Our philosophy is: “More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate. Be kind to yourself and others”.

 

We are committed to protecting the safety and well-being of all people. To do this, we ask that every student adheres to our Code of Conduct and all Policies. Violations will result in action including notice and or cancellation.

Read Child Safe Policy

CONDUCT

Ebb & Flow Studio does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability or handicap, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
 

We have a zero-tolerance policy against threats or intimidation, stalking, bullying or verbal abuse, gestures of a violent or inappropriate nature, sexual harassment, physical assault, or any other behaviour that creates a hostile environment. 
 

Openly aggressive behaviour or passive aggressive behaviour is not on, indicators are:
1. backhanded compliments,
2. playing the victim,
3. procrastination,
4. excluding people,
5. brooding and simmering,
6. sabotage,
7. sullen behaviour
8. shifting responsibility,
9. laying blame,

10. dumping on others,

11. drawing other students into deep personal issues,

12. negativity,

Notice or cancellation will proceed if there is ongoing negative behaviour toward others and refunds are forfeited as well as future bookings.
 

Sometimes students are going through difficulties and need extra support, so always talk to your teacher about your individual needs privately so we can help to keep the studio safe and positive for everyone. Please note: Ebb & Flow Studio Classes are mainstream and inclusive but they are not priced for therapy or suitable for anyone with an acute psychological condition.
 

Be kind and courteous to everyone, and follow instructions issued by facilitators and studio assistants. Be mindful not to challenge the facilitator or instruct other students.

Disruptive behaviour that distracts from learning, art-making or the Studio’s day-to-day operations is not allowed. This includes tardiness (the act of being late regularly or often) or not attending the allocated duration that results in falling behind. Conducting sales, purchases or merchandising others products and brands in class or taking personal calls in class. is prohibited. If you need to take a call please do so with discretion. 

Kerry-Anne Artist/Teacher
As disclosed Kerry-Anne is a person with a disability - Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which is a connective tissue disorder that effects skin, organs, joints and causes fatigue and mobility issues coupled with immune issues (a fairly invisible disability). Kerry-Anne is hyper-mobile thus not stiff and has a ridiculous range of movement and weaker collagen. This means her connective tissue isn't as strong or supportive as it should be resulting in daily/weekly/monthly dislocations/subluxations and other injuries, pain and complications. This is why she works from home to better manage. Kerry-Anne doesn't have any intellectual difficulties and is in-fact highly skilled with many diplomas and degrees. Unfair stress or physical demands are not manageable and can seriously compromise Kerry-Anne's health so please be kind and inclusive at all times as this is an expectation of all at the studio. Sometimes Kerry-Anne has difficulties with emails/txt and computer work as EDS causes intractable pain and physical injuries. Therefore, if she requests phone consultations rather than txt/email please be accomodating. Kerry-Anne cannot move heavy items so classes are carefully set up and packed up outside of class hours by other staff so please do not interfere with any physical set ups. Please also reduce commonly asked questions by reading the information provided at the website, you will also find newsletters and updates at her Facebook page. Dates, costs, outlines are pretty easy to find at the website and term classes follow the NSW school terms. Kerry-Anne is an Artist with Art Lovers Australia and her only income is via teaching limited classes and selling artworks online and at exhibitions so any support is greatly appreciated - follows, likes, shares, recommendations or shop/restaurant consignments or collaborations. 
www.facebook.com/ebbandflowstudioart or www.instagram.com/kerry_anne_knibbs

SAFE MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT AND WORKSPACE
Students are not to bring or use products/materials that are not requested in the materials list. Safe usage and handling of materials is a must, safe instruction and guidance from the teacher will be given. This must be taken seriously and adhered to. Ventilation is important in a studio also. We follow the NSW Health guidelines as well as NAVA guides and WorkCover. 

Do not bring equipment in bags, why because it poses a trip hazard or someone may step on your bag resulting in loss of expensive equipment and spillage of chemicals which could pose a health risk or damage to the studio. If you ignore this rule you maybe liable for damages. 

