Meet the Instructors
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Kristin L. Kristin joined South Bay Artist Studio as its first ceramics member in 2022, and currently serves as business manager and ceramics teacher. A philanthropy consultant by day, Kristin has spent the last several years learning and refining her skills on the wheel. Believing in ceramics as "therapy", she champions process over product when it comes to her work. Kristin has tinkered in knitting, beading, sewing and weaving, and is often accompanied in the studio by her children. |
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Kim F. - Events Coordinator Kim found South Bay Artist Studio in October 2022 while on leave from her full-time job as a flight attendant due to an injury. Although she wasn’t able to enjoy making art right away, she found joy in helping Sara and the rest of the instructors organize the space and answer the phone. Kim quickly became the volunteer studio coordinator. After nearly a year of observing classes and learning, Kim is now officially an instructor at the studio, with her focus being on fused glass. |
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Keiko S.- Studio Manager I am a stained glass and ceramic artist from the South Bay. I graduated from Cal State Fullerton with my Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art in May 2024 and discovered South Bay Artist Studio soon after. During my time in college, I learned a wide range of mediums, but I found that stained glass and ceramics are what I have a passion for. I love being hands-on with my work and taking time to slow down and enjoy each step of the process. |
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Ann P. I am an illustrator and ceramic artist living and working in the South Bay. My ceramics, drawings and paintings are based on my lifelong love of animals, pop culture and family. Synesthesia (an involuntary phenomenon in which the stimulation of one sense causes the automatic experience of another sense) and 1970’s visual culture dictate the vibrant colors and pop culture aesthetics of my art. My work can be seen here: http://www.annpickard.com. |
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Alyssa Q. I'm a sculptor and photographer from Las Vegas. I moved here to attend Otis College and I've been living here ever since. When the first quarantine happened, I had nothing to do but spend hours every day alone in my school's studio trying to teach myself to use the wheel - now I can't imagine my life without it. I think learning to shape clay builds a connection between the mind and body that goes so far beyond just making a vase or cup. |
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Mia S. I am a potter and ceramic artist originally from the Philly area. I graduated from Coastal Carolina University, where I was a Division I athlete and earned a degree in Public Health. Toward the end of my undergrad years, I discovered a passion for ceramics, which led me to pursue a fifth year at the University of Rhode Island, where I earned a BA in Studio Art and helped launch the school’s inaugurl collegiate lacrosse team.Recently, I moved to Los Angeles to explore new opportunities and have joined the LA Select Girls Lacrosse Club as an assistant director. Living in LA has given me the best of both worlds; a chance to give back to the sport that shaped me, while also growing as an artist and connecting with a new community. |
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Brooke M. I’ve been an artist my entire life - I drew like every other kid, but also attempted my first sewing project at age five (using rags and a spool of red thread my mom let me have), and sewed my first quilt at six. My formal studio art training didn’t come until college and afterward, where I studied traditional oil painting, plein air painting, still life drawing and portraiture alongside animation arts. I’ve never met a visual art or craft I didn’t think I could figure out; I was sewing and painting as a little kid, but just learned book binding and linocut printing this year. My style tends traditional, but I love using technology like digital painting and cutting machines to bring new possibilities to centuries old art forms like needlepoint, book binding, and oil painting. |
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Carla Tome Born and raised Los Angeles, CA woman. She received her BFA from San Francisco Art Institute and is a Ceramicist, Painter, Illustrator, Woodworker and artist. She is also an experienced Art instructor to the young and the old in many different capacities from institutions such as East Los Angeles College, Plaza De La Raza, and Craft Contemporary Museum. Carla Tome’s art is most directly influenced by Modern art, craft and design along with North and South American Indigenous art and pottery that she grew up surrounded by as a child. Her unique multi-cultural make up of, half Japanese-Peruvian and half Italian and all Californian nurtured her multi-dimensional old and new world perspectives on life and creating. She draws from the shapes, colors, patterns and textures of her natural and urban landscape and combines them either abstractly, realistically or in a fusion of the two: “All my work is influenced by my surroundings; landscape/architecture/flora/fauna, my memories, travels, dreams, musings, studies; past and continued.” |
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Mary M.
