Meet The Team

My name is Mitra and I'm a clay lover. I am an IT consultant by day and a passionate artist by night. Whether it is brainstorming an IT solution for companies, or coming up with a new ceramic form, I am a constant creator in my worlds as both a software engineer and as an artist. Bravely juggling with multiple projects in all spheres of my life, I enjoy doing things that allow me to add more feathers in my hat. Whether it pottery or my IT profession, I am passionate about creating something from nothing. 

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Raising up in a craft-loving family, I remember playing with clay in my early childhood when my father was helping me with throwing a pot on a potter's wheel. I was always looking for a way to express myself creatively and tried many things from acrylic painting, mosaic art, photography - I ended up falling in love with clay. 

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Since 2017, I've been continuously working with clay, developing my skills in both hand-building and wheel throwing. My training has been informal, though I've had the opportunity to learn from professional potters in Iran as well as Australia.

 

I am striving to be a skillful potter, expanding and deepening my abilities in the craft. I am learning new things everyday from glaze making to relief and portrait sculpting.

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In my opinion there is no right or wrong when it comes to making art. I always encourage students to enjoy the journey of playing with clay.

I am a ceramic artist from Switzerland who loves to explore different aspects and uses of clay. In 2015, after discovering a passion for clay, I began a 4-year apprenticeship in ceramics, at the applied arts school in Vevey, Switzerland.  During this time, I was able to learn the basic fundamentals to produce pottery and had the opportunity to discover an artistic expression with clay.

 

During my final year of studies, I had the chance to participate in different work placements which allowed me to explore different applications of clay. I spent a month in Cyprus where we reproduced ancient pottery with the ceramist Andreas Fasoulides. I particularly enjoyed learning how to find clay and reproducing pottery just like in ancient times. I then worked with a local artist, Ruth Vetterli, who works with papier mache, and together we created paper clay sculptures. My final work placement was in a social ceramic workshop where we helped people with disabilities produce and decorate pottery.  

 

Whether it be utilitarian, sculptural, or therapeutic, I realize how fortunate we are to be able to express ourselves through the use of our hands. Guided by my intuition, I am often amazed how my favorite projects evolve from a simple idea inspired by nature around me.

I’m first and foremost a teacher. I learn so that I can teach. I connect to people and their way of working and provide them with enough guidance to make their own discoveries and to inspire and reveal their interests and passions. While I have spent most of my career teaching in the more traditional sense, this has always been tempered with creative nuances and opportunities to ‘make’ while following my own unique and specialised artistic interests.

My clay career and making has meandered with my desire to ‘create’ solutions for everyday tribulations … everyday utensils should be designed for the user and a bowl to eat from requires an organic clay form that fits the hand. An idle moment is an opportunity create something fanciful which beautifies the space.

I’m inspired by the handmade and the homemade, the synergy between the functional, the beautiful and the use of raw materials refined and used in delightful ways that reinterpret their essence and bring pleasure to the user. 

Originally from the Sunshine Coast of California, I moved to Brisbane late January 2022. Back in the US, my journey into ceramics began in College where I took my first hand building class in 2016 and completely fell head over heels with all things clay—Semester after semester, I dived deeper into the ceramic arts. After college, my practice evolved from the classroom to my garage where I continued to learn and grow on my own.

 In my own work, I love to explore functional pieces that bring something special to the everyday— in my world, the mug you choose to drink your morning cup of coffee matters. In moving here, my practice continues to evolve and grow as I am learning to navigate new clays, glazes and processes. 

To me, ceramics represents endless opportunities to learn and grow— I will never reach the state of knowing everything there is to know and that idea excites me— to continue to learn and grow as long as I continue to practice ceramic arts. Learning is a gift and I am excited to share what I have learned thus far with new students itching to dip their toes into the waters of clay.”

I have a long background in the creative realm with roots originally based in the fashion industry. After a one time pottery class, I became hooked on the process of throwing clay on the wheel. Each action involved with throwing acts as a ritual. Since then I have progressed my learning and understanding of throwing. The world of ceramics continues to inspire new shapes and encourage challenges, I continue to create pieces unique to my style. 

 

I encourage students to explore their creativity and enjoy the process of throwing. 

My name is Shontal, I am originally from Jordan, and have lived in Australia for over 22 years. I now reside in Australia and have been creating ceramics for the past three years.

My passion for ceramics began at such a young age, when I attended ceramic schools with my mom at the age of eight. My early exposure to ceramics played a significant role in nurturing my love for this art form, which has now become a central part of my life and creative expression.

I have Completed a bachelor's degree in both art and finance. I showcase my unique creations on my Etsy shop and at a gift shop in Westend, Brisbane. Called Kazuyo's collection.

To see more of my ceramic work and artistic journey, you can find me on Instagram as shontal_ceramic. I also maintain a presence on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook under the same name.