@marwenarts is a wonderful place to make art. It is one of the most open and inclusive communities I have ever been a part of. They are special people who provide a service that makes a difference for so many young artists in Chicago.
The kids who come through our classes are from all over the city and Marwen provides them with a safe space and the tools so they can express them selves.

My time at Marwen has shaped me as a teaching artist. They have helping me to develop my curriculum and workshops as well as providing me the opportunities to observe and learn from the other teachers and artists.
Thank you Marwen for everything you do. #claygratitude (at Marwen)

I began teaching at @thrownelementspottery in July 2015. This studio community has been the most fun, welcoming and supportive group of people I have been lucky enough to work with. The staff is a talented group of artists who have shown me many of the techniques I use when teaching my classes and workshops. They gave me the opportunity to teach adult beginner and advanced classes to groups of students who have been serious learners exploring process, function and design with me each week. Teaching them has given me the chance to grow as a maker and become a better explainer of the process.
I have also been teaching the Sunday teen class and it has been so much fun to make art with this group of creative and exciting kids. Today is the last time I will teach this group of kids as I take on new challenges and opportunities on Sundays. Enjoy finishing up huge alien heads

@heyjeneighbor has been my collaborator, supporter, biggest fan and best friend for more than seven years. There isn’t another person I owe more #claygratitude than Jenee.

I started renting my studio at Darrow Street Studios in 2012. It was from this space I filled my first large restaurant order for 150 bowls for Dimos Pizza. It has been a wonderful place to practice and work, in part due to the complete freedom I have there. Linda and Christine not only built a beautiful and functional space for all of us to work in, but a great little community that has been special to be a part of. Linda and Christine, thank you for the space to grow, resources to experiment and supportive friendships. #claygratitude (at Darrow Street Studios)

I met Jack Troy in 2011 at Ox-bow when he was teaching a two week wood firing workshop that Counted for my last college credits at SAIC. During the few conversations I had with him, he asked me the questions that led me to decide to try and be a potter for a living. The massive amount of knowledge he gave me along with that brief bit of guidance led me to rent my studio and focus my time and energy where I could to making pots. That process began during that workshop and four years later I was finally able to quit my last restaurant job. Thanks Jack for helping me see the possibilities. #claygratitude (at Ox-Bow, school of art and artists’ residency)

During this particular pit firing in 2011 with my great uncle Chuckie we burned all of the furniture in his studio along with the pruned branches from his olive trees. While it burned we sat listening to Egyptian pop stars from the 70’s, making paper from the bark of his trees. Over many years he has given me guidance with my art and been an inspiration, working hard and being brave and hopeful in the face of darkness. More than anything I am grateful for the true friend I have on the other side of the world. Love you uncle Chuckie. #claygratitude (at Orot, Hadarom, Israel)