Our Instructors

Bio Coming Soon

Bill has been creating handmade pottery since 1974. In his early days he used stoneware in an electric kiln. He took up an interest in wood-firing in 2009. Wood fired pottery is the ancient form of firing and the most challenging, which he was drawn to. And being an outdoorsman he connected with the earthy, rustic look. His previous kiln took 3 1/2 months to fill and over 22 hours of continuous firing and he’s currently building a new kiln which will fire in less time.

John Vorstadt is a ceramic artist and illustrator from Dryden, New York. His ceramic work is focused on creating functional forms displaying process and materiality. In 2015 he graduated from Alfred University with a BA in Interdisciplinary Art and is the recipient of the Kiki Smith Fellowship. Following, John completed a post baccalaureate from the University of Florida and has been teaching and displaying work nationally for the past 8 years. John has taught classes at the University of FL, Gainesville, Flamingo Clay Studio, Lake Worth Florida and Open Arts Studio in Tacoma Washington. In his free time John likes to hike, swim, and listen to live music.

Annette is a retired art teacher of 28 years and lives in Homer. She exercises her creativity in several mediums. Ceramic arts has been a natural fit in her retirement. She has enjoyed, and continues to teach classes at Pottery Works for the past three years.

Virginia Shank is an English professor by day and a potter whenever she can fit time in at the wheel. She took her first pottery class at ten years old, but only had chances to study it sporadically until joining the Pottery Works studio in 2024. For her, pottery is an art form, a craft, a meditative practice, and a great source of joy. When else can adults get so muddy?

Grace always dreamed of learning pottery, but it was a Pottery Works Date Night that finally sparked her passion. Now, having found her rhythm, she's eager to share the art of handbuilding with others.

Yasmin is a lifelong artist who discovered ceramics and felt like it was the perfect intersection of all her favorite things. She has always been connected with teaching and art, mainly in museum spaces, but enjoys the love and community of Pottery Works. 

Deb began her journey in art during college. She graduated with a BA in Art Education/K-12. Her journey in ceramics began in 2016 when she reached out to the Ceramics Department Chair at SUNY Cortland, Jeremiah Donovan, legendary potter, and was approved to audit the Ceramics Class which she continued until Covid. Deb owns her own wheel and kiln, and loves making pottery.

Bio Coming Soon