Eileen LaMore took the Arts Council’s Ceramics 1 class in June 2017. Taking a Ceramics class had been on her bucket list for years. “The moment I put my first chunk of clay on the wheel, I felt I was home!” Since that first class, ceramics has become a large part of Eileen’s life and her creative outlet. The studio became her second home. “The HAAC Potters' community is kind, warm, and welcoming to all. As Studio Manager, I feel blessed every day to give back in a small way to this wonderful community—and, best of all, I can support the Arts Council however I can.”

Gemma Fletcher took the ceramics 1 class in September 2020 and has been developing her skills ever since. She loves the camaraderie found in the ceramic studio, how everyone is eager to help one another to overcome obstacles to improvement.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Gemma spent 10 years working as an Art and Textiles teacher in a busy high school before moving to the U.S with her husband and 2 boys. She works as a visual artist as well as volunteering as a docent at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. She has a Masters and Bachelors degree in Fine Art as well as a postgraduate certificate in Art Education.

In her spare time Gemma loves to swim in Lake Michigan and take long walks with her dog Florence.

Mary Wolter is an experienced Ceramic Instructor living and working in Holland Michigan. Her teaching reflects her love of learning and passing knowledge to her students with a sensitivity to diverse learning styles. She studied at the Kansas City Art Institute and received her BFA from the University of Northern Iowa. Her work combines handbuilt and wheel thrown processes to create pieces fired in a wood kiln to be used in a functional way to enhance the everyday things we do in our homes.

"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

Albert Einstein

Jesse VanderBand graduated from Central Michigan University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in K-12 Art Education. Jesse has taught ceramics and graphic design in Wisconsin and Michigan, and is currently an art educator at Hudsonville High School. Jesse considers himself a life-long learner, and he enjoys helping his students communicate their ideas through the ceramic arts. In his own work, Jesse primarily creates functional, wheel-thrown ceramics that are designed to enhance daily rituals and encourage conversations between people. Jesse also enjoys a good cup of coffee, hunting, fishing, and camping with his wife and kids.

John Diaz has enjoyed a life-long involvement in both visual and music arts. A drummer since birth (and still playing), he developed a passion for ceramics, sculpture, and graphic design in his teens. He earned a BFA in ceramics from the University of New Mexico and an MFA in sculpture from the University of Illinois at Chicago. While still creating and teaching ceramics, he built a 40-year career in graphic design and marketing as an art and creative director in Chicago.

John and his wife Sharon, who retired after a long career in nonprofit management, moved to Holland. With 3 grown children—Orlando, Ivan, and Maia—living coast to coast, they enjoy being active in this community. John likes to share his creative aesthetic, teaching skills, and experience in this wonderful space and building a rewarding relationship with lovers of clay, the Arts Council, and its extraordinary staff.

Carolyn Stich is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, where she studied commercial art and graphic design at Meremac Community College before continuing her education at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. In 1993, she and her husband moved to Holland, Michigan, where she has become a beloved part of the local arts community. Carolyn works from her art studio and retail shop, Carolyn Stich Studio, located in downtown Holland.

A visual artist, Carolyn has developed a distinctive and vibrant style that combines pen and ink with gouache paint. Her work reflects her joyful approach to life and continues to delight art enthusiasts in Holland and beyond.

Barbara Carlson lives with her family in Spring Lake. She is a life-long artist who works primarily out of the Armory Art Center in Grand Haven. Barbara is well-known in the community as a teacher of yoga and art classes. She has earned many awards and honors in area art shows. She is a member of Lakeshore Visual Arts Collective and Lakeland Artists. Barbara is also a 2 time breast cancer survivor.

“I strive to make all of my classes fun and educational. I believe that art and the act of creating is therapeutic for everyone. Personally, my art has always been a very important part of navigating life’s challenges. Whether I reach one person in a class - or 10 - I feel blessed.”

Jane Ewing earned a bachelor degree from Western Michigan University and master degree from Wright State University in Ohio. Her work has been published in Letter Arts Review, recognized by the Smithsonian Institution, and accepted into juried exhibitions at the Chicago Newberry Library, the Dennos Art Gallery in Michigan, the Muskegon (Michigan) Museum of Art, the Holland (Michigan) Area Arts Council, and others nationwide. Overseas her work has been exhibited in Singapore, Wales, and Belgium. She received instruction in brush lettering in China, where she taught Western calligraphy to Chinese university students, and she teaches locally. Her art emerges from Zen aesthetic ideals. Ewing’s book my calligraphy my response was published in 2016.

