MEET OUR CREATIVE
INSTRUCTORS & STAFF
HERE AT SBAS
MEET OUR CREATIVE
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TALENTED TEAM!
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. Art Instagram Account & Portfolio: @by.kfs (🔗: https://www.instagram.com/by.kfs) |
|
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. Primary Fields of Instruction: Ceramics & Pottery, Watercolor, Drawing, Sketching My work can be seen here: http://www.annpickard.com. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Kiera I.
Hi, my name is Kiera! Originally from the South Bay, I am a multidisciplinary artist with experience across acrylic and watercolor painting, drawing and sketching, figure drawing, hand-painted banners, murals, and calligraphy. I also create custom artwork and hand-lettered pieces for weddings and special events. My love of art began at a young age and continued throughout college, where I secondarily studied Fine Arts along with my main science degrees. I love working across different mediums and scales—from detailed drawings and watercolor pieces to large-scale murals, wedding calligraphy and customized event banners. As an instructor, I love creating a fun, encouraging environment where artists of all experience levels can tap into their creativity, try something new and leave with something they're proud to have created. Primary Fields of Instruction: Acrylic Paints, Watercolor, Drawing, Sketching, Pen & Ink, Beaded Jewelry You can explore my creative portfolio via my art instagram account: @kdogsdoods (🔗: https://www.instagram.com/kdogsdoods) |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
Emily T.
Hi, I’m Emily! I’m a mixed-media artist from Southern California. I am currently a student at Loyola Marymount University, majoring in psychology with a minor in studio arts. I have experience in painting, drawing, ceramics, and various glass mediums. I also have extensive experience teaching art to people of all ages and abilities. |
|
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. :) |
|
Vicky L. BIO Coming Soon! |
|
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. |
|
Cecily R. Assistant Studio Manager 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. |
