannot be shared. Once the membership has started, the cancellation policies apply.
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Clay, tools, glaze and kiln firing
The Company shall not be held responsible in respect of any particular Session, instructor and/or item of equipment not being available for whatever reason. The Company reserves in its sole and absolute discretion and without notice the right to make alterations to the identity of any instructor and/or the availability of any equipment. The Company shall not be liable for any loss occasioned by such alterations.
Members are allowed to use the tools made available in the common tools area. Members must return these tools, cleaned, in the common area after each session.
Kleistone Studio is a hand-building studio. We do have one wheel that members are able to access by booking the wheel using this calendar link: https://teamup.com/ksyz78wgkgf3bg21s9. The wheel can only be used during member opening hours. The wheel must be cleaned after use. Slurry generated while throwing must be disposed of in the reclaim buckets. If time on the wheel is booked and the member is not present within 20 minutes of the beginning of the session, the wheel will be made available to others. Care should be taken when using the wheel, as it is shared equipment.
Members are allowed to make reasonable use of raw materials (such as oxides, stains, etc) in the glaze room. If using such materials, Members must be properly prepared and know how to use them. When mixing glazes, members must first show the recipe to staff to ensure that it fits the firing temperature of the studio. Members must be wearing personal protection equipment, including a mask, when using raw materials. Members will be held responsible and liable for damage to equipment and other members’ work in case of damage.
Members can purchase a few available tools on site at standard prices. Availability of tools may vary over time. Members can purchase a few clay bodies on site at standard prices.
Members are allowed to use other types of clay that they purchase from elsewhere and bring to the studio, as long as they are fired at the standard studio temperatures. Members are required to show proof (for instance by showing the label) that the clay they are using fits the firing temperature.
Kleistone Studio offers a few studio glazes for reasonable use by members.
Members are allowed to use their own glazes, but must keep recipes or labels from glaze distributors showing components in the glaze, to show owners/management for approval before firing if the glazes have not previously been used. Kleistone Studio owners/managers reserve the right to reject a request to fire a certain glaze or an item that has been glazed in a way that may cause the kiln harm. Careless glazing or kiln firing processes that harm the kiln may result in additional fees to replace or fix anything damaged.
Members of all levels will pay €5/kg for bisque and 8€/kg for glaze fires in the kiln.
Items needing more than one kiln shelf will be fired if space is available and only if doing so will not interfere with the flow of other members’ work needing to be fired. Additional fees may be assessed and charged in advance on approved large projects.
All firings will be loaded by the owners or studio managers at the Studio’s pre-set temperatures. For everyone’s safety, we ask Members not to touch the kiln.
Kleistone Studio fires at cone 6 (around 1240C). We do not make specific space or accommodations for making or firing porcelain or earthenware work at this time.
Members must clearly label their work.
Kiln rentals and production work
Frequent production work may be limited in the studio depending on the space and kiln firings required. Kleistone Studio reserves the right to reject requests for more frequent firings and use of the studio for production purposes in order to give all members equal rights to usage of studio and kiln space.
Members can request to rent a full kiln for additional fees. Kiln rental requests must be made in advance to ensure that other members are not disrupted.
Members will be held responsible for damage to facility or equipment if negligence or improper use is the cause.
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Studio Space & Access
A Member is entitled to use the Studio’s facilities during its opening hours and subject to these Terms and Conditions. Members are free to choose which times they use the studio space, limited only by total maximum hours per month as defined by the member’s membership level. The Studio will have specific opening hours posted on the website. The opening hours are subject to change.
The Studio reserves the right to limit access to some parts of the studio space for Workshops, repairs, and other temporary sessions such as Open Studio sessions as needed by the owners.
Members have use of a personal storage space for storing their own materials, tools, clay, etc. Extra storage space with charge may be available.
Kleistone Studio is a communal space and as such, Members will share all approved space in the studio with fellow members equally.
Table space is usable on a first-come basis, but may have a booking system to reserve ahead of time if the need arises.
Sanding of ceramics should be done outside. If done indoors, please take extra care to ensure you have cleaned all surrounding areas with a wet cloth and mop to limit the clay dust in the studio. If sanding is done inside, it must be done over a bowl of water.
Extra time
In the event that a Member wishes to use any additional time during any month beyond what is included in her/his/their membership level limit, she/he/they must agree such time in advance with the owners or management of the Studio and purchase such additional time in advance in blocks of 2 hours. Each hour shall be charged at a rate of €10.
The provision of additional time at the Studio beyond the designated Membership hours, as determined by a Membership level, is subject to Studio space being available and is at the discretion of the management of the Studio.
Hours that have not been used in a given month do not carry over into the next period.
Upgrading membership levels
Members can request to upgrade their membership level at any time by sending a written request via email to info@kleistonestudio.com. Membership upgrade requests are subject to the approval by the owners as there may not always be sufficient space.
Once the upgrade request is approved, the Member will be notified in writing. If the upgrade is approved, the new membership level will begin the following month.
It is not possible to downgrade a membership.
Shop
All members are able to present their works available for sale in the small shop area. All members are responsible for their own sales, including but not limited to promoting their own work and methods for receiving payment. Members are liable to ensure that they comply with local legal and tax requirements to accept payments.
