BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
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BE READY FOR FALL 2026
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BECOME A MEMBER TODAY - BE READY FOR FALL 2026 -
The Village Access
“A studio for neighbors. A place for art.”
At Bayan Ceramics Studio, membership is more than access, it's belonging and mindfulness. Inspired by the Filipino spirit of bayanihan, the tradition of a community supporting one another, our studio is a sanctuary built on strength of our neighbors. We invite artists of all levels into a nurturing space where creativity, connection, and personal growth thrive side-by-side.
The Village Access is designed to honor your unique creative and wellness journey. You are not just securing a shelf; you are becoming a pillar of a neighborhood space dedicated to Center, Create, and Connect.
Whether you join us a Founding Kababayan Neighbor or through our Mabuhay Circle, you are helping us mold a village where every potter has a seat at the table and every piece of clay tells a story of belong.
Kababayan Founding Neighbor 18
The Choice for: The Studio Pillars
Become a bedrock of our village. The Kababayan Founding Neighbor 18 is an exclusive invitation for our first 18 neighbors (age 18+) to secure a lifetime-locked rate. This is our deepest thank-you for those who believe in the Bayan Ceramics Studio vision from Day 1. By joining as a Founder, you aren’t just renting a shelf - you are helping us build a sanctuary for wellness and craft in Oak Park and the Chicagoland area.
Proficiency: This membership is for self-sufficient artists. A minimum of 6 months of wheel experience (or the equivalent of 3 full-session classes) is required to ensure you are comfortable working independently in our meditative studio flow.
Dues: $248/month (Locked for Life on a continuous basis)
Initial Payment: $348 (Covers your $100 Foundation Fee + Monthly Dues)
Commitment: 3-month initial term
Open Wheel Giving: $18 of your monthly membership goes towards Bayan’s Open Wheel Scholarship
Perks: First choice of a dedicated member shelf, 7-day studio access, monthly 25 lb of stoneware clay, inclusive studio glazes, and bisque/glaze firing, and the “Founding Neighbor” gift bag
Savings: Over $240 in annual savings compared to our Mabuhay Community Member dues
Mabuhay Circle
The Choice for: The Dedicated Maker
Find your center at our village. Our Mabuhay Circle Membership is designed for this (age 18+) who seek a consistent “Third Place” - a place to decompress, create, and connect. We’ve traded complex tiers for one all-inclusive, premium membership that ensures the studio remains a sanctuary for every neighbor. Whether you are centering yourself or the clay, your seat at the table is waiting.
Proficiency: This membership is for self-sufficient artists. A minimum of 6 months of wheel experience (or the equivalent of 3 full-session classes) is required to ensure you are comfortable working independently in our meditative studio flow.
Dues: $268/month
Initial Payment: $368 (Covers your $100 Foundation Fee + Monthly Dues)
Commitment: 3-month initial term
Open Wheel Giving: $18 of your monthly membership goes towards Bayan’s Open Wheel Scholarship
Perks: Dedicated member shelf, 7-day studio access, monthly 25 lb of stoneware clay, inclusive studio glazes, and bisque/glaze firing
The Vibe: A focus on Hinga (breathing) and Kapwa (community)
Exclusive Member Benefits & Access
When you join Bayan Ceramics Studio, you receive premium access and professional resources designed to maximize your creative potential and support your growth as an artist:
Premium Access: Enjoy secured, keyless access to the studio during extensive maker hours: Tuesday–Sunday from 6 AM to 11 PM, and Monday from 1 PM to 11 PM.
Generous Storage: Store all your projects and tools on your own large, dedicated shelf: 48 inches wide x 24 inches deep x 16 inches high.
Materials Included: Receive 25 lbs of clay every month.
Member Discounts: Gain access to discounted studio-sold clay bodies and receive special pricing on all specialty workshops.
Retail & Gallery Exposure: Members are eligible to apply for our front-of-house Gallery and Retail Area. Showcase your work in a professional storefront and sell your pieces on a consignment basis through our curated studio shop.
Content & Shipping Suite: Take your craft to the next level with access to our professional Photography & Packaging Station. Utilize our neutral backdrops and studio lighting to capture your work, and use our dedicated packaging area to prepare your pieces for their new homes. Bayan has a trusted partnership with a locally owned UPS store.
Reserve Your Spot for the Fall of 2026
Limited Availability! Don't miss your chance to be part of our inaugural group of members. Reserve your membership spot now to start your bayanihan journey and begin throwing in the Fall of 2026.
