Adult Wheel Throwing Instructor
“My journey through pottery started out as a hobby, and quickly turned into my passion. I have now been working with clay for over 15 years, as an artist and educator.
With a BFA and many years as a graphic designer I have always been inspired by art. My work is mostly wheelthrown but, I occasionally hand build pieces as well. 
I have a deep appreciation for primitive firings - horsehair - naked rake and pit fire. I love the organic surfaces and the unknown is always a wonderful surprise.
Over the years I have taught in several studios on Long Island. Some of my work has been shown in various galleries on the Island, as well as online.
In classes, I emphasizes both technical skills and creative expression, encouraging students to develop their own style in ceramics. 

Teaching pottery is exciting to me. I love when students learn to take a ball of clay and create a beautiful piece.”

Adult Wheel Instructor
Jeff Gomez is an interdisciplinary artist that is currently focusing on abstract ceramic sculpture. He has been working in Ceramics for the past 10 years mainly utilizing hand building and the wheel to create his current sculptural work. He received his BFA in Studio Art from LIU Post in 2019. Jeff's background is wheel heavy but nothing is outside of his capabilities in the ceramic medium.

Adult Wheel Throwing Instructor
Jenn Sommer is a working ceramic artist and graphic designer from Oakdale, NY. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2014 with a with a dual concentration in ceramics and graphic design. Jenn has been teaching both beginner and advanced wheel throwing at multiple studios on Long Island for over 10 years, and is very passionate about ceramics. Trained in both hand building and wheel throwing, she is a potter at heart, and enjoys incorporating illustration in her work through the use of underglaze and wax resist. When not playing with clay, Jenn enjoys drawing, gardening, and exploring Long Island.

Adult & Kids Hand building Instructor
Katie is an artist living in Huntington NY. Graduating from Hunter College with a double major in art history and studio art, she has been working with clay for over 10 years. Katie’s love of nature is reflected in her botanical and anatomical sculptures and hand painted pottery.

Teen Wheel Instructor

BA in art education & BFA in studio art from CUNY Queens College

MA in studio art for Art Educators from Columbia Teachers College

“Hello! I am a licensed, full-time art educator currently working with middle school students. I discovered my passion for ceramics in 2019 when I took my first class, and since then, I have dedicated myself to developing my skills in both wheel throwing and hand building techniques.

My teaching philosophy emphasizes creating a supportive environment where students feel safe to experiment and explore their artistic voices.”

Kids and Teen Program Coordinator + Instructor
“I am an artist and educator from Long Island, NY. I earned my BS from SUNY New Paltz in Art Education with a concentration in ceramics in 2020, and completed a Post Baccalaureate in ceramics in 2022. In 2025, I received my MFA in Ceramics from Penn State University. I have experience teaching art across  K-12 school districts as well as the university level. 

My work explores themes of my Japanese American identity, using elements of cuteness and whimsy to tell stories that spark conversation and foster community.”

Adult Hand building Instructor
Mandy’s artistic perspective has been profoundly enriched by her diverse and global experiences. After being born and raised in England, Mandy embarked on a new chapter of her life, spending over a decade living in Australia. There, she found herself immersed in a vibrant and dynamic artistic community, surrounded by renowned local and international artists who had a deep impact on her creative development.

She pursued her artistic journey earning a BFA in Fine Arts Education from Parsons School of Design and the School of Visual Arts. Both schools provided Mandy with the opportunity to refine her technical skills while also cultivating a deeper understanding of art history, theory, and pedagogy. She continued her education at Long Island University, where she obtained her Master of Fine Arts degree.

Mandy is an experienced educator, passionate about sharing her love of art with students of all ages. She believes in the transformative power of creativity and has dedicated much of her time to teaching in both formal and informal settings. Her work as an educator is rooted in the belief that art should be accessible to everyone. She continuously strives to foster an environment that encourages experimentation, innovation, and personal expression.

Administrative Assistant/Part-time Studio Technician
Brianna McQuade is a ceramicist, who creates sculptures referencing the psychology of anxiety and executive dysfunction. McQuade was an MFA candidate at The State University of New York at New Paltz, where she graduated in 2024.  She was a Strange Clay Shortlist Award Winner through the London Hayward Gallery and has exhibited nationally in venues, including La Luz De Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles, CA. Currently, McQuade is a Professional Assistant at Suffolk County Community College on Long Island, and a studio assistant to ceramicist Roxanne Jackson. McQuade is very excited to work alongside the great team of professionals at Long Island Clay!