Members are allowed to invite interested shoppers to the studio for the purpose of selling their products on site.
Library
Members have access to a small selection of ceramic books and materials. Such materials may not be taken out of the Studio and are to be consulted while on the premises.
Cleaning, health and safety
Each Member is required to keep all surfaces clean of clay and glaze and to clean all areas including the floor around her/his/their work station thoroughly before completing her/his/their session, in order to minimize the risks to Members caused by breathing clay and glaze dusts.
Members must use wet cloths and sponges to clean their surfaces.
In the interests of safety and hygiene, all food, drinks, dishware, and food-related items are permitted in the Studio main area, at the Member’s own discretion. It is the Member’s responsibility to ensure that the area on which she/he is eating or making food is thoroughly sanitary and safe.
Food and drinks are not to be consumed in the glaze/kiln room.
Members must wear appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE), including a mask, when mixing glazes and/or working with dry clay.
Members use the Studio at their own risk with awareness of the inherent hazards of a Studio environment, which include but are not limited to use of sharp tools and sharp edges, exposure to toxic materials, the dangers of using materials and equipment at high temperatures, and the risks associated with breathing silica dust, among other potentially harmful materials.
Clay, glaze and plaster must not be disposed of in sinks and drains. All members must use disposal buckets provided for as much waste as possible.
We ask members to help the studio in conserving fresh water. We therefore ask members to use reclaim bucket water for things such as hand-building, throwing or washing up tools.
Each Member must comply with all health and safety instructions given by the Company’s staff at all times.
Members must use the main entrance to the Studio when entering or leaving the Studio. Any other entrances are not to be used by Members for any reason other than in the case of an emergency.
Smoking is not allowed in the Studio. Alcohol is allowed, however, drunken and otherwise disruptive behaviour is dangerous in the studio and will not be tolerated.
Workshops
In the event that a Workshop is offered and includes the opportunity for non-Members to participate, attendees are not required to become Members before the commencement of the Workshop, nor after. Workshop attendees may therefore only use the Studio space during the time that the Workshop is being carried out.
A Member may only book a Workshop spot for her-/himself in person or via the Studio’s website.
A Member will be charged for a Workshop at a discounted rate (as applicable) where cancellation or the rescheduling of a Workshop is not sent to the Studio and confirmation received by a Studio owner or manager. Workshop cancellation policies apply as per the class page.
Members enjoy discounted rates for joining workshops and this discounted rate is only applicable to the Member and such benefit is not transferable.
The Company shall not be held responsible in respect of any particular Session, instructor and/or item of equipment not being available for whatever reason. The Company reserves in its sole and absolute discretion and without notice the right to make alterations to the timings, structure and content of any Session, and the identity of any instructor and/or the availability of any equipment, and/or the availability and nature of any ancillary facilities provided to Members. The Company shall not be liable for any loss occasioned by such alterations.
Workshops are booked on a first-come first-served basis. A Member may join a waiting list by contacting the Studio owners in the case that her/his/their choice of Workshop is fully booked.
A Member must book and pay for any Workshop or Session at the Studio before attending.
Payments for Memberships and Workshops are non-refundable unless otherwise stated in these Terms and Conditions.
Open studio sessions
Members may use the studio during open studio sessions if space allows. Members can use the studio for the number of hours corresponding to their membership level.
Members are allowed to bring a friend during a session, provided they contact us in advance. The non-member's studio time and firing service will be billed at the current open studio rate.
The company reserves the right to decline or limit open studio spots for friends of members.
Expelled from membership
Any Member who breaches these Terms of Service may be expelled from the Studio and have their membership cancelled, without refund of payments already made.
The Studio may terminate the Membership of any Member in the event that such Member fails to make payment of any sum due to the Studio within 14 days of the due date. In the event of termination by reason of non-payment, the balance of fees due for the remaining term of the Membership shall become immediately due and payable.
Limitation of Liability
The Company shall not be held responsible for a particular Session and/or item of equipment not being available for whatever reason. The Company reserves in its sole and absolute discretion and without notice the right to make alterations to the timings, structure and content of any Session, and the availability of any equipment, and/or the availability and nature of any ancillary facilities provided to Members.
Personal belongings are brought to the Studio premises at the Member’s own risk and the Company does not accept liability for any loss or damage whatsoever to such items.
The Company accepts no liability for any injury suffered by any Member on the Studio premises or outside the Studio except insofar as such loss, damage or injury is by law incapable of exclusion.
Members must at all times observe the Studio guidelines which may be notified to them from time to time and are requested to comply with any reasonable directions which the management of the Studio may issue to ensure the smooth operation of the Studio for the convenience of all Members.
By agreeing to these Terms & Conditions, Members agree to behave responsibly within the studio. Members voluntarily and knowingly assume all risk for any injury, illness, damages, liabilities, losses, expenses, or death that result directly or indirectly as a consequence of using the Studio. Members agree to be responsible for any injury or damage that they cause to the Studio or to other Members. We recommend that all members carry private liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung).
Disputes between Members shall be handed directly, Member-to-Member with no expectation or obligation of involvement from or liability of the Studio.
Any marketing, educational or other materials of this nature whatsoever produced by the Company in connection with the Studio and which are made available to Members at the Studio shall at all times remain the property of the Company and will be subject to the Company’s copyright.