Establishing Sorella Minchella in 2017, Mary Minchella combines her self-taught floral skills with a love for succulents, offering bespoke party favors, tags, and vibrant party goods. Her style emphasizes lush, colorful arrangements that elevate any event's atmosphere. Expanding beyond events, Sorella Minchella now provides unique plant-themed gifts, stunning indoor and outdoor succulent arrangements, and engaging on-site planting experiences for diverse occasions. Mary's commitment to detail shines through in her hosting of lively succulent planting parties and classes, fostering creativity for corporate events or intimate gatherings. Her dedication to infusing each creation with humor, love, and top-notch quality defines Sorella Minchella as a destination for thoughtful gifting and elegant event displays. |
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Angi G. Angi Glenn is an Artist, Jewelry Designer, and Jewelry Instructor. She has been creating her own jewelry line Tiny Armour for the last 20 years which she sells in various boutiques and online stores. Her passion for exploring new techniques and materials continues to expand and is evident in her unique designs. Traditional Metalsmithing, Lost Wax Casting, and Silver Metal Clay are a few of the processes Angi uses most in her own work and is excited to share that knowledge with others. She offers fun beginner friendly jewelry making workshops that invite you to discover the joy of getting lost in the creative process while crafting your own unique pieces. |
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Daniel M. Daniel is a multidisciplinary creative in the arts, with a focus on ceramics, woodworking and illustration. Having a career in animation, Daniel likes to bring his characters and stories into his ceramic work through many different techniques like sgraffito, wax resist, painting and hand illustration with underglazes. He thrives on the joy of seeing creative ideas come to life, whether they are his own or his students. |
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Taylor D. Taylor is a teacher, singer, and creator of colorful things! While she spends most of her days teaching English and Choir at Mira Costa High School, she fills her free time with creativity in the form of pottery, calligraphy, and anything involving color coordination. Although this is Taylor’s first gig as a pottery instructor, her 12 years of teaching experience has empowered her to expand her horizons and connect with more learners, which is what brings her to South Bay Artist Studio. She just loves the vibe and community of this place, and is looking forward to sharing it with others. Outside of work, she likes to be with her cats, rewatching a comfort show or reading a good book. :) |
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Vicky L.
BIO Coming Soon! |
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Avi H. Avicaro is a Los Angeles based visual artist utilizing a broad range of mediums to help illuminate the full scope of her artistic mission. Through ceramics, woodworking, photography, and painting, she aims to communicate a unique visual language through color and form to illustrate the way she sees the world around her. Storytelling and the conveyance of concepts, questions, and ideas that Avicaro finds to be integral to her identity are recurring themes in her work. She creates a world of her own by manipulating the human form. Avicaro has adopted many principles from modern and contemporary art disciplines, such as experimentation with mediums to elicit different moods, and believing the viewer to be the final part of the piece. She graduated with her BA in Studio Arts from Loyola Marymount University and resides in Los Angeles, utilizing her artistic skill set in the field and collaborating with other creatives. |
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Cecily R. Cecily is a studio assistant based in Los Angeles, originally from Portland, Oregon. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a BA in Global Studies, concentrating in Environmental Justice and Sustainability. She has always had a passion for creativity and enjoys exploring a wide range of creative practices, including painting, ceramics, jewelry making, and floral arrangements. Her work is deeply inspired by nature and thoughtful, hands-on crafting. She is excited to be working in a studio that allows her to continue learning, experimenting, and contributing to a collaborative, welcoming environment where creativity can thrive. |
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Gabrielle H. Gabrielle is a current student at the University of Southern California pursuing her BFA in Fine Arts with a minor in Business Finance. She has always had a passion for the arts and works primarily in ceramics and video mediums. She loves exploring the history and technical aspects of ceramics, such as formulating glazes and practicing unique forms on the wheel. Working at South Bay Artist Studio allows her to interact with other passionate people and foster a community within the studio! In her free time, she enjoys activities such as road trips, slacklining, finding new music, and swimming. |
