InstructorS
•Megan•
Originally born in Potsdam, Germany, Megan has lived all over the United States and now calls the bold city of Jacksonville, Florida home. She received her degree from Jacksonville University with a double concentration in Ceramics and Glass. She is passionate about the arts and is a practicing visual artist in several media. Megan's art is a reflection of her interest in the natural world surrounding her. Megan is also a registered yoga teacher and says that the meditative practice helps to further inspire her designs. Megan’s sculptures can be found in a few local galleries. She is extremely thankful for her opportunities in the arts and is an advocate for giving back to the community.Megan is a volunteer at the nonprofit Word Revolt Art Gallery and local beach cleanup efforts. She is well connected in the Jacksonville and Beaches area. Megan says, "The arts are especially crucial during this pandemic to uplift morale and usher in a new era. I am proud to serve the artists and community through my role at the Jacksonville Pottery Studio
•Kristin•
I was first introduced to ceramics in high school and continued my studies at the University of North Florida where I graduated with my BFA in Sculpture and Ceramics. I have been fortunate enough to work as an artist in residence and teacher for the last few years at a nonprofit art center and am very excited to begin teaching at JPS. I do most of my work out of my home garage studio and tend to pull inspiration from my garden and the nature around me. Feel free to check out some of my work or drop me a line at @star.heart.studios
•Bella•
I began pottery by taking a class with Cat! I was skeptical and didn’t think I would enjoy it but my friends dragged me along, it’s been true love ever since! I love to teach and can’t wait to spread the joy of ceramics to students. I have a small pottery studio at my house and you can find me online at @annabellaceramics!
•Katelyn•
She is a Jacksonville, Florida native. She has been throwing for more than four years. Her work focuses on functional ware. When she’s not throwing she can be found reading a book.
•Sadie•
Sadie McLaughlin discovered her passion for clay during her senior year of college at The University of North Florida. After she obtained her BFA degree in painting, drawing, and printmaking, she stayed enrolled at the university as a post-bacc student in ceramics to expanded her knowledge of the medium and wood-firing. Her work is typically thrown and altered forms that combine both hand building and wheel throwing techniques. When Sadie isn’t at the studio she likes to throw herself into her other interests such as rock climbing or drawing.
•Katie•
Katie began working with clay in 2013 while taking AP 3D Art and was instantly hooked by the creative potential of the medium. While earning her degree at the University of North Florida, Katie completed a variety of studio arts courses, including ceramics, to become certified as a public school art teacher.
Since 2021, Katie has taught both 2D and 3D art in Duval County Public Schools, where she encourages her students to explore a wide range of materials and techniques. Her personal ceramic work is primarily functional, but she enjoys experimenting with diverse forms and processes. She loves both hand building and wheel throwing and finds joy in sharing her knowledge through teaching.
Outside of ceramics, Katie enjoys oil and acrylic painting, drawing, stained glass, reading, and spending quality time with her husband, family, and their beloved cat. She is proud to be part of the Jacksonville pottery community, where she continues to grow as an artist and build friendships with fellow makers.
Keep up with her latest creations at katie_brown_art on Instagram and katiebrownart on TikTok!
•Sonia•
Sonia Vera-León is a ceramic artist and educator based in Jacksonville, FL. She received her MFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in ceramics from the University of Florida in 2022 and is currently Studio Director of the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts & Humanities at Jacksonville University. Prior to earning her MFA, Vera-León worked as head art lab technician at Barry University while volunteering and teaching at the Ceramic League of Miami. Her work is rooted in traditional ceramic methods of making, while also being informed by contemporary practices such as installation and ephemerality. Vera-León’s work has been exhibited nationally at Blue Line Arts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and the Clay Center of New Orleans.
•Abigail•
On Christmas morning in 2021, Abigail, the maker behind Hemmaliv Ceramics, was gifted a 5-week wheel throwing pottery course by her husband, Ryan. After the course finished, she joined the local studio as a member where she spent hours growing in her craft. Pottery quickly became a great creative outlet and source of enjoyment for her.
As her ceramics journey progressed, a few requests came in for her to sell some of the pieces she had made. Through the process of making her first sales, she began to brainstorm what it would look like for pottery to become more than a hobby.
During this time, she started reflecting on the years she had spent traveling to and living in the Scandinavian country of Sweden throughout her late teenage years and early twenties. She was greatly influenced by their slower pace of life and the way the Swedes love to create a cozy home. There were many candlelit dinners and warm cups of coffee while enjoying Fika with friends. It was through a few back and forth conversations with one of her dear Swedish friends about the direction her ceramics were going that she settled upon the name Hemmaliv for her work. Hemmaliv (pronounced “hemma-leave”) directly translated from Swedish means “home life.”
