He was introduced to pottery and SPG after friends took him to his first SPG Chili Feed in 2019. You’ll usually find him on the wheel throwing functional wares, large pieces, or trying out new techniques. Smokey hopes to instill a passion for ceramics and the confidence to smash pieces and try again.

I’ve had my hands in clay for 35 years, 25 of them at a Community College in Arizona taking and teaching classes. We had a great group studio environment much like SPG. I enjoy it all from coiling giant pots to throwing tiny bowls and building with slabs. My home studio is a fun place to work but being part of SPG with all the inspiration and community there is better!

I started dabbling in pottery when I was a graduate student in the late 1970s and have dabbled on and off, mostly off, ever since. When I retired and returned to Spokane, I found Spokane Potters Guild, took my first class in fall 2021 and couldn’t stop.  I especially like hand building but I totally enjoy the process and am hoping to keep learning new stuff and getting better.

I have done some form of pottery off and on as life allowed since I was about 17.  I started out with a hand building class and then learned on a kick wheel.  I also worked managing a pouring room for a ceramic shop.  Had some long gaps where I had no access to pottery opportunities.  Took some classes in wheel when I went back to school.  Now I'm retired and have been able to take it up again.

My 1st opportunity to play with mud was in Wisconsin in the late 70’s while in college….then life happened, marriage, 3 children and some moves around the country. In 2019 my daughter Emily signed us both up for a wheel class at SPG. I was once again hooked. Last year I joined Nina as her assistant. I enjoy coming along side Nina and watching students create and play in the mud. My goal is for them to enjoy their time at SPG as much as I do.

He was introduced to pottery and SPG after friends took him to his first SPG Chilli Feed in 2019. You’ll usually find him on the wheel throwing functional wares, large pieces, or trying out new techniques. Smokey hopes to instill a passion for ceramics and the confidence to smash pieces and try again.

I started doing pottery in Highschool in 1999-2001. I taught pottery to K-12th grade students for three years during and after covid. When covid hit I decided to take the opportunity to further my education in pottery so I joined SPG. I soon discovered I love pottery and started learning everything I could about the process so I can start my own studio someday. I have taught wheel at SPG, and am now teaching handbuilding.

I have done pottery on and off throughout my life. When the studio opened up after Covid I took a few classes and decided to help teach handbuilding. Now I am a handbuilding teacher for the past year and love sharing my love of pottery and art with the students. 

I began my pottery journey here at SPG in October of 2015, taking my first class. Since that time I became a member of the Board as the Treasurer from 2017-2023. I also became a teacher first as an assistant from 2018 to 2019, then became the regular Wednesday teacher the same year and continue today. My love of pottery in all of its forms makes the Spokane Potters Guild my favorite place to be.

I have enjoyed the pottery process since my first exposure to it in high school. Creating a piece can bring a multitude of challenges for people at ability levels. The amount of effort that is put into a project feels worth it when you are holding a finished piece in your hands that you’re excited about. I have been teaching at the Spokane Potters Guild for 1.5 years. I enjoy sharing the creative process with people who are interested in learning and improving, teaching at Spokane Potters Guild has been a lot of fun.

My journey in clay started 16 years ago with a Sculpture & Design class. I fully immersed myself back into pottery about 2.5 years ago. I enjoy pottery because it presents a unique challenge that sets it apart from any other activity. The process of shaping clay, with its blend of precision and spontaneity, requires a level of skill and creativity unlike anything else. Pottery demands a deep understanding of materials and techniques that are entirely its own, making every piece a distinct and personal achievement.

I began my pottery journey in Corpus Christi, Texas, and joined the Spokane Potter's Guild in 2023. I enjoy handbuilding, with a focus on mask making, and using nature to inspire her creative process.

I have been throwing pottery for the past 8 years, I started teaching at Spokane Potters Guild three years ago. My favorite part of teaching is seeing the joy and satisfaction a student’s face after throwing their very first piece of pottery.

I started dabbling in pottery when I was a graduate student in the late 1970s and have dabbled on and off, mostly off, ever since. When I retired and returned to Spokane, I found Spokane Potters Guild, took my first class in fall 2021 and couldn’t stop.  I especially like hand building but I totally enjoy the process and am hoping to keep learning new stuff and getting better.

Leslie, Angela, Claressa