I developed a love for creating with clay as a teen and kept connected while working in advertising & marketing. In 2000, I began teaching clay classes through a 501(c)3 clay studio, then independently in Fairfield County. I expanded into drawing, painting, mixed media and therapeutic art from my ArtCart, to pre-K through 100+ years young students with various abilities. Now more than ever, I believe art is great for the mind, fingers & soul! I feel I have come full circle with the ability to encourage younger (and older) students who also enjoy creating with clay and more.
Over the years, my teaching experience includes: Wilton Continuing Ed (16 years, I created Pre-K Clay, KinderClay, ClayPlay, CiderClay, SummerClay and ClayYourWay Pottery Wheel youth classes, and expanded into Coffee’N Clay for adults); Winston Prep (Middle/High School); Ridgefield Academy; Ridgefield Rec; Oxford Elementary School in Darien; One River in Westport; home school programs; group sessions (e.g., Brownies/Girl Scouts); camps/camp counselor training; fundraising projects; assisting in creating portfolio projects for college admission; and art volunteer at the Open Doors Shelter After-School Best Buddies Program in Norwalk. (CV available upon request)
I bring years of experience and numerous ideas. I tell my students there is no right or wrong and encourage them to go beyond. No matter age or ability, I teach various techniques/methods of hand building with clay and experimenting with color, texture and patterning. I bring an entire clay studio: clay, glazes, ceramic tools, patterning boards, brushes, “models”, ideas, themes… Projects are fired in my studio kiln which involves its own understanding, materials/equipment, maintenance, servicing and know-how, especially with firing different types of clay. During the Pandemic, when students couldn’t come to me for private/semi-private wheel lessons, I transported a wheel to students’ driveways.
I not only teach students creating techniques/methods such as pinch pots, coil pots, slab projects, tiles, sculpting, patterning, weaving with clay… I also teach them about various glaze techniques. I share artists’ works (ceramicists, sculptors, painters, mixed media artists) to be inspired by. They may learn about ceramic works by well-known, up and coming or unknown artists, living and past legends – or, they may create a piece inspired by a visiting artist, e.g., Yayoi Kusama at New York Botanical Gardens, but it may be beyond creating Yayoi’s famous pumpkins. We will also incorporate mixed media with a clay piece after it is glaze fired or in lieu of a glaze on strictly bisqued clay (first firing). Themes may be inspired by nature and environmental situations, political stances, sports, dance or something that interests a student or catches my eye.