Co-op passholders have access to four studios—the ceramics studio, the darkroom, the fiber arts studio, and the printmaking studio—providing access to art-making equipment and communal studio space for developing and professional artists ages 18 and above.
Works made in the ceramics studio are regularly fired by our staff. Storage shelves for works in progress or ready for firing are available.
Only clay purchased at The Union can be fired in our kilns to ensure that all ceramic projects can be fired together. Clay is available for purchase at the front desk. Purchase of clay includes firing and access to black, white, and clear glazes (cone 5).
Artists will supply any additional glazes.
Darkroom
The darkroom includes the equipment needed to develop and print photographs from film. 35mm, medium- and large-format films can all be processed and printed. Chemistry for film development and printing is available for purchase at the front desk. A price sheet is posted in the darkroom and is based on volume.
Artists may bring their own chemistry, but must take it with them at the end of each session, or store it safely in their co-op locker. Artists supply their own photo paper.
Printmaking Studio
The printmaking studio houses a wide range of tools for everything from screen printing on t-shirts and posters to relief, intaglio, and collagraph printing. The shop is fully ventilated and contains a 30 inch x48 inch print drying rack. Use of emulsified screens, inkjet transparencies, and Risograph master sheets/prints are available for purchase. Artists will supply screen printing ink, any carved/etched substrate for printmaking, and paper/garments for printing.
Fiber Arts Studio
The fiber arts studio is well-suited for everything from minor mending and tailoring projects to complete garment production, artistic embroidery, and quilting. Artists supply all materials for fiber arts projects.
Studio Equipment
Ceramics Studio
six pottery wheels
one gas kiln
one electric kiln
glaze spray booth
two large work tables
wedging table
a variety of tools
Darkroom
one black and white enlarger
one color enlarger
black and white developing and printing chemistry
film drying cabinet
light box
mat cutter
Fiber Arts Studio
two Janome heavy duty sewing machines
Juki serger
two 32" looms (available upon request)
large work/cutting table
tackable wall for pattern layout
Printmaking Studio
American French Tool relief/intaglio floor press
brayers
an acid bath for zinc plates
screen printing material
multiple printing tables
large exposure unit
four color/one station garment press
flash dryer
wash out booth
Risograph
Code of Conduct
View Our Code of Conduct
The staff and board of The Union for Contemporary Art hold ourselves to standards of conduct that are in line with the stated core values of the organization. We expect that collaborating artists, co-op and Union members, partners, contractors, and community members participating in Union programming also meet these standards so that we may foster a safe, open, and inclusive environment where rich dialogue can flourish and inclusivity can thrive.
The Union reserves the right to remove anyone from our space, programs, and support who engages in conduct (both at The Union or in the wider community) not in line with the guidelines outlined below. We encourage reporting of any action that does not meet these guidelines to our co-op studios manager, Nathan Murray, at nathan@u-ca.org.
Guidelines:
1 - The Union aspires to treat everyone with fairness, respect, and dignity. We expect the same of our collaborators and program participants.
2 - Sexual harassment or harassment in any form will not be tolerated.
3 - The Union will not tolerate acts of violence of any kind including physical or verbal. Similarly, we will not tolerate any overt activity aimed at intimidation, or which can be seen as promoting or escalating threats of violence.
4 - Respect of personal property. Damage, theft, or vandalism of Union property, the property of any persons involved with or participating in Union programming, OR the surroundings of our wider North 24th Street community will not be tolerated.
5 - Show care, kindness, and respect when listening and engaging in dialogue. We value consent culture and creating brave spaces where artists and audiences feel safe and empowered to engage in challenging conversation that maintains equality and respect. When interacting with people casually or professionally, personal and emotional and physical boundaries must be respected every time.
6 - In line with our community core value, the Union will not tolerate intoxication of any kind during the use of Union facilities, during events, or while working in the Co-op Studios. To ensure the safety and artistic practices of others, you will be asked to leave and can return in 24-48 hours.
NOTE:The Union aspires to a policy of restorative justice. This means that as an organization we are committed to maintaining these standards of conduct (believing victims and addressing instances of harm), while also working to reintegrate those who have perpetrated harm into good standing within our community. Broadly, this is an ethos of “inviting in” rather than “calling out.”
We hold our organization, staff, and board accountable to this standard as well. In moments when we have been involved in the perpetration of harm, we will work toward amends of the situation and transformation of ourselves.