Most term classes are discounted as some materials are the responsibility of the students (unless it is a short course and it has been advertised as materials provided). Material lists are outlined above. if you turn up to a term class where materials are required, week after week, without the require materials/equipment and you are seen to take advantage of other student's generosity to provide you with materials, or you expect the studio to supply you with the require materials, you will have to pay an additional non-compliant materials/equipment levy of $50 per course (adults) and $30 (high-school).  You can always order online with places like Art Shed or Officeworks.

LEARNING SPACE

The studio is a space for beginners and intermediate learners to build confidence with art techniques and skills to aid development as an art student. Respectfully if a professional artist seeks tuition they will be directed to either the Accelerator class, however, if they are clearly beyond this they will be encouraged to find a Master class in the community. The definition of professional artist is someone who is actively published as such in print, online or being known as an artist (visual artist/designer/influencer) which is different to being an art student.  If a student wishes to be mentored as a teacher, respectfully this must be disclosed by the student as this is not the purposes of the Beginner class or the Accelerator class, therefore, a contract would be negotiated or so the individual is not in breech IP laws.
 

Ebb & Flow Studio does not encourage a competitive or status driven environment. Everyone has the right to be creative without judgment or questioning or competitive behaviour. If you wish to take your art into art competitions please do, but do not pressure others to do the same as competitive behaviour could end someones enjoyment of art or hamper their confidence, 
 

Respect our space. Vandalism or theft or threats of any kind may result in immediate cancellation or prosecution.
 

Smoking is not permitted in the building/premises or within 10 metres of any entrance.
 

NON SOLICITATION EXPLAINED

Entrepreneurs and others are not permitted to solicit against the studio's trading rights. What does this mean?
Soliciting business means seeking the business of potential customers. This may be directly contacting clients/customers or former teachers for the purpose of soliciting. This could include reaching out to clients/customers via phone, email, or social media which would constitute a breech of the fair trade law. Please be aware that the ACCC is cracking down on social media in relation to  Influencers who must follow specific industry codes of practice. 

Another example of solicitation is: you would not go into your local art store and start talking to their customers about specials at another Art store. This relates to classes also. Basically do not interfere with directing customers away from a service through persuasion, poaching, stealing. This sometimes comes up where students may have found an art class that they feel is unrelated but as the studio runs short courses we encourage you to keep that conversation away from our premises and our customers.

REPLACEMENT TEACHERS
From time to time a replacement teacher may step in to teach a class. Please appreciate that it is difficult for them to pick up mid stream, therefore, if the teacher experiences unfriendly or hostile behaviour during or after the session then a student or students, may have their classes cancelled and may not be permitted to return. Teachers are only absent in the event of sickness or compassionate leave.

FEES

Fees will be kept up to date. If you are in arrears you will be asked to bring fees up to date or you may be asked to cease classes. You will need to secure your space from term to term within the stated cut off dates. Which is generally the last day of the term unless the New Year/Christmas period, however the cut date off is always stated. After the cut off date spaces must be forfeited to next inline. A variety of payment options are available so that no one is disadvantaged. This is part of our inclusion policy. These include: PayPal, PayPal Pay-in-4, Credit or Debit via online Square payment. Please do not ask for individual arrangements outside of these options as we have around 100 students and all payments need to fit in with our fee structure and equitable terms. 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Regarding Photography, Kerry-Anne and teachers scaffold all students youth and adults to be successful. Teachers often co-paint or co-create to show techniques. It is important to show examples of artworks achieved in the studio under tuition. Photos taken in the studio of adult students at work and their artworks are intended for promotion of the studio only. If you would prefer your photo, or a photo of your artwork is not taken then please decline when asked. Kerry-Anne and teachers will not show photos of children’s faces, only their artworks. She will not name any students or show faces unless it is a special promotional photo and permission is sort in writing. The Accelerator class is an exception as students in this course are learning how to launch a career thus photo, names and promotions are necessary. 
 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Intellectual property - Kerry-Anne at Ebb & Flow Studio has the intellectual property, rights to all business materials and creations/ designed under the brand ie: website, lesson plans, samples., business identity, promotional content. These are all the intellectual property of Kerry-Anne at Ebb & Flow Studio Art. Facilitators always give full credit to other artists that may be studied for art history and art appreciation. Visiting teachers have intellectual property, rights to their own programs. 
 