Note on Proficiency: To protect the equipment and the creative stillness of the village, memberships are reserved for makers who can work without instruction. If you are new to clay or have less than 6 months of experience, please explore our Immersion Series classes to build your foundation first!
To secure your space:
Pay the One-Time New Studio Fee and the First Membership Month dues.
Your regular automatic monthly payments will then begin in the following month.
Spaces are highly limited—reserve today before you end up on the waitlist!
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Yes. To ensure a safe and independent environment for all, we require members to have at least 6 months of experience or have completed 3 full-session classes. Bayan is a sanctuary for independent practice; however, we offer a full range of classes for those still building their skills. Once you've completed your foundational training, we’d love to welcome you into The Village Access.
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Every membership at Bayan Ceramics Studio—whether you are a Founding Neighbor or a Mabuhay Member—includes 7-day access to our 7,600+ sq ft. studio, a dedicated personal storage shelf, use of our studio wheels and equipment, house glazes, and firing. For those that want to sell their products, we have the space to pack and ship (partnering with local UPS services).
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This is a one-time, non-refundable fee of $100 paid when you first join. It helps us maintain our high-quality equipment, tools, and community supplies.
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We believe in steady growth, which is why we have a 3-month initial commitment. This allows you to fully integrate into the studio rhythm and see your projects through from wet clay to final glaze.
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Following your initial sign-up payment, all recurring monthly dues are processed automatically on the 1st of each month starting in October 2026 (based on an September 2026 opening). You will receive a separate notification to join the Members Access site to confirm the recurring monthly dues.
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Once your initial dues are processed and your orientation is complete, you will receive your digital key for 7-day access (6 AM – 11 PM most days).
Frequently Asked Questions
Regarding other aspects of the Bayan Studio, to the Studio FAQ page.
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To maintain the integrity of our community, memberships and dues are non-transferable to other individuals.
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When our village membership reaches its capacity enrollment, we open a waitlist to maintain the uncrowded, peaceful environment of the studio. As neighbors move on or new space becomes available, we invite the next person on the list to join us via a private email invitation.
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For the Kababayan Founding members, the $248 "Legacy Rate" is our gift to the first 18 people who build this foundation with us. Because these spots are limited, if you cancel your membership, the spot is released to the next person on our waitlist. If you choose to return later, it would be at the current standard Mabuhay rate.
For our Mabuhay Community members, the same applies. The spot will be released and the next person on our waitlist.
Members must give at least a 30-day notice prior to their next billing date to cancel their membership and have to clean out their member shelf no later than their last membership day. You may pick up your remaining pieces up to one month.
Past members will not have to pay another $100 Studio Foundation Fee if they choose to return later.
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The $248 Kababayan Founding Rate is exclusive to our first 18 members. If you cancel, that specific "Legacy" spot is released. Should you choose to rejoin later, enrollment will be at the current standard Mabuhay Circle rate.
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Please clear your personal shelf by your final membership day. Any remaining fired pieces will be held for one month for you to collect.
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No. Once you have completed your initial 3-month commitment, the Studio Foundation Fee is waived for all returning members.
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Before your keyless access is activated, every new member participates in a 30-minute Bayan Flow Orientation. We’ll walk you through the kiln intake process, clay reclaim system, and safety protocols to ensure you feel at home in the 7,600+ sq. ft. space.
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Bayan is a sanctuary for independent makers. While our Studio Manager is available for facility questions, members are expected to be self-sufficient in throwing, trimming, and glazing. If you need a refresher, we recommend enrolling in one of our Immersion Series workshops.
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In the spirit of Kapwa (community), we follow a "Leave it Better" rule. Members are responsible for thoroughly cleaning their wheel, splash pan, stool, and floor area within their session time so the next artist finds a pristine space.
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Your 48-inch shelf is your personal sanctuary. Touching, moving, or critiquing another member’s work without invitation is strictly prohibited to maintain the trust and safety of our village.
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Bayan Studio is a place of mutual respect. Repeated failure to follow safety protocols or studio etiquette may result in a "Reset Meeting" with the founders or, if necessary, the cancellation of membership without a refund of the Foundation Fee.
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Bayan Ceramics Studio is a sanctuary for our members. While we love the spirit of Kapwa (connection), 7-day access is strictly for active members to ensure the space remains uncrowded and meditative.
As a member that wants to host a guest, a $20 fee will be charged per guest. There is a maximum number of two (2) guests per member per visit.
Members are responsible and liable for their guests.