Susan Scarola - Board Chair / Treasurer
Co-Founder & Charter Member
Susan grew up on Long Island in those idealistic 1950’s, one of six children. After brief stints as a kindergarten teacher, human resources professional and stay-at-home Mom, she obtained her MBA at NYU. Susan joined KPMG and earned her CPA, then joined DCH Auto Group, a small New York City family owned business. After 30 years, she retired as Vice Chairman of DCH which had grown to be one of the retail auto industry’s largest companies encompassing 40+ subsidiaries in multiple states.
Susan’s work fueled her genetic passion to travel and you may have seen her wandering a food market or seeking pottery souvenirs. She does still think of herself as a New Yorker, and her only child, Jenna, lives in southern California, but her mother and other family are here, so Florida became home.
Restless and wanting to find community here, Susan began to play in clay in 2016 with Ginny Piech Street as her first instructor. Further encouragement from her neighbor Katie Santomartino led her to classes with Maria Sparsis. She never dreamed that path would lead her to Indian River Clay but here she is, a novice encouraging the right side of her brain amongst new friends. Susan hopes that the welcoming atmosphere at Indian River Clay will open others to this joy.
Susan grew up on Long Island in those idealistic 1950’s, one of six children. After brief stints as a kindergarten teacher, human resources professional and stay-at-home Mom, she obtained her MBA at NYU. Susan joined KPMG and earned her CPA, then joined DCH Auto Group, a small New York City family owned business. After 30 years, she retired as Vice Chairman of DCH which had grown to be one of the retail auto industry’s largest companies encompassing 40+ subsidiaries in multiple states.
Susan’s work fueled her genetic passion to travel and you may have seen her wandering a food market or seeking pottery souvenirs. She does still think of herself as a New Yorker, and her only child, Jenna, lives in southern California, but her mother and other family are here, so Florida became home.
Restless and wanting to find community here, Susan began to play in clay in 2016 with Ginny Piech Street as her first instructor. Further encouragement from her neighbor Katie Santomartino led her to classes with Maria Sparsis. She never dreamed that path would lead her to Indian River Clay but here she is, a novice encouraging the right side of her brain amongst new friends. Susan hopes that the welcoming atmosphere at Indian River Clay will open others to this joy.
Glenda Taylor - Vice Chair
After receiving her BFA in Ceramics at University of Florida, Glenda Taylor began her thirty year journey into clay. She is a fourth generation Floridian, and lives full time in Vero Beach. Glenda is a founding member of Tiger Lily Studio and Gallery and has been featured on the cover of the country’s most prestigious ceramics magazine, Ceramics Monthly. She has also received recognition in Southern Living Magazine. Glenda has exhibited in over thirty group shows, and her work is included in many distinguished collections, including the White House. She has taught ceramics at the Vero Beach Museum of Art and has been an active supporter of the pottery community. She is well known and a greatly respected member of our local community.
Cheryl Krivda - Secretary
Member Artist
Cheryl moved to Vero Beach two years ago after living and working in the Philadelphia area, where she
raised her children. As a journalist, technical writer, and freelance marketing writer for high-tech
companies around the world, she has spent her career making a living with words. But she’s always
loved the creative outlet – and relaxation – of working with clay. (Much cheaper than therapy!) Cheryl
was a member of two small studios in Pennsylvania for about 20 years, studying with local artists,
attending occasional workshops, and participating in a local potters’ group. She looks forward to helping
the Indian River Clay community grow and supporting our members and students in their own creative
journeys.
Cheryl moved to Vero Beach two years ago after living and working in the Philadelphia area, where she
raised her children. As a journalist, technical writer, and freelance marketing writer for high-tech
companies around the world, she has spent her career making a living with words. But she’s always
loved the creative outlet – and relaxation – of working with clay. (Much cheaper than therapy!) Cheryl
was a member of two small studios in Pennsylvania for about 20 years, studying with local artists,
attending occasional workshops, and participating in a local potters’ group. She looks forward to helping
the Indian River Clay community grow and supporting our members and students in their own creative
journeys.
