Introduction‍

Welcome to The Art Department Newcastle ("we," "us," "our"). By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to comply with and be bound by the following terms and conditions ("Terms"). Please read them carefully. If you do not agree with these Terms, please refrain from using our services.

1. Intellectual Property

• The content on this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, video clips, digital downloads, and data compilations, is the property of The Art Department Newcastle and is protected by Australian and international copyright laws.
• The Art Department Newcastle has obtained licenses to use certain royalty-free stock imagery on this website.
• If you believe that your intellectual property rights have been infringed upon by any content on this website, please contact us immediately at hello@theartdepartment.com.au. We will investigate the matter and take appropriate action, including removing the infringing content.
• You may not use any meta tags or any other "hidden text" utilizing The Art Department Newcastle's name or trademarks without the express written consent of The Art Department Newcastle.
• The Art Department Newcastle reserves the right to modify or remove any content on this website at any time without notice.

2. Use of Contact Information

• By providing your email address and other contact information to The Art Department Newcastle, you agree that we may use this information for marketing purposes, including but not limited to sending you newsletters and promotional emails.
• You may opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time by using the unsubscribe link in our emails.

3. Class Bookings and Payments

• Booking Confirmation: Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of full payment through our online booking system, ClassBento.
• Non-Refundable Policy: All class bookings are non-refundable. However, we reserve the right to reschedule or modify class times due to unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, clients will be notified via email or phone.
• Cancellations by Us: If we need to cancel a class, we’ll notify you at least 24 hours in advance and offer a full refund or the option to reschedule.

4. Kiln Firing Policies

• Firing Risks: Ceramics can be unpredictable; pieces may crack, warp, or even (on dramatic occasions) explode during kiln firing. We do not offer refunds for such instances—it’s all part of the pottery journey.
• Right to Refuse Firing: We reserve the right to decline firing any piece that we deem unsuitable (e.g., incorrect construction that could cause damage). This ensures the safety of all creations sharing kiln space.
• Kiln Schedules: While we aim for a smooth schedule, unexpected delays can happen. If there’s a hiccup, we’ll keep you updated.
• Labeling Matters: If your piece is mistakenly picked up by someone else, we regret that we cannot offer refunds. To avoid mix-ups, please ensure your name is clearly marked on your work.
• Under-Firing Solutions: If the kiln under-fires, no stress! We’ll re-fire your pieces at no extra cost.
• Damage Coverage: In the rare event your piece is damaged due to our team or a faulty firing, we’ll cover the firing cost and provide studio access for you to remake and re-fire your work for free.

5. Collection of Finished Pieces

• Notification: Clients will be notified via email or text when their pieces are ready for collection.
• Collection Period: We will make five attempts to contact clients for collection. If, after these attempts, pieces remain uncollected, we reserve the right to donate the work. If clients make contact but still fail to collect their work within 2 weeks of the response, the same donation policy applies.

6. Limitation of Liability

• The Art Department Newcastle is not liable for any personal injuries, damages, or losses incurred during classes or as a result of using our services. Clients participate at their own risk.

7. Updates to These Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Changes will be posted on our website, and significant changes will be communicated via email.

9. Ecommerce Returns Policy

We want you to love your purchases, but we understand that sometimes things don’t work out. Here’s our returns policy for ecommerce items:

• Eligibility for Returns:
  • Items must be unused, in their original condition, and returned with all original packaging.
  • Returns must be initiated within 14 days of receipt.
• Non-Returnable Items:
  • Custom pottery pieces or made-to-order items.
  • Items marked as final sale.
• Process:
  • To initiate a return, please email hello@theartdepartment.com.au with your order number and reason for return.
  • Once approved, you will receive instructions for shipping the item back to us at your own cost.
• Refunds:
  • Refunds will be processed back to your original payment method within 7 business days of receiving the returned item. Shipping fees are non-refundable.
• Damaged or Defective Items:
  • If your item arrives damaged or defective, please contact us within 7 days of receipt with photographs and a description of the issue. We’ll either replace the item or issue a refund, depending on availability.

10. Shipping & Handling Policy

Whether it’s a handmade ceramic masterpiece or your latest ecommerce order, here’s how we handle shipping:

• Shipping Times:
  • Orders are typically dispatched within 3-5 business days. Handmade pottery items may require additional preparation time, which will be communicated via email or sms. Usual handling times can be found above in section 5 of this policy as well as noted when submitting your work for firing by our kiln services.
• Shipping Costs:
  • Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on the size, weight, and destination of your order.
• Delivery Delays:
  • While we work hard to ensure timely delivery, delays can occur due to unforeseen circumstances. If your order is delayed, we’ll keep you updated.
• Local Pickup:
  • If you’re in the Newcastle area, you can select local pickup at checkout and collect your order from our studio during business hours.
• Pottery Pieces:
  • If a customer opts to have their pottery pieces shipped after a class or firing, the shipping cost will be communicated to your by our studio team and need to be paid in addition to any firing costs.
  • We ensure careful packaging to protect your piece during transit, but pottery is fragile!

11. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or complaints about these Terms, please contact us at:

Email: hello@theartdepartment.com.au