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
•Britta•
Britta grew up in South Carolina and received a degree in Hospitality and tourism from College of Charleston. After college she spent time living abroad in Denmark and eventually ended up back in the states in Jacksonville, FL. Looking for a way to meet new people and release some creative energy she stumbled across wheel throwing classes being taught by Jacksonville Pottery Studio owner, Cat. It was instantly love at first pot, and Britta has been throwing pottery ever since. During the day she works as a marketing manager, but her real love is teaching 5-week pottery courses at the studio. She loves connecting with her students and sharing her passion for the craft. Her work is inspired by Danish design and is continuously developing, but you will most likely find her pieces embellished with free hand drawn flowers in gold luster. Follow her on instagram @brittashaepottery
•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.
•Cassie•
I grew up in Pennsylvania, and went to college in Syracuse, NY for biology. I moved to Sacramento, CA to do endangered species work, which eventually brought me to Jacksonville. While working on my bachelor's degree, I had taken a course in ceramics and fell in love with it. I've been doing pottery on all my adventures ever since! You can find my work on Instagram @cas_ceramics
When I'm not making pots or working my day job, I'm usually reading, making things through other creative outlets, or playing cello in the Jacksonville Civic Orchestra.
•Ryan•
Ryan Fletcher is an artist, entrepreneur, sales professional, husband and father living and working in Jacksonville, FL. In 2010 Ryan graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Ceramics from the Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri. At KCAI, Ryan studied under various artists such as Paul Donnelly, Cary Esser, George Timmok, Misty Gamble and Christa Assad becoming proficient in various ceramic techniques including wheel throwing, slip casting, hand-building, and large-scale sculpture. While there, Ryan spent a summer abroad studying with artist Marek Cecula in Kielce, Poland, which began a lasting obsession with slip casting, minimalism and industrial design. Check out his website for more!
•Sonia Nowak-Vera•
Sonia Nowak-Vera 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, Nowak-Vera 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. Nowak-Vera’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in galleries such as Blue Line Arts, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and the Clay Center of New Orleans.
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.
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!
•Madeline•
Being from Jacksonville, I graduated from University of North Florida after double majoring in Philosophy and Fine Arts with a concentration in painting, drawing, and printmaking and a minor in Art History. I took a ceramics course my last semester of college and really loved it so I sought ways to continue practicing the medium. I landed at Jacksonville Pottery Studio and found a place to learn and a community of people passionate about ceramics. I enjoy both hand building and wheel throwing so long as I’m just playing with clay. When I’m not at the studio I try to spend as much time as I can doing what I enjoy - painting, drawing, and reading.
•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. During her first year, she met her partner, Jimmy, and after graduation, they moved to his hometown of Jacksonville.
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 !
•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. I would describe my art style as fun and cute, with a touch of whimsy! In my free time I like to play board games and video games, sculpt, draw, and just enjoy life! Check out what I’m up to and what pieces I’m making @quentinmurphyart on Instagram!
•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.