COPY RIGHT
Artworks must be originals in order for students to sign, publish, sell or exhibit. We produce only original paintings as our project pieces.
1. Character rights: for example a Disney Character is owned by the Walt Disney trade mark Company.
2. Photographic rights: for example professional photography is owned by the photographer.
Stock photos: have usage agreements as set out by the Company.
Please read about ‘Associated Press Settles Copyright Lawsuit Against Obama 'Hope' Artist’  https://www.wired.com/2011/01/hope-image-flap/

Best practice includes:
1. Drawing and painting from life,
2. Use your own photographs,
3. Use others photographs as reference only,
4. Reference a number of images to give you ideas and visual information only
5. Studies of artworks (practice pieces) and fan art is allowed as along as students do not claim any rights (not to sign, publish, sell or exhibit).

Ebb & Flow Studio only gives advice on the ethical sale and exhibition of original artworks. Students take full responsibility for how they proceed with their own artwork pieces and study pieces if they wish to exhibit or sell.

VISITING TEACHERS
To provide a wide variety of classes visiting teachers can negotiate a short course package with Kerry-Anne. This will be a set price per student with a minimum and maximum booking number to be discussed. If the class doesn't reach the minimum booking requirement it will need to be cancelled. Kerry-Anne will organise organic advertising for all short courses via the Ebb & Flow website and social media. To ensure visiting teachers reach their minimum booking requirements they should share advertising through their networks. Ebb & Flow Studio have a booking service via Paypal or Square which takes around 3%. Hire for the studio is calculated per participant and is discussed via negotiation. Table layouts are included below for table top implementation and can be modified for easels or non table use by negotiation prior to the course. Furniture set up/pack up is the responsibility of the studio, therefore, teachers and students do not move furniture or equipment from designated positions. Visiting teachers are paid upon delivery of their course. All terms and conditions, here in, apply to teachers and students. Please note the Blue Mountains is a ribbon development surrounded by a huge National Park, spanning 63km from Penrith to Mt Victoria, therefore, customers are generally in this catchment area and may include the Hawkesbury. Ebb & Flow Studio is located in the mid to lower mountains and is only 1.5km from Faulconbridge station. The local shopping village is Springwood (3.6km away) which is a beautiful Historic village with 2 pubs (including accommodation) IGA, boutique shops, cafes, restaurants and the famous Hippy Shop which is the largest market bizaar in Sydney with Bohemian fashion, accessories and new age gifts. In the local area you will find Norman Lindsay's Historic Home and Historic Gallery as well as many bush walks. There are also B&B's in the area. These are the closest bush walks: Springwood: https://www.alltrails.com/australia/new-south-wales/springwood/walking. Lawson: https://www.alltrails.com/parks/australia/new-south-wales/lawson-park  There are also other local spots such as the Emu Carvings and Paradise Pool. For local knowledge regarding accomodation, trip advise and bush walks, teachers or students can contact Kerry-Anne via the website. If you would like a personal bush walk guide let us know. 

COVID
Ebb & Flow Studio is registered with NSW Health (Business Advise and Mandates) and we follow relevant advice and instruction.

REFUNDS
Term and short courses:
We only refund a paid course fee in the event that the course doesn't run.
If you request a refund under these circumstances then the Paypal or Square levy and material levy (if applicable) will be deducted.
Or to preserve your full payment you can request a credit note. 
Term classes:
In the case of a serious medical emergency relating directly to the student a refund or exchange will be considered.
If a teacher is sick/absent within a term class we ask that you take a discount code for the next term. 
Why: The studio is small and usually fully booked. If you book but change your mind we can't refund. Materials and equipment are purchased/prepped and we reserve your spot over new comers. Some make-up days are offered at our discretion. Kerry-Anne is very generous with make up classes for term students as she wants students to feel they can finish projects with support, but these are not a given. If you cannot make a class because you have another engagement please do not expect any compensation, please note disputes are not handled by teachers. 

DISPUTES OR COMPLAINTS
If you have a complaint or dispute or you wish to be clear about terms and agreements you need to put it into writing and address it to Dean Knibbs via the message box at the website. Class teachers reserve the right to focus on the class at hand and time after class is reserved for pack up and set up of subsequent classes, administration and other organisational duties.