Policies
The Oki Doki Studio provides a safe and open place for ceramic artists, of all levels, to explore atmospheric firing methods. We are committed to providing an intimate and interpersonal workshop experience where participants and instructors work together to celebrate the ceramic process and the creation and furthering of a caring community in the arts. All participants and instructors will contribute equally to a comfortable and safe environment for everyone. All individuals agree to treat others with a spirit of fairness, openness, and kindness to work towards the best workshop experience that can be achieved.
If a participant or instructor should disregard this communal standard they will be asked to leave the workshop and The Oki Doki Studio property without refund.
While The Oki Doki Studio is a safety-conscious institution and safety information is part of every workshop, it is impossible to eliminate the risks that accompany the use of certain tools, equipment, and materials. By participating in workshops and activities at The Oki Doki Studio, you assume responsibility for the inherent risks involved. It is every participant’s responsibility to understand safe practices and the inherent risks, and to follow the guidance of studio staff and instructors, before using any tool, machine, or material.
Consumption of alcohol during any firing workshops or stoking shifts is strictly prohibited at The Oki Doki Studio. Any person possessing or using alcohol in the studio may be dismissed without a refund or terminated as an instructor. Working in the studio while under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicant is also prohibited. Anyone who consumes alcohol on campus is expected to exercise good judgment and conduct themselves in a way that safeguards the good of the community at The Oki Doki Studio.
Code of Conduct
Cancellations:
Before purchasing your workshop reservation please review our cancellation policy:
When making your plans, please consider your participation means the studio and instructors are purchasing supplies months before the workshop. You are making a commitment to the instructor, and reserving a spot that someone else could potentially take.
Cancellations (minus the $75 cancellation fee) can be made up to three weeks before the workshop.
While we understand that emergencies happen, any cancellation made after the six week period is nonrefundable. This is the minimum amount of time needed to fill the vacancy in a workshop. We are dedicated to keeping our workshops highly intimate; this means that our workshops must be full or almost full to successfully run. A cancellation that does not refill could result in the entire workshop having to be called off. If your cancellation is due to an emergency please contact us by phone first, (845) 332-6585, and follow up with a voice mail and email if you cannot reach us. You will be given a credit for a similarly priced workshop at a later date.
Covid 19 and Other Illness
The Oki Doki Studio is committed to practices that best protect our staff, students, instructors, and community. We will follow all relevant guidelines from the CDC and the state of New York, and will continue to make decisins based on key metrics of the pandemic in our region. The Oki Doki Studio will continue to adapt and learn how to operate safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the duration of the pandemic, the reality is that any activity other than total self-quarantine will carry a degree of risk. The goal is to establish and maintain a standard of manageable risk so that we can bring small, socially responsible, learning experiences to you.
Before coming to The Oki Doki Studio, all individuals must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms and recent exposure risks. Additionally, everyone is strongly encouraged to take their temperatures and to stay home if you have a fever of 100.4 or above. If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or believe you are at risk of exposure, please stay home. It is not safe to come to The Oki Doki Studio until at least 14 days after the onset of symptoms.
If you have a suspected or confirmed exposure to COVID-19 you must wait 10 days or 7 days followed by a negative test result. Additionally, you must be free from all symptoms for at least 24 hours, including being fever free without fever-reducing medication.
These guidelines represent an agreement between participants and the studio to create a communal environment that is as safe as possible. We commit to maintaining practices of health and safety, and you agree to adjust your life in accordance with these practices when taking one of our workshops. If you cannot agree to our practices or are unwilling to meet our standards you should not come to The Oki Doki Studio, and your workshop enrollment will not be accepted.
We are amending our cancellation policy for COVID-19 to prioritize the safety of our community. If you have to cancel your attendance of an enrolled workshop up to the day of arrival due to possible COVID-19 symptoms or exposure you will be issued a refund minus a $75 processing fee. If there is possibility of exposure or illness we must ask that you do not attend workshops.
Photographs
The Oki Doki Studio staff may spend time in taking photographs for potential use in future publications and promotional materials. If you prefer not to be photographed for this purpose, please let the photographer know. When taking your own pictures of people or their work, please do so with their consent.
Pets and Guests
Participants are not permitted to bring pets to The Oki Doki Studio. The owners of the studio have several pets, and we try to respect the potentially reactive nature of unknown animal companions. Participants are asked to not bring guests to the studio during loading days of the workshop, and to ask their workshop instructor if guests would be acceptable during the firing or unloading of kilns.
Firearms and Other Weapons
Firearms or facsimiles thereof are not permitted on The Oki Doki Studio campus. Additionally, though the line between a weapon and a tool can sometimes be a fine one (knives, for instance, are used in many studio practices), items determined by The Oki Doki Studio staff to be weapons are not permitted on campus.
Camping
Camping is not permitted on The Oki Doki Studio campus. No one may stay in tents, RVs, or motorhomes.
Review of Unacceptable Behavior
The Oki Doki Studio reserves the right to dismiss any participant, without refund, for behavior that is disruptive to the community learning environment. The Oki Doki Studio may refuse admission to participants with a past history of unacceptable behavior. Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Non-participation in a workshop.
Possession/use of alcohol, intoxication during a workshop, underage drinking or providing alcohol to anyone under age 21.
Use, possession, or sale of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia.
Verbal abuse and/or harassment.
Hazing, physical abuse, physical violence or threat of physical harm.
Sexual assault, abuse, harassment, or indecent exposure.
Discriminatory or bigoted conduct, including speech, directed at a particular person based on race, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, or disability.
Possession, open or concealed, of a deadly weapon, or facsimile thereof, on The Oki Doki premises.
Disruption of the normal functioning of the Oki Doki community, breaching the peace, disrupting the work of others, violating the rights of others.
Damage to, destruction, theft, or other misuse of The Oki Doki Studio property or the property of others.
Unauthorized use of tools or property of The Oki Doki Studio.
Behavior which violates local, state, or federal laws.
Behavior which jeopardizes the safety of self or others.