About Us
Meet Our Instructors
Welcome to The Pottery Atascadero, a studio founded and owned by Alecia Teague.
Alecia holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Edinburgh College of Art in Scotland, where she studied drawing and painting. Her love for pottery began in 2016, when she and her family moved back to the UK - in Sheffield, England. Here she took a year long foundation pottery course and continued her education until she moved back to California in 2019. Upon her return, she opened a pottery studio in her house and taught various courses around town, including Studios on the Park in Paso Robles.
Alecia is not only an accomplished artist but also a devoted wife and mom of three. She understands the importance of creating a space where families can come together to learn, have fun, and create lasting memories. Alecia holds a teaching credential and has previous teaching experience at Cuesta College, where she shared her love for pottery with students of all ages.
Alecia's passion for pottery extends beyond the studio, and she takes pride in being a part of the local community. She believes that pottery can be a powerful tool to bring people together, and she is dedicated to using her skills to give back to the community.
At The Pottery, you will find a welcoming and inclusive environment where you can explore your creativity, learn new skills, and connect with others. Whether you are a seasoned potter or a beginner, Alecia and her team are here to guide you on your pottery journey.
Thank you for choosing The Pottery, and we look forward to welcoming you soon!
Alecia Teague - Founder
Tawnee Houle, studio manager, is a credentialed teacher with a BA in Art Ed from CSUF, and a Master’s from UCI. I live in Los Osos, where I am inspired by the quiet beauty, colors, and textures of nature. I enjoy creating functional pottery that is both visually appealing and practical. Wheel-throwing is my primary passion, but I also incorporate hand-built aspects into my work. Outside of the studio, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and cooking; all of which contribute in some way to the art that I make.
Looking forward to supporting fellow artists and future artists!
Lyza Lopez is a dedicated studio tech at The Pottery, specialized in handbuilding classes that spark creativity and encourage artistic exploration. With ten years of clay and glaze practice, they enjoy helping students better their skills and discover their creative potential. When they're not in the studio, they enjoy classic storytelling, mythology, and animation.
Constance Sellers is a talented visual artist with over seven years of K-12 teaching experience. She also holds a Master’s in Art Education. Her calm energy and deep love for teaching are already a beautiful fit for our Pottery community. She’s also already one of our members at the Atascadero studio.
Amanda is a pottery sorceress who spends most of her time making magic in a private studio at the back of the Atascadero Pottery. But every now and then, she takes a break to share her powers of slip casting and mold making with the rest of us. Check out her Instagram store, Modern Science Project—her work is amazing! She’s also a super fun, high-energy, talented, and incredibly smart teacher (and a dear friend of the pottery).
Emma grew up in Templeton and was actually the one who turned our studio manager Cassidy on to ceramics when they first became friends. Emma is a local winemaker, but teaches intro to wheel classes usually one or two nights a week. She’s great at helping people “catch the pottery bug.”
Gwynevere "Gwynnie" LaChance is a renaissance woman living in Cambria with her man Ritchie and two groovy cats. Former health food store owner, jewelry designer with a national line, cosmetologist, and community college English teacher, she’s passionate about art, paper and pottery, creating daily. Clay has been her constant companion throughout life's journey as both a joyful companion and a great therapist.
Chelsey Walker is a local garden consultant specializing in growing food and flowers and spreading joy through her colorful, whimsical creations. Her love of clay began in high school and rivals her love of plants. Both fulfill her creative spirit and keep her hands dirty. She is a credentialed teacher and lifelong learner who is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others.
Mackenzie spent her summers as a kid certifying boy scouts for their clay badge. She has gone on to teach kids classes, help a community studio in Ashland Oregon open its door, and has taught adults at the beginning and intermediate levels. She also was the driving force behind our retail shop in Atascadero opening. Dusty the cat really likes her too.
Kiara Bolger is a ceramic artist, educator, and senior B.F.A. Studio Art student at Cal Poly. She began working with clay at 14 and has spent the last three years teaching ceramics to students of all ages, specializing in wheel throwing and glazing. She is also a two time recipient of the SLOCOE Arts Collaborative Grant, where she teaches hands on ceramics workshops for local schools. Teaching is Kiara's greatest passion, and she hopes to pursue an M.F.A. in ceramics and teach at the college level. Whether you're brand new to clay or looking to strengthen your skills, she's excited to share her passion for ceramics and help you enjoy the creative process.