Atacama Clay Studio Mission

At Atacama Clay Studio, our mission is to nurture a welcoming and inclusive creative community where respect, communication, and artistic expression thrive. We believe in treating one another with kindness and dignity, honoring the diverse perspectives and creative voices that shape our collective experience.

Rooted in collaboration and care, we foster open dialogue, support one another’s artistic journeys, and uphold a shared responsibility for our space and environment. We are committed to sustainability and equity—striving to build a studio culture that is anti-racist, anti-classist, and affirming of all identities.

Together, we cultivate not only clay, but also community—shaping a space where creativity, respect, and connection flourish.

Atacama Clay Studio Community Agreement

1. We Treat One Another with Respect

At Atacama Clay Studio, we believe all people have inherent value, regardless of their status or circumstances. We ask everyone in our community to extend the same patience, courtesy, kindness, and politeness that you would wish to receive.

2. We Foster Open Communication

If you have concerns, we encourage you to first bring them to the studio manager. If further discussion is needed, the studio owner is available to help. We are committed to maintaining transparency in all communications.

3. We Respect Creative Expression

We honor and celebrate the unique creative expressions of every individual. At Atacama, we avoid placing hierarchies on artistic work and instead support one another’s endeavors. If inspired by another’s work, we approach them respectfully and communicate our intent to work with that inspiration.

4. We Are Committed to Inclusion

We strive to create an environment that is anti-racist, anti-classist, and affirming of all identities, including queer identities. Discrimination or harassment of any kind—such as racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, or classism—will not be tolerated.

5. We Care for Our Space

We recognize the importance of working in a well-maintained and inspiring environment. As a community, we take responsibility for treating the studio space, materials, and tools with care and respect. This includes maintaining our individual workspaces and contributing to the upkeep of shared areas.

6. We Prioritize Sustainability

At Atacama, we take pride in being resourceful and environmentally conscious. We aim to minimize waste and utilize natural resources—such as water and clay—responsibly. Together, we prioritize recycling, upcycling, and effective use of materials to reduce our environmental impact.

Agreement to Uphold Community Standards

By being a member of Atacama Clay Studio, you agree to these community agreements.

Thank you for helping us maintain a vibrant, inclusive, and respectful community at Atacama Clay Studio

Americans with Disabilities Act Grievance Procedure

Atacama Clay Studio is committed to accessibility and inclusivity in all the public programming presented by our organization. This Grievance Procedure is established to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). It may be used by anyone who wishes to file a complaint alleging discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, activities, programs, or benefits by Atacama Clay Studio.

Complaints concerning discrimination on the basis of disability by Atacama Clay Studio may be sent to Jackson Domenech at jacksondomenech@gmail.com, ADA Coordinator.

Atacama Clay Studio will contact the complainant within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint to discuss the complaint and possible resolutions.

Within 15 calendar days after the meeting, the ADA Coordinator, or designee, will respond in writing, and, where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, with a final resolution of the complaint.

All written complaints received by the ADA Coordinator, or designee, appeals to the Founder, or designee, and responses from these two offices will be retained by Atacama Clay Studio for at least three years.

I. Organizational Policies

Atacama Clay Studio formally adopted its ADA Plan on January 15, 2026. The ADA Coordinator is Jackson Domenech and may be contacted at 631 617 8322. This plan will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

This document represents Atacama Clay Studio’s formal ADA Plan, consolidating existing accessibility practices while establishing benchmarks for future improvements and accommodations. The plan is publicly available on our website and is shared with all staff as part of the onboarding process.

Atacama Clay Studio’s Grievance Procedure was also formally approved on January 15, 2026. This procedure is publicly available on our website, included in staff onboarding materials, and reviewed annually to ensure continued effectiveness and compliance.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Atacama Clay Studio does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its programs, activities, or operations.

Studio leadership will convene at least once annually to review and assess compliance, protocols, and ongoing planning related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. This review will include evaluation of this Non-Discrimination Statement.

Atacama Clay Studio welcomes ongoing feedback from members, students, and the broader community to help us strengthen and uphold these values.

II. Facilities 

Atacama Clay Studio is wheelchair accessible via street level carriage doors and an alternate entrance with appropriate clearance. The main program space is majority wheelchair accessible, with a few areas (tiled, dip in the floor) that require extra care.

The restroom is not wheelchair accessible. It is up two stairs, has a narrow entryway, and is not set up to accommodate grab bars. 

Interior signage consists of vinyl lettering or laminated signs in a range of font sizes,  including lighted exit signs at each of the two exits, an “EXIT” sign in high contrast font and braille at each of the exit doors, and an “ALL GENDER BATHROOM” sign in high contrast font with graphic and braille.

Outdoor building signage includes the Atacama Clay Studio logo sign approximately 60” from the ground as well as smaller signage placed on an interior table that is visible through the window. “Atacama” is also placed on the intercom at standing height. 

Atacama Clay Studio has curb cuts in front of our main carriage doors. There are also curb cuts as near as 10 feet away on neighbors’ driverways. There is not an accessible van parking area in front of Atacama Clay Studio. Based on our research, we understand that we are not eligible for this improvement.

Atacama Clay Studio is one block from the 86 and 87 bus lines, and two and a half blocks from the 119 and 123 bus lines. We are 1.8 miles from the Journal Square transit hub.

III. Marketing

Atacama Clay Studio marketing materials will specify the accommodations available for each event or program. All accessibility notices will state that the bathroom is not accessible.

Our website will have the free UserWay widget installed on all active pages by July 2026.

Atacama Clay Studio’s social media posts are not fully accessible. We use all the built-in tools provided by Meta (Facebook and Instagram), such as their auto-generated alt text and compatibility with screen readers, and add captions to videos when appropriate. We aim to increase our social media accessibility, specifically for posts related to our disability programming, beginning July 2026.

IV. Programming

Large Print versions of class and workshop resources and studio signage will be available by July 2026.  

A disability intake procedure, inclusive modified curriculum, and adaptive tools are available for disability-specific programming.

We are able to make assisted listening devices available with advanced notice.

We are not currently able to make braille materials available.

We are not currently able to make ASL interpretation available.

Closed captioning and tactile exhibits are unrelated to our current programming.