Her hope from the start has been to create pieces for everyday use that will add a little cozy to your home. Pieces that help create a space where you can slow down and soak in the beautiful moments of everyday living. @hemmaliv_ceramics
Studio MANAGEMENT
•Cat•
The Jacksonville Pottery Studio is owned by Cat Seibler, also the owner of Cat Scratch Ceramics. Cat has known she wanted to open up a pottery studio in Jacksonville as soon as she started her career in the arts. She started off taking a pottery class in her home town Tampa, at the Academy of the Holy Names High School. She instantly knew this was her calling but she also learned as she went on to college her love of business and management. Cat started her degree in management, but it was her love of being an athlete rower and ceramicists where she found herself transferring to Jacksonville University.
Cat took on an internship in 2014 to work for the Public Art Sector of the Cultural Council and fell in love with the management part of the arts. She then took on teaching throwing classes at a local non profit art center and made her way with Cat Scratch in selling her work at local markets, but her love was really in spreading her love of teaching and she knew Jacksonville was in need of a Pottery studio.
This is when Jacksonville Pottery Studio was born. Jacksonville Pottery Studio is a community space to make and share the love the of the craft of pottery with others.
The Jacksonville Pottery Studio is a community pottery studio with weekly classes on how to make pottery and a shared community center for members to use the space to make their very own creations.
“I created this space for the community and I am so excited that Jacksonville Pottery Studio has become such a true family of members and students who all share in the love of creating.”
•Zoë•
Zoë has been working with clay since 2013. After graduating from Fletcher High School she went to FSCJ on a full ceramics scholarship. Continuing to expand her skills and working as a studio assistant on campus. After graduating she moved to Orlando and started her ceramics career. There teaching hand building & wheel throwing to K-5 for 3 years. Now she resides in Atlantic Beach with her husband, dog & two cats. Zoë is the manager and educator at Jacksonville Pottery Studio. A personal studio assistant for local artist Kathy Skaggs. As well as an educational contractor for AMACO. Specializing in international workshops on mid-range cone 5/6 glazes. Check out what she’s currently up to on Instagram @thepotteryprincess !
•Jess•
Jess, originally from Baltimore, MD, moved to Florida for college and decided to stay, now calls the Sunshine State her home. You can often find her in the Murray Hill area, selling pottery at local markets. Jess has always been drawn to artistic hobbies, including crocheting, painting, wreath making, and pottery.
Jess's journey at Jacksonville Pottery Studio began with a “Sip & Spin” class, followed by a five-week course. Her interest quickly grew from casual studio visits to becoming a member and now the Studio’s Assistant Manger. Pottery has become her passion, and she loves exploring new techniques and sharing the world of pottery with others.
•Payton•
Payton was born in Orlando, Florida, and grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. She returned to Florida for college at Florida State University, earning a degree in Sociology with a minor in Hospitality Management.
Payton has loved pottery for many years, taking classes throughout her youth, high school, and college. She started at Jacksonville Pottery Studio in fall 2022 with a beginner wheel-throwing class and hasn’t looked back. When she's not at the studio, she enjoys tending to her plants and garden, watching scary movies, and spending time with her husband and their pup. You can see what she’s up to on Instagram @pottery.by.payton !
Studio ASSISTAnts
•Racheal•
I was born and raised in Orlando, FL before I moved to the 904 back in 2017! In Jacksonville, I have had amazing opportunities to travel to 7 other countries, graduate with my MBA, and meet so many amazing people!
I found my passion for ceramics in Spring of 2022 when I took the 5 week course at Jacksonville Pottery Studio. Once I got my hands on the wheel, I knew it would be hard to take them off. Learning more about the process of ceramics was on my mind and I needed to know more… That’s when I joined Jacksonville Pottery Studio later in the year as a studio assistant. Now I get to work with talented people and expand my skills and knowledge in Pottery.
When I’m not at the studio you can find me at the gym, watching scary movies, or hanging out with my cat, Poe!
•Quentin•
My life has revolved around art for as long as I can remember, whatever the medium I just love to create. I started my journey with sculpture and ceramics freshman year of high school and was instantly hooked, twelve years later and I’m still in love! I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design where I majored in sequential art with a concentration in sculpture and drawing. After graduating from SCAD with my BFA, I moved to Jacksonville in 2022. Most of my pieces are wheel-thrown and functional. I would describe my art style as fun, charming, and spontaneous! In my free time I like to play board games, video games, sculpt, draw, and just enjoy life! Check out what I’m up to and what pieces I’m making @quentin.murphy.ceramics on Instagram!
•Hannah•
Hannah grew up in Pennsylvania, and attended University of North Florida for her BFA with a concentration in ceramics. Her work is primary functional and thrown on the wheel. Hannah decorates her surfaces with vibrant underglazes, funky drawings, and characters. She takes inspiration from jazz music and nightlife when creating pottery. She loves being a part of the clay community and engaging with other potters. When Hannah isn’t at the studio she enjoys live music, coffee shops, and the beach.
Stay up to date with Hannah on Instagram @hmiddlebrooks.pottery
