Scott Proctor (he/him)
Scott Proctor is an artist living and working in Austin, TX. Scott has is BFA in Ceramics from Western Michigan University and his MFA in Ceramics from the University of Texas at Austin. Scott has shown his work extensively in Texas and throughout the US. Scott is one of the co-founders of MASS contemporary art gallery here in East Austin. Scott is 1/2 of Nom Ceramics along with his wife Rebeca Proctor. Scott Is the founder of East Side Pot Shop and teaches topic specific classes and workshops on and off throughout the year.
Grace Mendenhall (she/her)
Grace Mendenhall is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus in ceramics. Her pinch-formed, functionally-sculptural work is an exploration of memory, grief, & tactile connection across time.
Born and raised in Austin, TX, Grace began her clay career as woodfire studio assistant at 28A Clay in the Catskill Mountains. She then returned to Austin, where she now teaches and fires kilns at East Side Pot Shop and Feats of Clay Pottery. In addition, Grace co-leads the community woodfire program at Eye of the Dog Art Center in San Marcos. Grace has built several gas, soda, and wood-fired kilns across Texas in hopes of increasing the accessibility and sustainability of atmospheric firing for the potters in her community.
Rebeca Proctor (she/her)
Rebeca Proctor is a Houston born artist living and working in Austin, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 2018. While in school, she studied sculpture using a variety of materials and processes, from casting bronze to digital fabrication. She received scholarships from UT to attend workshops at different arts organizations around the country. Rebeca spent the summer after graduation at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Colorado, where she was the 3D Specialist intern. There, she assisted and worked with established artists from all around the world, teaching workshops on a variety of sculptural methods. She now primarily creates hand-built vessels and sculptural objects with intricately glazed surfaces. Rebeca views hand building with clay as a valuable tool to increase self-awareness, mindfulness, and creative problem solving. Rebeca is the co-founder of East Side Pot Shop and teaches hand building courses off and on throughout the year.
Frank Zhu (he/him)
Frank Zhu, has been working with clay in Austin, Texas, for over 14 years, cultivating a deep connection to the material and its possibilities. As both a dedicated ceramic artist and an educator, he balances his personal studio practice with a passion for sharing the art of ceramics with others. His work explores the intersection of functionality and sculptural expression, using wheel-thrown forms as a foundation for innovative alterations, textures, and additions. Frank’s pieces challenge traditional notions of vessel-making, inviting viewers to engage with ceramics as both art and object.
In addition to his artistic practice, he is committed to fostering creativity and skill in others through teaching. Frank believes in the transformative power of clay as a medium for self-expression and discovery, and he strives to inspire his students to push boundaries while honoring the rich history of ceramics. Frank’s work reflects his dedication to craftsmanship, experimentation, and the endless potential of clay as a medium for storytelling and connection.
Ryan McKerley (he/him)
Ryan McKerley has been making pottery in East Austin since the last century. He was featured on the cover of Ceramics Monthly magazine in March 2006. Ryan loves to teach people of all ages, currently at the Dougherty Arts Center, Dobie middle school, and now at E.S.P.S. Ryan is the president of Art of the Pot Studio Tour LLC and he was one of the original 20 studios on the first year of the East Austin Studio Tour. His well-known studio on Cesar Chavez just sold for $1 million so he is now currently building a studio at his home in deeper East Austin (secret location/bat cave). He really is one of the best pottery teacher ever..... ever:)
Tina Williams (she/her)
Texas native, Tina Williams is a ceramic artist and production potter focused on creating functional home designs. She sells her work in boutiques and has been featured at Texas Clayfest. Recently she expanded her technique and perspectives after being awarded a ceramic residency in Japan this January.
Tina teaches wheel classes at East Side Pot Shop and under the moniker Brave Ceramics which helps curate public spaces for teaching pottery with a goal that students leave class encouraged in their innate artistic abilities so they can practice creative bravery in other areas of their work and life.