Instructors

Howard has been "in the mud" for 15 years. Never giving a thought to clay, Howard was a photographer and abstract artist. While at the University of Buffalo and running a successful photography business, he wandered in to the UB pottery studio one day, sat down at the wheel, and that was it...hooked! In the years since, Howard has had the opportunity to throw with many Master Potters in various parts of the country. He has incorporated their vast knowledge into his own techniques which allows him to offer a unique approach to teaching pottery. His many real world techniques give even the novice a sense of accomplishment. Not only a skilled potter, Howard is a witty and effervescent entertainer. Anyone who has ever been in one of his classes or seen a demonstration will attest to having great fun peppered with wit and humor.

Susan was born in Michigan, to creative parents and siblings, and started her art career in middle school with a paper mache ducks. She moved on to oil painting after the birth of her children. The last ten years have been centered on sculpture and creating a new method for sculpting 3-dimensional art forms. In 2002, Susan discovered Apoxi Sculpt, a self-hardening polymer clay which she could use with her unique method of creating armatures out of floral wire and the Sunday newspaper. This provided a way for the novice, as well as the professional artist, to demonstrate their creativity more economically and in less time than conventional methods. Susan has authored "Adventures in Sculpting" and teaches classes using this method to sculpt animals, jewelry, flowers, and abstract as well as any other art form her students want to create. She presently teaches at the Punta Gorda and North Port Visual Arts Centers and the Port Charlotte Cultural Center. The rest of her "art time" is devoted to providing private instruction and exhibiting her creations.

Jack is originally from Rhode Island and studied pottery at Roger Williams University, graduating with a BFA. He stayed at the university for 2 years to teach pottery 1 and 2 classes. Producing functional and decorative pottery became Jack's livelihood and teaching pottery his passion. He owned and operated a very lucrative high fire stoneware pottery known as Potpourri Potters in North Kingstown, RI. Before moving to Punta Gorda, Jack managed South County Art Association in Kingston, RI. In addition to managing the pottery studio, Jack taught pottery 1, 2 and advanced pottery classes at that facility.