When you take a class at Art Alliance of Greensboro, you will have the opportunity to be taught by some of the best in their craft.

Patrick Rowe-Studio Manager
Patrick Rowe-Studio Manager Patrick Rowe has worked as a professional production potter for more then 20 years. Currently, he is working with wood fired, functional stoneware and porcelain. He also works as a production potter for hire in the Seagrove area and across the state. In this capacity he produces thousands of pieces each year suited to the individual design standards of each shop. He has experience working with many different types of clay and firing processes. Patrick is the Studio Manager at Art Alliance of Greensboro where he also teaches adult and, youth classes.

 

LT Hoisington- LT received his MFA in Studio Art and Sculpture from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1992. He has been teaching at Art Alliance for over 18 years. He has also taught at UNCG in the ceramics department. In addition to participating in many local juried exhibitions, he has also been recognized internationally and has had his work published in two books.

 

Peter Strafaci– Peter first became involved in pottery while completing his degrees at SUNY at New Paltz, where he earned his BS in Art Education and his MS in School Administration. He returned to his love of pottery after retiring. His work is attributed to a strong belief that God gifted him with hands to create. His unique hand built pieces, coupled with the use of surface texture and earthen colors often reflect Peter’s love of nature. Peter’s studio and gallery are located in Oak Ridge on the property where he resides. His work is exhibited and sold locally throughout Greensboro.
Leanne Pizio– Born in Burlington NC Leanne grew up with 3 sisters, 2 wonderful parents, and many fun animals. She went to UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated with a B.A. in Art and a B.A. in Psychology. Later she attended UNC-Greensboro and received an M.F.A. in 1995. Having worked many different jobs through the years to support her work Leanne is now happy to be able to work at home full time in her studio. In 2002, she married a super fantastic man and moved to a log cabin in the country where they have 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 7 chickens.

 

Ray Knirs– Ray moved to North Carolina from Michigan several years ago but it wasn’t until 2012 that he fell in love with the rich red clay of the Piedmont. That’s when he took a class and discovered that ceramics was “it” for him. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in Ceramics from Guilford College in 2016. Soon after, he retired from his 25 year auto mechanic job to make pots full time and teach pottery. A natural teacher, Ray loves to share his knowledge and technique with everyone. He believes that there should always be fun involved when making pottery. Ray makes pottery through various firing techniques to bring out the vibrancy of the glaze; his favorite is wood firing. Check out his work here: potterybyray.com

 

Clem Thomas-I am Clem Thomas, I received my BFA in sculpture and ceramics from UNCG. I enjoy making functional ceramics, but ceramic sculpture is where I feel I am able to fully express myself within my art. I am a glaze nerd and a budding wood fire ceramicist. I love to share what I know about pottery and hopefully inspire creativity.

 

Kat Hawks– Kat Hawks was born and raised in Asheboro, NC. She completed a B.A. in psychology in 2004 at Guilford College. She moved on to complete a Master of Arts in psychology in 2011 at the University of West Georgia. During her graduate studies she developed an interest in art therapy and the role creativity plays in mental health. After graduation she moved home to the Piedmont area and began teaching. She was a substitute for Chatham County Schools and spent several summers teaching academically advanced students for the Summer Institute for the Gifted at the UCLA campus. She then decided to pursue her long-term goal of studying ceramics, so she returned to Guilford College to complete a Bachelor of Arts with Ceramics focus. Since her return to Guilford, she has worked as a teacher’s assistant in their ceramics studio and also as their studio technician, where she discovered her fondness for mixing and testing glazes. She has developed her skills in handbuilding through her love of working with colored clay in the nerikomi style, and when at the wheel has a fondness for throwing agateware with colored clay that she makes herself in her home studio.
Kelly Taylor- I’m Kelly L. Taylor. I make dramatic still life paintings of antique and vintage items — found, inherited, and compulsively collected — to show that life goes on for the objects that are left behind. A transplanted Upstate New Yorker, and former Bostonian, I’m a graduate of Guilford College in Greensboro, NC where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus in oil painting and an AB in English. Active in the Triad, North Carolina art community, I exhibit work in local galleries and participate in artist collaboratives. For more information and to view my work go to https://paintingpoppy.com/

 Jane Ann Kepley has a BFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is a retired art teacher with Guilford County Schools. She has built her own home art studio and continues to enjoy teaching and making art.

Tracy Raxter – Teen Pottery


Martha Garrett – Homeschool Pottery

Martha Garrett has an M.F.A from Tulane University. Her educational background and
particular focus over the years has mostly been in clay and sculpture. She began
teaching art at the middle school level in 1996. Martha taught art at the high school
level from 2005 to 2021. While working as an art teacher she was required to become
proficient in various media. During her tenure as a high school teacher, she taught
Photography, Honors Studio Art, AP Studio Art, AP Art History, Graphic Design and
several sections of Pottery. Martha appreciates the opportunity to work with young
people and share her enthusiasm for making art with them. Since retirement, Martha
has joined the Art Alliance as a student. She loves the excellent instruction, facilities
and community there. She began teaching a Youth Pottery class in November of 2022.

Bobbie Petersen – Homeschool Drawing & Painting

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