Maria Sparsis
Founder & Charter Member
Indian River Clay Co-Founder, Board Chair and Resident Artist, Maria Sparsis was born on the island of Cyprus to a Cypriot father and a British mother, Maria has also lived and worked in Wales, Scotland, New England and, for the last 18 years, Florida. A Marine Biologist by training and a scientist by inclination, Maria has a deep commitment to nature in all its forms. She is part owner of Tea and Chi, a premium loose-leaf tea company in downtown Vero Beach, a resident artist and former owner at Flametree Gallery and serves as an adjunct biology professor at Indian River State College. Maria has studied ceramics with Sean Clinton, Nancy Blair, Glenda Taylor, Charlie Riggs, Deborah Adornato, Walford Campbell and Nan Jacobson. She provides many essentials to the IRC Board from engineering tasks to marketing to one of IRC’s most frequent instructors, Maria has made the success of IRC her first and foremost passion and this drive comes through in all she does.
Indian River Clay Co-Founder, Board Chair and Resident Artist, Maria Sparsis was born on the island of Cyprus to a Cypriot father and a British mother, Maria has also lived and worked in Wales, Scotland, New England and, for the last 18 years, Florida. A Marine Biologist by training and a scientist by inclination, Maria has a deep commitment to nature in all its forms. She is part owner of Tea and Chi, a premium loose-leaf tea company in downtown Vero Beach, a resident artist and former owner at Flametree Gallery and serves as an adjunct biology professor at Indian River State College. Maria has studied ceramics with Sean Clinton, Nancy Blair, Glenda Taylor, Charlie Riggs, Deborah Adornato, Walford Campbell and Nan Jacobson. She provides many essentials to the IRC Board from engineering tasks to marketing to one of IRC’s most frequent instructors, Maria has made the success of IRC her first and foremost passion and this drive comes through in all she does.
Joan Cortright
Co-Founder
Joan Cortright has worked in art and ceramics in particular, for over 30 years. In 1996 she rented a studio at the Ceramic League of Miami and during her 15 years there she served on the Board of Directors, was employed as the school director, and taught many years of classes and summer camp. After moving to Vero Beach in 2012 she taught classes for several years at the Vero Beach Museum of Art and out of her own studio.
Joan Cortright has worked in art and ceramics in particular, for over 30 years. In 1996 she rented a studio at the Ceramic League of Miami and during her 15 years there she served on the Board of Directors, was employed as the school director, and taught many years of classes and summer camp. After moving to Vero Beach in 2012 she taught classes for several years at the Vero Beach Museum of Art and out of her own studio.
Mallory Wixson-OMalley
Member Artist
Jeff Carpenter
Member Artist
Jeff moved to Vero Beach from Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2012. "The perfect small town in the sun." His interest in throwing on the wheel began decades ago in 9th grade art class in Dayton, Ohio. Now, after taking classes from Indian River Clay's best potters since April of 2022, he reports progress has been great. His working background as a P.G.A. golf professional includes owner/operator of two consulting firms for golf club development, state-of-the-art indoor teaching facilities and golf instruction. His involvement in Indian River Clay is simple, "Being part of a great team with so many great artists is a real privilege"
Jeff moved to Vero Beach from Colorado Springs, Colorado in 2012. "The perfect small town in the sun." His interest in throwing on the wheel began decades ago in 9th grade art class in Dayton, Ohio. Now, after taking classes from Indian River Clay's best potters since April of 2022, he reports progress has been great. His working background as a P.G.A. golf professional includes owner/operator of two consulting firms for golf club development, state-of-the-art indoor teaching facilities and golf instruction. His involvement in Indian River Clay is simple, "Being part of a great team with so many great artists is a real privilege"
IRC is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. |
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