The Studio

We occupy a small 650 Sq. ft. office suite studio in South Salinas on W. Alisal St. near Hartnell College. Focused on the traditional ceramics including handbuilding, wheel throwing, sculpture and surface decoration, the space will have limited occupancy to maintain calm focus and an intimate setting for its membership. The studio is owned and operated by Levi Jimenez, a Salinas native and ceramic artist since 1997.

When?

Open Studio is available Tuesday through Saturday weekly, from 10:00am to 9:00pm. We are closed Sunday and Monday for firing and cleaning. We are generally closed on major holidays
Friday and Saturday are ideal days to really flex your creative mind, with great coffee, and chill vibes.

Offerings

Workshops: Toki offers specialized workshops for beginners and more advanced members. 

Membership: Monthly members are given 24 hours to book as they see fit, as their schedule allows. The studio is mostly a co-working space, so you get to choose your own adventure. Guided practice is available Saturday mornings for anyone who needs assistance with projects. Please contact us for details!

Open Studio: Intended for those who already have experience with clay. Bring your tools and get some clay, come and enjoy some time alone or with new friends.

The studio has clay and tools for sale for new and existing members.
Limitations

While I love kids, NO small children are permitted in the studio. Homeschoolers are encouraged! Children are permitted only if they are over 14 years of age with High School ID. 
Beginning Handbuilding or Wheel workshops introduce members to the fundamentals of clay, and include clay, tools and everything you need to get your addiction started. 
Anyone else with clay experience are encouraged to come to open studio.
Fair warning:    It… is… addictive….

Colorful abstract sculpture with red and blue hues on a marble-like base, surrounded by art supplies and tools in a studio.
Colorful abstract sculpture with red and blue hues on a marble-like base, surrounded by art supplies and tools in a studio.

Why Toki?

Toki, my chosen moniker, is literally the Romanized translation of “Pottery" in Japanese, but it means so much more. “Toki” means "Time, Moment, Occasion" in the Japanese language. It means "to talk, or converse" in Esperanto. The Toki Bird, a Japanese Ibis, is a symbol of peace, nature and renewal. In Polynesian languages it can mean “Carving Tool”, and in Māori it represents a tool that symbolizes strength and skill. Ceramics is an opportunity to live in the moment, accepting the things we can not change, and change the things we can.

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!