The word 'Members' written in white cursive font on a black background.

SJCGA MEMBERS

SJCGA is proud to be a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming community of artists, makers, educators, and art enthusiasts. Our members include emerging and established artists with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, styles, and creative practices.

We believe the ceramic and glass arts are stronger when everyone has a place at the table. We actively promote inclusion, equity, accessibility, and diversity, bringing people together through exhibitions, workshops, festivals, education, collaboration, and creative exchange.

Our community reflects the rich diversity of California’s Central Valley, representing a broad range of voices, experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We believe there is room for everyone in the arts—and that our community is better, stronger, and more creative because of our differences.

FEATURED ARTIST Hannah Witter

We’re absolutely thrilled to feature Hannah Witter as our September Featured Artist! Hannah is one of those special people who makes the SJCGA community better simply by being part of it. She brings creativity, generosity, enthusiasm, and a genuine love of clay to everything she does—and we’re incredibly lucky to have her on our Board of Directors.

Hannah earned her BFA in Ceramics and a minor in Horticulture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After more than a decade in Fresno, she has become a wonderful part of our local arts community. She is a studio member and ceramics instructor at Scarab Creative Arts, where she teaches wheel-throwing to students of all skill levels.

Hannah has a true gift for making people feel welcome. She loves introducing new artists to clay, encouraging students to build confidence, and creating a space where people can learn, experiment, laugh, and simply enjoy making.

Her own work is full of that same joy. Hannah creates functional, wheel-thrown pottery inspired by the natural world, featuring whimsical, hand-painted botanical imagery, native plants, fruits, vegetables, and wildflowers. Her background in horticulture shines through in her organic forms, rich textures, and beautiful nature-inspired colors.

But what we love most about Hannah is the heart she brings to everything she does. She is generous with her knowledge, supportive of fellow artists, passionate about building community, and always ready to jump in and help. She represents so much of what we want SJCGA to be: welcoming, creative, encouraging, and connected.

We’re so proud to have Hannah not only as a talented artist, but as an educator, board member, and champion of our creative community. We love having her as part of SJCGA, and we’re excited to celebrate her this month!

Follow Hannah on Instagram: @hannah.rose_ceramics

August/September 2026

A woman smiling at a display of decorated ceramic cups with floral patterns at a craft fair or shop.

A ceramic vase with an orange speckled glaze decorated with green leaf patterns.

Two ceramic mugs with orange flowers and green leaves painted on them, placed against a plain gray background.

A round ceramic plate with a textured green glaze, decorated with an engraved pattern of stylized, leaf-like shapes outlined in orange.

Close-up of a ceramic cup with mint green glaze and reddish-brown leaf patterns, on a gray background.

A set of cream-colored coffee mugs with speckled texture and floral illustrations featuring yellow, orange, and purple flowers, arranged on matching saucers.

FEATURED ARTIST Michael Mayer

July 2026

If you've ever been to one of our pit firings, chances are you've met Michael Mayer. If not, you're in for a treat.

We're proud to have Michael as part of the SJCGA community. Not only does he create beautiful work, but he's also incredibly generous about sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for atmospheric firing. Every winter, Michael leads one of our community pit firings—a hands-on event that's equal parts science experiment, campfire, and Christmas morning as everyone uncovers their finished pieces. If you've never joined one, keep an eye out this winter. You won't want to miss it.

This month, Michael is curating FIREWORKS, a group exhibition celebrating the excitement and unpredictability of fire-finished ceramics. Smoke, ash, flame, and reduction all leave their mark, creating surfaces that simply can't be duplicated. Every piece tells the story of the firing as much as the artist who made it.

Michael's own work is rooted in the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi—finding beauty in things that are imperfect and authentic. Most of his pieces are wheel-thrown, with earthy textures and surfaces that invite you to slow down and take a closer look. He's constantly experimenting, letting each piece evolve naturally instead of forcing a finish.

