Studio Artists
We host a thriving community of artists in our studio and there’s nothing we love more than sharing their work. If you’re looking for a special gift, a commission, or just wanna treat yourself to something special look no further. This talented group of teachers, staff, members and students has you covered. Scroll through and reach out directly to the artist to make your ceramic dreams come true. You’ll find their contact information below.
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Alexis Courtney (East Clay)
she/her
I make functional pots for the kitchen and home with a focus on minimal shapes and modern design.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: I love spending Saturday mornings at Pizza Bones with the fam. Where our daughter can run around, play with chalk, and scamper through the garden with friends.
Sign: Aquarius
I’ve been working with clay since 2006 when I took my very first wheel throwing class in college while studying photography. I still split my time between the two, photo and clay. But clay tends to own most of my heart. I moved to Richmond in 2015 with my partner and have since fallen in love with the city and all it has to offer. We live in Varina where we have 2 cats, a dog, chickens, 2 ducks, and 2 sweet kiddos.
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Carla Kirby Pillsbury (Ware for Life)
she/her
Functional pieces for everyday use
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Favorite Richmond Spot: Tough one! browsing all of the treats at Stella's Market or hopping rocks at the 43rd st islands
Sign: Libra
I am compelled to make things, pots, food, plants grow...I NEED to use my hands. But I also love teaching all things clay and helping people develop their own relationship with making.
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Emily Wicks
she/her
I work in functional and sculptural work focusing on form and the materiality of clay. I love to make work that becomes part of your daily rituals.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: Dinamo
Sign: Pisces Sun, Gemini Moon, Leo Rising
My mind feels most at ease when I’m in motion. The tactile nature of ceramics allows for a sense of ease - a back and forth of material and a feeling of serenity when you’re in sync with the clay.
I love to collaborate. Most recently I created collections for Nothing in Between, Na Nin, Hazelwitch Farm and Celeste Farms; and exhibited at Quirk Gallery, Secret Flowers and the ICA at VCUarts. -
Hanami Morris
they/he
Depending on my mood, I’ll handbuild cute, slightly nostalgic objects or wheelthrow vessels to carve heavily into them with alien-esque textures.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: Scuffletown
Sign: Double aries, Aquarius moon
I graduated with a major in psych and minors in chemistry and craft. I also do metalsmithing!
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Jess Cullen
she/her
I make stoneware pieces that are functional and timeless. I love clean lines, geometric patterns, and color.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: Hard to choose, but the trails in the James River Park System are absolutely one of the best things about our city.
Sign: Leo
My dog, Lucky, is the finest studio partner around.
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Jess Gary (NUNU Ceramics)
she/her
Utilizing a mix of wheel throwing and hand-building techniques, I make simple, sculptural functional objects. NUNU pieces blend tradition and reverence, focusing on simplicity of form.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: The VMFA. Whenever I'm feeling a creative block or am overwhelmed with the world, I love to stand in the galleries and think about the universal experience and long human tradition of art making. It's like church for me.
Sign: Leo sun (Taurus rising/Saggitarius moon)
Born and raised in the Mojave Desert of Southern California, I'm still inspired by the open spaces and sun-drenched landscapes of my hometown. After spending time in Los Angeles and Brooklyn I landed in Richmond in 2021 to set down roots and be close to my family. Prior to finding ceramics, I spent my career as a graphic designer and creative director, with a passion for interiors. Ceramics is the perfect culmination of all of my interests. I love making beautiful objects for people's homes that make ordinary daily routines feel a bit more special.
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Kat Donnally
she/her
My primary focus as a potter is to make functional work with a strong graphic element, such as a geometric black-and-white pattern or a bold glaze combination. I mainly focus on items that can be used throughout the house, like mugs, trinket trays, planters, and garlic holders, but I do occasionally dabble in purely decorative pieces.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: Hobnob in Lakeside - they have a seasonal menu, great brunch, and most importantly, are only 7 minutes from my house!
Sign: Sagittarius or Scorpio, depending on who you ask (November 22nd)
After moving to Richmond in early 2020 and hunkering down for a year due to the pandemic, I took a pottery class on a whim in 2021. I completely fell in love with it, despite the sad, lumpy creations I was making at the time! I now focus on pottery full-time, and am very grateful to be able to do so. My other interests include web design (my pre-pottery profession!), cross stitch, art of pretty much any kind, finding the perfect red lipstick, and cuddling with my husky.