Larry Blovits As a college professor for 26 years, Larry taught Basic Drawing, Anatomy and Life Drawing and all of the painting mediums. A consistent award winner in national and regional shows since 1964, he is a featured artists in a number of books and magazines. He has authored two books: Pastel for the Serious Beginner (Watson-Guptill, 1996), and No Experience Required: Sketching and Drawing (North Light, 2004). Elected to signature status in many national art organizations including the Salmagundi Club in NYC, the American Portrait Society, and the Master Pastelist in 1996. A professional portrait artist, his portrait commissions include presidents of colleges, corporations, and universities; noted professionals in the medical and legal professions as well as many private individuals. The American Portrait Society acknowledged Larry as "a portrait artist of exceptional quality." You can see more information about Larry on his website www.larryblovits.com/

Sarah Irvin graduated from the University of Michigan in 2015 with degrees in Earth Science and Environmental Studies. In 2016, Sarah and her husband Sam moved to Holland, where she works as a Naturalist at DeGraaf Nature Center and the Outdoor Discovery Center. She has taken Mary Wolter’s ceramics classes at the Holland Area Arts Council since 2017 and enjoys both hand-building and wheel-throwing modern, functional pieces. In her free time Sarah likes to travel with her husband, work on home renovation projects, and spend time outdoors. ​

Sean Sterzer Freelance graphic designer and illustrator, Sean Sterzer has been drawing for a very long time, and studied with a myriad of teachers. She believes drawing is not only fun, it’s the keystone most fine arts.

Wade Gugino has been drawing cartoons since he was five. Cartoons make the world happy. Cartoons make him happy. He loves sharing this simple path to happiness with others. You can see more information about Wade on the website www.GooGenius.com

Nancy Homrich has been an artist at heart since she was very young. She took many art classes in High School, including Painting, Screen Printing, Lithography and Ceramics. After college, going to work, and raising a family, Nancy took her first Ceramics class in years in 2016 at HAAC. She fell right back in love with Clay. She is retired from CAD Design now, and has a home studio and business called Nancy K Designs, where she works with multiple kinds of media. She uses many types of Clay, Glazes and Plaster, and Paint. Nancy loves the process of creating and likes to learn new techniques; working with Plaster to make molds for Clay is one of her favorites.

Maranda Shear's work spans a variety of subjects and mediums, all tied to organic shapes and patterns with a deep connection to nature and humanity. Her largest body of work features hand-drawn designs on upcycled clothing, inspired by cultural textile patterns and natural elements, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind. She also creates jewelry, ceramics, renderings, prints, paintings, and mixed media art. As Candle-ology master, she hand-mixes products like candles, lotions, and soaps in her Michigan studio, crafting custom scents for any occasion.

Maranda teaches "Art as a Lifestyle" classes, guiding kids in exploring new mediums and cultures, teens and adults in drawing fundamentals, and everyone in stress-free canvas classes with step-by-step instructions.

Anya is an artist from west Michigan! She fell in love with art because it’s a way to express and share your life experiences. She focuses on Western styles but loves pretty much all of it. Anya loves teaching and helping people feel comfortable with being creative. You can follow her art life on Instagram or Facebook! @in_anyas_studio

Michael Burmeister holds an MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and a BAA in Fine Arts with a major in Photography and minor in Art History from Central Michigan University. Since 2015, Michael has been the Owner and Director of Button Gallery in Douglas, MI. Previously as Adjunct Professor and Exhibition Preparator, Michael taught numerous Fine Art courses and worked on highly exclaimed exhibitions in both Pennsylvania and Illinois. His work has been exhibited regionally and nationally at colleges and universities, galleries and museums. Michael resides in Fennville, MI with his wife and two daughters.

Andrea grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, where her passion for the visual arts and creating 3-dimensional objects began while sitting beside her grandfather in his wood shop. She went on to study at Kansas State University, where she received her Master’s degree in Interior Architecture and Product Design.

Andrea now works full-time as a Color, Material, and Finish Senior Designer in the contract furniture industry. She took her first ceramics class at HAAC in 2013, where she fell in love with the medium. She has continued taking ceramics classes throughout the years and being an open studio member. In her free time, she continues to evolve as a creator of 3-dimensional works, enjoys renovating her 1900s home, and being outside with her husband and two dogs, Kobe and Juniper.

Elizabeth Kattie Page is a multidisciplinary Michigan-based artist who has worked in a variety of mediums over the course of her artistic career. Her preferred medium is watercolor but she enjoys dabbling in oil, acrylic, and digital art. Elizabeth graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) in Grand Rapids in 2018 with a B.F.A in painting. Then returned to receive an M.F.A in painting during the spring of 2022. If she isn't at the beach, she is painting flowers and landscapes in her home studio with her two cats named Hades and Luna.

"My teaching philosophy is that introducing fresh perspectives and bold creative choices can aid in educating artistic techniques and mediums. Students should be encouraged to take creative leaps and make mistakes. It is through those endeavors that we learn the most."