Costa Mesa

Mia has been working with clay for 5+ years now and is a passionate wheel thrower who loves to work on the wheel and in the studio taking care of the whole process of the students’ pieces. She is also a skilled yoga instructor and soundbath healer and is elemental in our wellness workshops where she fuses her love of clay and wellness into one experience. Our Soundbath Handbuilding Workshops are led by her and healing hands.

Hello im Julio Cesar Hernandez! My interest in ceramics in high school laid the foundation for my artistic journey. As I transitioned to college, my passion for ceramics continued to evolve and deepen, guiding me toward further exploration and growth in the craft! I love to specialize in creating unique and intricate ceramic artworks using bio-inspired themes and techniques. My passion for ceramics and the natural world merge as I explore the intersection of art, anthropology, and biology in my creations.

As a Mexican-born and California native, I love the juxtaposition of the southwest landscapes clashing with urban concrete jungles. I am constantly experimenting with different clay bodies, glazes, and firing techniques to achieve the desired effects in my artwork. Using organic materials, such as plant fibers or animal bone ash, in my work enhances the connection between my art and the natural world.

Karlany has been working with clay for over five years. Her first introduction to ceramics was during high school. While in college, she enrolled in a wheel-throwing class as a way to take a break from her academic coursework. Karlany continued taking ceramics classes through her undergraduate program and has been creating pieces on the wheel ever since. She hopes to continue creating on the wheel and share her passion for ceramics with others.

Sage (they/them) finds pottery as means to practice mindfulness. They believe that the art ceramics surpasses just creating cute pieces, but throwing on the wheel is a reminder to be malleable- always learning, always growing. Sage is studying to be a counselor and loves to practice and teach others how to live mindfully.

I’m Gaia, I grew up with a deep affinity for nature playing in the woods and creek beds. The moment I started working with clay I knew it was my calling.

Remember that clay teaches us a lot about boundaries and listening. A pot or piece will tell you when it’s time to stop working it, and all you have to do is listen and grow in connection to the form.

Her passion for ceramics started when she learned how to hand build clay animals at four years old, and she continued to expand her skills, including wheel throwing, while in college. She specializes in decorative painting of pieces, intricate jewelry dishes and mugs, and pieces embellished with nature motifs. As a hobby, she also makes polymer clay earrings that she sells at craft fairs. She hopes to advance her skills by learning how to make teapots and experimenting with pieces that blend different varieties of clay.

Jordan Gantos is a recent graduate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, receiving their BFA in Studio Art. Jordan has been working in ceramics since 2018, but was introduced to clay for the first time at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach at four or five years old. Jordan is predominantly a thrower - a ceramicist who works on the wheel - though they enjoy making sculptures out of those thrown pieces by building on top and carving away from them. They are greatly interested in woodfire and atmospheric firings, having participated in three wood firings thus far, and plan to continue that study for the rest of their life. Jordan plans on attending graduate school, learning more about the material, spiritual, and sustainable aspects of ceramics, and hopes to be a college professor. They are always interested in talking about clay, but can also be found reading, doing karate, spending time with their friends, and mucking about in nature. 

My name is Sofia, and I was born and raised in San Francisco and have a black cat named Olive. I am currently in school studying to be a Graphic Designer and have continued to explore ceramics throughout my time there. I started when I took classes at a local art studio near my house when I was younger that offered ceramics. It sparked a passion for ceramics, and I was able to continue and explore it further when I got to high school and college. I mainly have a love for working on the wheel but have also explored a bit into hand building and sculpture. My favorite part of ceramics is experimenting with glazes and having a different look or unexpected result each time.