Studio Assistantship
Studio Assistantship
The Oki Doki Studio is happy to announce a unique educational opportunity for the right artist aspiring to immerse themselves in the atmospheric firing processes. As a studio assistant you are given studio space, materials, one on one graduate level critique and education, wood and soda firing opportunities, professional planning, and the opportunity to be a part of the studio’s community of ceramic artists in exchange for helping with the physical work of running the ceramics studio.
This program was created as a hybridization of Andrew Sartorius’s apprenticeship experience with Jeff Shapiro from 2014-2016 and interviews with other former wood fire apprentices from several apprenticeships across the United States. The studio assistantship is a fundamentally interpersonal relationship; an agreement between mentor and student, both seeking assistance in different stages of discovering the ceramics process. This can be a practical, and in-depth, approach to education that differs from the traditional academic approach. No experience is universal, this is a highly personalized position for a motivated student with a passion for clay. The potential for growth and learning is exceptional for the right person. We are looking for someone to invest in, and help achieve our mutual goals.
How it works
This is a work exchange based program built on the apprenticeship model of learning. It is primarily an educational opportunity more than an job in ceramics. What could be learned through meeting visiting artists and participants, firing with Oki Doki Staff, being present in the studio for all aspects of studio work, and your own personal development is only limited by the amount of energy the studio assistant puts into their time learning with us.
Requirements
15-20 hours weekly studio assisting work (depending on the week or month there may be more or less studio time required by the assistant. Anagama firings take a lot more time, energy, and effort than a soda firing does by the nature of that process. If an excess of hours is required leading up to these larger firings the work load will be adjusted in the following weeks to make up for the extra hours worked.
Present for all workshops and firings (It is in the best interest of the studio assistant to be as present as possible for all firings. There will absolutely be exceptions for emergencies, work, and planned absence)
Six month to one year commitment with review (every situation is different).
Vehicle for personal transportation and health insurance.
Able to lift 50 pound material bags and do physical work
Work towards and set personal ceramic and career goals
Active studio practice (This program is an educational opportunity to work towards new studio goals and develop as an artist. We expect the assistant to produce their work and be working towards their goals. It is as much a part of the program as the work exchange is.)
Strong communication skills
Benefits
Shared studio space at The Oki Doki Studio
Affordable rent in a shared 2 bedroom apartment with other studio assistants 5 minutes from the studio. ( renting in Germantown, NY is prohibitively pricey so we provide housing at $650 a month)
Full access to studio clay, glazes, and materials (within reason)
Assist with all workshops
Monthly critiques with Program Manager
$400 a month stipend (This is to help afford housing in the area. This program should be viewed and prepared for as though it were an academic program that requires financial planning on the applicant’s part. Think of the $400 stipend similarly to a scholarship for any accredited academic program. All past studio assistants have worked part time jobs along with their studio hours.)
Training on wood firing and gas reduction firing
Studio management training ranging from glaze mixing and formulation to kiln building
Career continuation planning
Personalized education goals at the Master’s level of critique and education
Applications for 2025 are officially open
To apply :
Statement of Purpose
One Paragraph Bio
Current Resume
10 Image Portfolio (300 dpi, saved as JPEG format, 6 inches in the largest dimension)
One reference relevant to the field with name, email, relationship, and phone number
All documents should be sent as PDFs
Email all documents and images to theokidokistudio@gmail.com
After your application is reviewed, applicants can expect a phone interview with our Program Manager before progressing to the final stage of the application with an in person studio visit (or FaceTime/Zoom) and joint interview with our Director, Studio Tech, and Program Manager.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions. Interviews and notifications will be scheduled as the applications are received to help further the application process. Applications close September 2nd. Ideally one of the two positions begins in late January or early February of 2025.
For additional information please contact Andrew Sartorius: absartorius@gmail.com (845) 332-6585
Current and Past Studio Assistants:
Daisy Goldstein Cross - @daisy_goldstein
Sarah Fox - @sarahfoxpottery
Andrea from Open Objects Studio - https://www.openobjects.co
Ara Oshin - https://www.araoshin.com