NANCY BLAIR

Nancy Blair, MFA is both an artist and author. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University in New York and a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Studies from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts in New Jersey. Her art work is in the collection of Sir Elton John, The Tacoma Museum of Glass, Rutgers University Mabel Douglass Library as well as numerous collections both nationally and internationally. She most recently completed a one-year appointment in Taiyuan, China as the Executive Artistic Director & Curator of YZ Creative Art Center where she oversaw the development of the largest glass center in Asia working with architects, engineers and vendors to design, equip and supply a multi-disciplinary art program that also included ceramics, wood, metal and mixed media studios. Her dream is to develop a ceramic and glass creative art center on the Space Coast.

ZOEY BRIDGES

Zoey’s had the pleasure being raised in the Treasure Coast. Long, warm summers and endless days on the water or in the woods is what she lives for. She gains not only inspiration, but patience spending time scouting, conserving, and enjoying the great outdoors. Fauna, landscapes, and various Florida native creatures often are muses in Zoey’s creative work. 
In a home where creativity was encouraged, imagining was instilled young. Zoey currently enjoys to work with acrylic mediums in her free time, as well as experiment with the wonders of clay. In her previous position as Summer Camp Coordinator, Acrylic on Canvas, and Basics to Clay Instructor at Brushing On Bisque Pottery and Art Studio, she had the pleasure of teaching with children and adults of all capabilities. Now, working as an independent artist, she strives to spread the message that everyone can be innovative. The only restraint we bear is thought, and a thought can always be changed.

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AMY GRABELSKY

AMY MORSE

Amy Morse returned to clay after 30 or 40 years, remembering it is the most forgiving of mediums -- and believing it to be most responsive to her need to create in the midst of troubled times. She has conviction that days spent “making” are days well-spent and lift our spirit. 
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After spending many years as an educator and author focused primarily on cultivating mathematical ideas, in 2010 Amy shifted her focus and training to clinical social work and advocacy for unbiased and affordable access to mental health care. 

Now retired and splitting time between Vero Beach and Little Rhubarb Farm in Massachusetts Amy thinks clay is good for her – for you – and for all of us. She encourages self-expression as a hedge against internalizing the difficulties of the world we live in – and as a way to bring forward the good energy we each have to offer. She makes bowls, cups, jars - some heavy, a few just right - and has recently ventured into sculpture and hand-building with a healthy appetite for new ideas, techniques, and methods of firing.

RICHARD RAMIREZ

After spending 36 years as a secondary art instructor in the California Public School System I retired to Sebastian, Florida. Being an art instructor, I was given the opportunity to learn and teach a wide variety of the art disciplines, from traditional drawing, painting, crafts to ceramics. I love it all. Now with retirement, I get to do all those things that I taught my students to do at my own pace. It reminds me of the old saying, “Jack of all trades, the master of none”

MARIA SPARSIS

Born on the island of Cyprus to a Cypriot father and a British mother, Maria Sparsis has also lived and worked in Wales, Scotland, New England and, for the last 15 years, Florida. a Marine Biologist by training and a scientist by inclination, Maria is a certified diver and has a deep commitment to, and love of, nature in all its forms.

Although Maria still maintains her ties with the world of science and biology, she is currently part owner of "Tea and Chi", a premium loose-leaf tea company. Her love of tea and her collection of teapots was what initially bought her to the world of ceramics.

Much of Maria's artwork is inspired y both her love and knowledge of nature and her sense of humor and fondness for the absurd which she has inherited from her father. Many of her ceramic pieces are functional in nature and often tea related. Maria has studied ceramics with Sean Clinton, Nancy Blair, Glenda Tailor and Charlie Riggs, Nan Jacobson, Walford Campbell, Fong Choo, Eric Olsen and Ying Zhou.

Maria's wok has been exhibited at The Armory, The Sparta Teapot Museum, The Fish House Art House and the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Her work can be seen at Flametree Clay Art Gallery in Vero Beach and Fitch and Fellows Gallery in Oxfordshire. She currently teaches pottery classes at Indian River Clay, Inc.

GINNY PIECH STREET

Ginny grew up in Indiana, spent some time in Kentucky, the Low Country of South Carolina and Key West before sailing to Fort Pierce and calling the Treasure Coast her home. She had the pleasure of being a co-creator of Art Mundo, A Center Of Creative Expression in downtown Fort Pierce, where she later partnered with 4 other artists to open Peacock Clay Collaborative, a working clay studio, also in downtown Fort Pierce. When Peacock Clay closed due to an unrelated fire in the building, she had the opportunity to continue her clay work as co-founder and studio manager for Indian River Clay in Vero Beach. 

Ginny says "I’m appreciative of the interest and support that the residents of the Treasure Coast have for the arts. With a BFA in printmaking, I am way out of my league with clay, but playing in the mud is too much fun. I’ve been working in clay for about 6 years and have found that it is easy to carry one’s imagery and style from medium to medium. The tactile nature of clay immediately engages my senses and involves me creatively. One can’t be passive when ones hands are deep in mud!"

She also enjoy collaboration as it nurtures a strong creative environment and builds lasting alliances in the art community. She's been hooked on the creative process for as long as she can remember, enjoying the surprise of where it takes her. Ginny's desire is to share this joy.

​ginnypiechstreet@gmail.com
ginnypiechstreet.com
on Instagram and Facebook as @tritongal53