ABOUT
NW Ceramics
Jeff Edwards & Liz O'Brien
Father & Daughter Co-Owners
~Preferred method of working with clay~
Jeff Liz
Handbuilder & Wheel Thrower
Studio Coordinator
Jamie Childs
She/Her
Handbuilder & Wheel Thrower
Jamie’s background is in graphic design and printmaking, but her foray into clay began in the Spring of 2022 when she learned about NW Ceramics’ monthly beginner workshop. She quickly discovered ceramics and working with her hands in general was a way to get out of her very busy head; an active meditation. She has since launched her own handmade crafts business, (acorn + fern), but still strives to approach all of her projects with a playful attitude. As Jeff always says, it’s just clay!
Instructors & Studio Monitors
Amey Broeker
she/her
Handbuilder
Instructor
Amey loves to work with clay because it is so fun, versatile, grounding, forgiving, and accessible. There is so much to explore in the world of handbuilding, she has (so far) resisted the urge to get on the wheel. Amey’s early adult years were filled with different creative mediums, earning a BFA in photography and printmaking. In addition to loving clay, Amey enjoys all creative arts, birds, walking/hiking, and cooking with her husband. Professionally Amey has been involved in food/nutrition for over 35 years, and is currently the Executive Director of Ashland Community Food Bank.
Callie McQueen
She/her
Handbuilder & Wheel Thrower
Instructor
Callie has been working with clay for the past 20+ years. She bounces back and forth between hand building and throwing on the wheel. She is often fond of hand building because that’s where ideas flow through her hands. She enjoys that her work comes from the question of, “can I do that?”. Either in replicating something in nature or an idea that comes from others. Callie has also found inspiration in teaching the monthly kid’s classes and the joy an hour class can bring to all. Callie is the studio monitor on Thursday nights and loves being part of the community of members.
Jules Byrne
She/Her
Handbuilder & Wheel Thrower
Studio Monitor
Jules began working with clay in high school and continued taking ceramics classes at her community college, focusing on handbuilding. After a few years away, she rediscovered her love of clay through our Six Week Pottery Wheel Course. She loves the structure, pace, and meditative nature of wheel throwing, and is constantly inspired by how something beautiful can emerge from a messy process. Ceramics has taught her patience, detachment, and joy in growth—there’s always something to learn, and always another chance to try again. She treasures the genuine, encouraging community at the studio. Outside of the studio, you’ll find her running, snowboarding, crocheting, or pouring wine at DANCIN.
Leanna Rice
She/Her
Wheel Thrower
Instructor
Leanna has been working as a wheel thrower since college and has been a member at NW Ceramics Studio since 2020. She is an instructor for the One Time Wheel Class.
She loves ceramics for so many reasons, especially all the lessons learned through working with clay. Her time at the studio has helped her find solace in this beautiful, messy life she gets to live by starting with a bumpy chunk of clay, rolling up her sleeves, and getting messy. With time, patience, and energy, that clay is transformed into a work of art. Leanna finds there to be a connection between throwing pottery on the wheel and the delicate balance of life. Engaging in this craft becomes a meditative practice for her.
One of Leanna’s favorite things about throwing is how it reminds her to stay present in the moment. “It’s a space where my mind is centered only around the art I am creating. As the clay begins to take shape on the wheel, it becomes a pathway to mindfulness and grounding. I hope everyone is able to discover that comfort and peace created here at the studio.
Megan Vandever
She/her
Handbuilder & Wheel Thrower
Studio Monitor / Instructor
Megan Vandever has been an artist and maker for as long as she can remember. She studied illustration at School of Visual Arts in New York and printmaking at Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland. But clay was always calling! During the pandemic, she sculpted at home using air dry clay and was finally able to take a class at Northwest Ceramics in 2021, where she has been ever since! Inspired by nature, mythology and folklore, she focuses primarily on hand building and enjoys bringing sculptural and illustrative elements to her pieces. She is the studio monitor on Wednesdays and teaches hand building and sgrafitto workshops. When not at the studio she can be found in bed reading or hanging out with her daughter, who also loves to play with clay.
Nicole Knutson
She/Her
Handbuilder & Wheel Thrower
Studio Monitor
Nicole thinks getting to make functional art with her hands is so exciting! She has admired wheel thrown & hand built ceramics for as long as she can remember. She became a member of NW Ceramics in Fall 2023 after she started learning wheel throwing basics in NW’s Six Week Pottery Wheel Class.
Besides finding inspiration from the talented ceramicists around her, she is also moved by the ocean and experimental art. She loves how expansive clay can be; anyone can make something they’re proud of and there’s always something new to learn. When she’s not at the studio, you can find her hiking, filming, or catching live music.
Nicole thinks it is so cool to come up with an idea from within and watch it come to fruition through clay. She is thrilled to have found a wonderful pottery studio community to be part of. Nicole is the studio monitor Tuesday nights and is happy to be of service to members and the studio.
Make more art!
Rabecca Carrick
She/heR
Handbuilder & Wheel Thrower
ASL Interpreter
Outside the studio, Rabecca is a mother of four, sign language interpreter, and a beekeeper who loves spending time with her hives. She also enjoys sewing and creating with her hands in many forms.
As a CODA, with American Sign Language as her first language, Rabecca brings a deep appreciation for communication and connection into her art and everyday life.