Hello!
Nice to meet you.
Studio/Office Manager and Assistant
Become a team member!
Studio manager and assistants are paid positions to manage and assist O'baware production under the direct supervision of Kazu Oba. No experience necessary but, you are expected to be enthusiastic about all aspects of ceramic studio. Our starting rate and hours are $25/hr and at least one full-day or two half days per week. $30 and above if you are providing your expertise in the areas such as production, real managing skills, glaze chemistry, engineering, mold making, photography, videography, etc. We have had several team members at $30 or more, just for your record.
Please join in our lunch program. (We take turns for cooking duties, lunch or dinner)
Office manager is wanted. Our starting rate and hours for this position are $30/hr and at least one half day per week. This position is available in the afternoons.
If interested, please send an email including a cover letter, resume, and visual samples of your ceramic work, if available.
Mentorship/Internship (formally Studio Buddy)
Join a hands-on, immersive learning experience as a student under Kazu’s guidance.
Studio Responsibilities
Afternoons (1–5 PM) are dedicated to essential studio tasks such as reclaiming clay, preparing glazes, and loading/unloading kilns.
Guided Wheel Throwing Practice
Between 5 and 7 PM, you'll have focused throwing time with Kazu, following a structured curriculum tailored to your growth.
Commitment
We ask for a minimum commitment of one day per week. If you need to miss your scheduled day, we ask that you make up the time on another day, as long as you’re in town.
Additional Notes:
This description is a starting point and can be adjusted based on your needs and abilities. Please be aware that some studio tasks require heavy lifting and working with messy materials—we embrace the creative mess!
To Apply:
Email us your cover letter, resume, and a few visual samples of your work. We’re excited to hear from you!
Two to Three months Short Term Live-in/commuting Apprenticeship 短期の住み込み修行（内弟子）
Apprenticeship?
Have you considered becoming a pro?
You might learn as much in a week at our studio as in an entire year at some teaching institutions, with absolutely no tuition to pay.
Did you know Japanese potters throw clockwise? Throwing direction is never about the potter being right-handed nor left-handed. But There is a reason.
Only serious inquiries please.
We take turns for cooking duty.
小さい頃粘土遊びに没頭した人。土や自然が大好きな人。ご飯を食べるのが大好きな人。
陶芸は素人でも一からしっかり教えます。
職業訓練校・陶芸作家に弟子入り・陶芸教室での勤務などを経験し、独立への準備期間中の人。
独立を成し遂げたあと、さらに広い世界を見て高みを目指したい人。
陶芸は素人でも、料理のプロで料理を盛る器のことをもっと知りたい人。
陶芸分野の素人さんはもちろん、そんな志の高い方々も大大大歓迎です！
余談ですが…
日本人はほぼ皆さん、時計回りでロクロを引きますよね。実は西洋では逆なんです！
私が学んだような蹴ロクロの文化圏（唐津など）では水引きは時計回り、削りは反時計回りに引きます。
それぞれの理由を知っていますか？答え合わせはぜひスタジオにて！
ちなみにアメリカでは反時計回りが主流ですが、このスタジオでは時計回りにロクロを引いています。
閑話休題、O'bawareでは器を愛する心があればどんな方でも大歓迎です。
本気の仲間と陶芸を超えて食住を共にし、自分が知る限りをシェアしませんか？
興味がある人は、ぜひご連絡ください。詳細は追って連絡します。
因みに、食事は当番制です。同じ釜の飯を分かち合う、同じ窯仲間になりましょう！
Contact us for any questions.