About Us

            Kevin Russell is the ceramic artist and founder of The Mad Pottery LLC, a teaching studio created to inspire creativity, learning, and community through the art of clay. The studio is built on the belief that pottery is more than making objects—it is a hands-on experience that encourages self-expression, confidence, and meaningful connection.

At The Mad Pottery, clay becomes a tool for discovery. Russell guides students of all ages and skill levels through the creative process, fostering an environment where experimentation is encouraged and individuality is celebrated. The studio embraces the idea that there is no single path to creating art; every hand, every technique, and every finished piece carries its own story.

Rooted in both craftsmanship and education, The Mad Pottery blends traditional ceramic techniques with a welcoming and accessible approach to learning. Students are invited to explore the transformation of clay—from a simple material shaped by hand into something lasting and personal—while developing both artistic skills and creative confidence.

Through The Mad Pottery LLC, Kevin Russell aims to create more than a ceramics studio. His vision is to build a creative space where people gather, learn, and connect; where curiosity is encouraged, artistic voices are developed, and the process of making becomes just as valuable as the finished work itself.

What's a product or service you'd like to show.Ceramic Studio Safety Agreement and Participation Contract: The Mad Pottery LLC 

1. Participant Information 

• Name: 
• Phone: 
• Email: 
• Emergency Contact (name and phone): 
• Allergies/medical conditions relevant to studio work (optional, for safety): 

If participant is a minor: 

• Parent/Guardian Name: 
• Relationship: 
• Contact Phone/Email: 

1. Purpose and Scope This agreement sets the safety rules and participation terms for ceramic classes/workshops at [The Mad Pottery LLC, located at [4405 Halls Mill Road B-2, Mobile, Alabama 36693]. By signing, you agree to follow these rules to help keep yourself and others safe. 
2. General Safety Rules 

• Follow instructions: I will follow all verbal and written instructions from instructors and staff. 
• Attendance and awareness: I will not work in the studio if I am ill, extremely fatigued, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
• Food and drink: No food in production areas; only closed‑lid drinks are allowed away from clay, chemicals, and electrical equipment. 
• Clothing: I will wear close‑toed shoes and tie back long hair; avoid dangling jewelry and loose clothing. 
• Personal protective equipment (PPE): I will use required PPE (e.g., safety glasses, dust mask/respirator rated P100 or N95 as specified, heat‑resistant gloves near kilns, and aprons) and keep them in good condition. 

1. Clay, Glaze, and Chemical Safety 

• Material handling: I will read labels/SDS sheets before using clays, stains, oxides, and glazes, and follow mixing/application instructions. 
• Dust control: I will minimize dust by using wet methods (sponging/mopping) and never dry‑sanding, dry‑sweeping, or using compressed air on clay or glaze residues. 
• Hand hygiene: I will wash hands and forearms after working; no handwashing in slop buckets or glaze tubs. 
• Food contact: I will identify wares intended for food use and only use studio‑approved, food‑safe glaze combinations fired to proper maturity. 
• Storage and labeling: I will keep materials in labeled containers and return them to designated areas. No unlabeled mixtures. 

1. Equipment Safety 

• Wheels and tools: I will receive instruction before using wheels, slab rollers, extruders, mixers, pug mills, or other powered equipment. Keep hands clear of pinch points; never bypass guards. 
• Sharp tools: Use cutting tools and trimming tools with care; store with blades protected. Cut away from the body. 
• Electrical safety: Keep cords and floors dry. Report frayed cords or malfunctioning equipment immediately. 
• Pug mills/mixers: Do not operate when alone in the studio. Tie back hair and remove jewelry. Never reach into hoppers while powered or plugged in. 
• Clean-up: I will clean my wheel, splash pan, bats, tools, and work area after use using wet methods; dispose of clay slop in designated containers, not sinks. 

1. Kiln and Firing Safety 

• Authorized personnel: Only trained/authorized individuals may load, program, or fire kilns. 
• Heat hazard: Kilns and kiln furniture become extremely hot. I will not touch hot equipment and will maintain safe distance during and after firings. 
• Ventilation: I will ensure vents are on and doors/windows are used as directed during mixing, glazing, and firing periods. 
• Loading rules: No closed forms or sealed vessels without vent holes; no materials containing lead, cadmium, barium, or other restricted substances unless explicitly permitted. 
• Post‑firing: I will wait until work and shelves are cool before handling; use heat‑resistant gloves if instructed. 

1. Studio Conduct and Housekeeping 

• Work areas: I will keep aisles clear, wipe surfaces with a damp sponge, and mop spills promptly. 
• Shared spaces: Be considerate with shelf space and label works with name/date/class. 
• Waste and recycling: I will follow studio procedures for reclaiming clay and disposing of glaze waste and rags. 
• Incidents: I will immediately report injuries, breakages, chemical spills, or equipment problems to staff. 

1. Health Considerations and Acknowledgment of Risks 

• Inherent risks: I understand that ceramic work involves risks, including but not limited to cuts, burns, strains, allergic reactions, exposure to silica dust and glaze materials, and damage to personal property. 
• Medical clearance: I affirm I am able to participate safely or have consulted a medical professional if needed. I will disclose conditions that may require accommodations. 
• Illness policy: I will not attend if I have symptoms of a communicable illness that could put others at risk. 

1. Property and Work Outcomes 

• Firing results: I understand that cracking, warping, glaze defects, and kiln accidents can occur; results are not guaranteed. 
• Storage and abandonment: Unclaimed work may be discarded after [X] days from notification or end of term. 
• Personal items: The studio is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property brought to class. 

1. Payment, Scheduling, and Cancellations 

• Tuition and fees: I agree to pay all class and materials/firing fees as listed. Additional fees may apply for oversized pieces or extra firings beyond class allotment. 
• Cancellations: Student cancellations and refunds follow the studio’s posted policy. The studio may reschedule or cancel classes for safety or instructor availability, with reasonable notice. 

1. Photo/Media Consent (optional) 

• I consent / do not consent (circle one) to the studio photographing or filming me and my work for promotional and educational use without compensation. 

1. Waiver and Release of Liability To the fullest extent permitted by law, I voluntarily assume all risks of participation and release and hold harmless [Studio Name], its owners, instructors, employees, and agents from claims or liabilities for injury, loss, or damage arising from participation in studio activities, except to the extent caused by the studio’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. 
2. Agreement to Comply and Consequences I agree to comply with all safety rules and staff directions. The studio may limit or revoke my studio access, without refund, for unsafe behavior or policy violations. 
3. Signatures By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to this Safety Agreement and Participation Contract. 

• Participant Signature: ________________________ Date: __________ 
• Printed Name: _____________________________________________ 

If participant is a minor: 

• Parent/Guardian Signature: ___________________ Date: __________ 
• Printed Name: _____________________________________________ 

Instructor/Studio Representative (optional): 

• Signature: _________________________________ Date: __________ 
• Printed Name/Title: _________________________________________