COVID-19 is on everyone's mind in the Seattle area. Here are some quick notes about how we are addressing this issue at Saltstone Ceramics.
We are a "third place"–a social gathering place outside of home and work–and we take pride in the important role we fill in our wider community. The COVID-19 outbreak is challenging everyone to find balance when protecting their economic, cultural, social, and physical health.
To that end, we appreciate the patience and support of everyone in our pottery community. It can be hard to be helpful and understanding in times of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. We encourage you to be thoughtful and diligent in doing what you can to keep yourself, your family, and your community healthy.
Remember that many working artists, such as those whose work we sell in our gallery, operate as independent small businesses. That means they generally don't get paid sick leave. And many of them supplement their income with jobs in the service industry. This combination means that many of them have had their livelihoods directly impacted by COVID-19. Please reach out to local artists and artisans in your community and ask what you can do to support them.
Are You Open?
No, sadly, our storefront and studio are completely closed until further notice. However, our website is still alive and well, and we are shipping once a week. One of the best ways you can support artists and our small business is to check out our online shop and treat yourself or someone you love!
What Precautions Are You Taking?
While we're closed to the public, we've taken the opportunity to do a super deep clean and disinfection of the entire studio. We wear gloves and masks when we are packing shipments and handling new work. When we can be open again, we will continue to offer hand-sanitizer throughout the studio and we will encourage hand-washing along with other good hygiene habits.
Can I Get A Refund?
We are holding off on offering refunds until we are able to set new dates for our classes. We totally understand that the new dates may not work for everyone, so we're planning on having some flexibility with our normal refund policy. We'll have more information once we've got a timeline for re-opening.
How Long Will You Be Closed?
We're monitoring recommendations from national, state, and county authorities, and will follow appropriate guidelines and recommendations as they are issued. We have not yet set new class dates for Spring Quarter or the postponed workshops.
Can I Pick Up My Work From a Previous Class or Workshop?
Unfortunately, all of our previous students will have to wait to pick up work from a class until we are able to be open again. We promise to keep it all safe for you, and we will email you when you can come pick it up. Thanks for understanding.
I still have questions!
Great! Send them to us at info@saltstoneceramics.com or via our contact page.