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Kestrel Sharp
they/them
I enjoy making functional ware like mugs, bowls and plates because they can be appreciated within the context of our daily lives. As an artist I hope my work brings enjoyment and happiness to otherwise unassuming objects. I draw inspiration from textiles like Gee's Bend quilts and vintage fabrics because of the playful use of color and pattern. My main focus in pottery is to experiment with different surface design techniques, glazing, and unique shapes to express myself and make objects id like to see in the world.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: Pony Pasture and "The Wetlands" Park System
Sign: Sagittarius
Alongside working with clay, I enjoy creating fiber, stained glass, and found object art. In my free time I love exploring new hiking trails around Richmond, fixing cars, crocheting and watching WWE. My favorite animals are alligators and plovers (a type of bird). I have an affinity for anything chartreuse :)
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Kim Maxwell
she/her
What I most enjoy about clay is that there is always something new to explore, improve on and have fun learning about. I enjoy making functional and sculptural pieces, thrown and handbuilt. Much of my work is carved and painted with brightly colored glaze - and much is left raw to enjoy the texture of the clay. I believe my style is best described as serendipity with a lot of joy in the making. I hope you like it!
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Favorite Richmond Spot: One of my favorite places is Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Volunteering there has helped me get to know a lot about the Virginia native plants and orchids, and I get to dig in the dirt.
Sign: Gemini
I moved to Richmond about 3 years ago, discovering it has changed quite a bit since my graduate school days at MCV. I've had a blast visiting the different neighborhoods in RVA. I have a current goal of 2 new restaurants a month because there are so many good ones; This goal has been challenging because I revisit the ones already sampled as they were so awesome
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Lelia Jenkins
she/her
My work consists of wheel thrown pottery with straight, rigid forms and surface decoration that combines bright geometric shapes and loose splashes of color.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: My favorite Richmond spot is the pipeline walk.
Sign: Aries
I deeply love sharing the beauty of ceramics with others, whether that be teaching Give It a Shot! classes at hand/thrown or sharing pottery knowledge at our local pottery supply store, Clayworks Supplies. I am passionate about the craft and I need everyone to know why!! When I am not engulfed in the world of pottery, I love being a lizard at the river, checking out live music and events around the city, and dissociating into Sims 4 a little bit.
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Lindsay Wood
she/her
I have a playful approach to working with clay, allowing myself to lead with curiosity and intuition. In this busy life, it’s imperative to take time and space to simply enjoy and play and create. Handbuilding is my jam, and I love to experiment with different forms and techniques. Lately I’ve been creating a lot of wall art, like curiosity shelves and wall vases. I also enjoy surface design as a way to express my memories, feelings, and my love of nature.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: Forest Hill Park! It’s basically my front yard, so the accessibility has allowed me to form rituals and a unique bond with the park. I love walking the trails and having moments where I forget I’m in a city. It allows me the space I need to breathe, reset and reflect. Every summer I look forward to seeing the beautiful water lilies, and the live music Sunday series.
Sign: Leo
A Virginia native, I grew up in the Richmond area and went to VCU. I worked in the craft beer industry for over a decade, during which I picked up ceramics as a hobby. I then ventured into the nonprofit sector, where I remain today, all the while making and teaching ceramics classes part time. I love to cook and listen to audiobooks, and am a big movie nerd. I stay active and get outside as much as possible. Lastly, I love an adventure and am always planning my next travel destination!
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People Via Plants
Matt Spahr he/they
Val Molnar she/theySmall batch slip cast colorful textured functional objects
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Favorite Richmond Spot: Other than Hand/Thrown?! Perk! Blanchards!
Sign: We are both fire signs - Matt is a Leo and Val is Aries
We are two best buddies who have collaborated on many projects, but none as favorite as PVP. We started learning ceramics in 2018 because we love houseplants and we wanted more planters with good drainage.
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Rice Evans
she/her
Ceramic sculpture inspired by childhood nostalgia
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Favorite Richmond Spot: Gwar Bar
Sign: Aquarius
Rice Evans is a queer sculptor that primarily works with clay. She received her BFA from the New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2016 and her MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021. Evans is originally from the Midwest and currently lives and works in Richmond, Virginia. She has exhibited throughout the United States, most notably at the Institute for Contemporary Art, The Modlin Museum, and a solo exhibition at Alma's gallery. Evans is the recipient of four research grants from VCUArts Craft/Material Studies department, where she is an adjunct faculty and the ceramic studio coordinator. In June 2024, Evans was an artist in residence at Medalta, a historic pottery factory in Alberta, Canada.
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Stephanie Rowan
she/her
I enjoy making functional pottery, especially jars and bowls. I like to include native plants in my glaze designs.
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Favorite Richmond Spot: I love going to local coffee shops including IronClad, Perk, and Sefton Coffee.
Sign: Libra
I am a middle school English teacher and Master Naturalist. I love spending time outdoors gardening, hiking, biking, sailing, paddling and nature journaling.