Ceramic Studio Manager

Ilwaco Artworks is a sister location for Sou'wester Arts Non-Profit. We are a small, 20 seat, beginner community ceramics studio and art gallery situated in a historic building in the picturesque, seaside town of Ilwaco Washington. We opened in Spring of 2023 and we have since hosted an array of workshops, community clay plays, and Sou'wester Arts Week!

We are seeking a ceramics studio manager with teaching and ceramics studio experience. This roll is supported by a team including a program coordinator, marketing and social media manager, and a logistics and administration persons.

Summary of Essential Functions:

• Manage the ceramics studio.
• Teach workshops & Clay Plays.
• Work with Sou'wester Arts and Sou'wester Staff to develop and implement programming that realizes vision and purpose.

Minimum qualifications:

• Teaching experience on ceramic handbuilding.
• Mandatory ceramics studio & kiln operation experience.
• Three to five years of related professional work experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in the safe operation and maintenance of a wide variety of ceramic processes and equipment.

Duties & Responsibilities include:

• General cleanliness, safety and order of the ceramic studio.
• Maintaining and ordering supplies for the studio.
• Working with the team to develop project curriculum.
• Teach workshops/series/clay plays.
• Shipping visiting participant works.
• Host studio members during self-guided open studio hours.
• Kiln firings. Preparing, loading & unloading bisque/glazing firings, including glazing as needed.
• Host private events.
• Maintaining administrative systems related to firing student/member work, clay inventory, clay play contacts, workshop attendants, tracking work, shipping, and others as necessary.
• Representing the Ceramic studio and Sou'wester arts at certain community events.

• Capturing photos of events and studio work for social media manager.

Skills & Abilities:

• A demonstrated knowledge of materials and techniques used in ceramics processes and practices.
• Knowledge of ceramics equipment operation and maintenance; material forming; and firing methods including kiln construction.
• Demonstrated knowledge of technical and conceptual developments in the field of ceramic art and design.
• Demonstrated comprehension of ceramic materials, glaze and clay body formulation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of people and ages.

Benefits:

• Simple IRA
• Clearly defined personal studio use
• 50% off workshops
• Staff discounts on lodging, retail & sauna use at The Sou'wester Lodge

• 30 hrs/week including weekends.
• $23+/hr DOE

ilwacoartworks@gmail.com