As Michael puts it, "I like making work that feels honest. Sometimes a piece sits on the shelf for weeks before it tells me what it wants to be."

Michael first discovered clay at Clovis High School before continuing his studies at Fresno City College and Fresno State. Although he stepped away from ceramics for 24 years while raising a family and building a career, the wheel kept calling him back. Since retiring in 2021, he's returned to the studio full-time, exploring atmospheric firings while continuing to push his work in new directions.

Be sure to check out FIREWORKS this month, and if you've ever been curious about pit firing, watch for Michael's winter community firing. It's one of our favorite traditions, and there's nothing quite like seeing what the fire has in store.

Man in a beige jacket holding a brown mug with the number 42 printed on it, smiling at the camera, seated outdoors under a black umbrella.

A decorative ceramic vase with a marbled pattern of brown, white, and gold, placed on a white pedestal.

Ceramic pottery set including a tall vessel with handle and three small mugs displayed on a gray shelf against a plain background.

A tall brown ceramic vase with black decorative handles and a lid, placed on a white surface against a plain light-colored wall.

An antique cast iron teapot with a woven handle on a white surface.

Close-up of a burnt coffee mug with a sooty interior on a white surface.

Follow Michael on Instagram @michaelmayerclay

FEATURED ARTIST Celebrating Our LGBTQ Members

June 2026

June is Pride Month, and at the San Joaquin Clay & Glass Association, we're celebrating the LGBTQ artists who help make our community such a vibrant, welcoming, and creative place.

One of the things that makes SJCGA special is the incredible mix of people who come together through a shared love of clay, glass, and the arts. Our members come from all walks of life, bringing different experiences, perspectives, and stories that enrich our association and strengthen our community.

For member Rhomie Thompson, art and community go hand in hand.

“The arts have always been a space where people can be themselves. I love being part of a community that celebrates individuality and encourages people to create boldly and share who they are."

Members Bibi Bielat and her wife, Cathy Caracciolo, share a similar sentiment.

"As artists and as a couple, Cathy and I have found a wonderful community in SJCGA. There's something special about being part of a group that welcomes everyone and celebrates creativity in all its forms."

Colorful ceramic bowls with a yin-yang design in a rainbow-colored setting with shadows of palm leaves.

FEATURED ARTIST Stacy Mendoza

May 2026

You can meet featured artist Stacy Mendoza at the May 9 Spring Clay & Glass Festival, where she will be showcasing and selling her colorful, joy filled ceramic work.

Stacy is warm, welcoming, and deeply connected to the creative community. She brings an infectious sense of positivity wherever she goes and has a natural ability to make people feel comfortable and inspired. She was selected as SJCGA’s Featured Artist of the Month not only for her vibrant ceramic work, but for the genuine joy and connection she brings to the people around her.

A ceramic artist working consistently in pottery for the past three years, Stacy built on a creative foundation first formed in college ceramics classes more than two decades ago. Her connection to clay runs even deeper than that. Growing up, her parents’ closest friends were ceramic artists, and she was surrounded by creativity from an early age. One especially meaningful influence was her mother’s best friend, Mary Camin, whose artistic spirit helped shape Stacy’s lasting love for clay.

Working primarily on the pottery wheel, Stacy creates playful yet functional pieces that burst with personality. Her colorful mugs, bowls, drinkware, and vessels balance whimsy with everyday usefulness, transforming ordinary routines into moments of delight. Every piece feels expressive, joyful, and unmistakably her own.

Her work is driven by curiosity, experimentation, and a passion for learning from professional potters. Stacy loves exploring new techniques and thrives in creative spaces where art and community come together. Whether she’s participating in festivals, connecting with fellow artists, or sharing her newest work, she brings enthusiasm, warmth, and encouragement to everyone around her.

At the heart of Stacy’s work is the belief that functional objects can also spark joy. Through color, craftsmanship, and playful design, she reminds us that the objects we use every day can make life feel brighter, more personal, and more connected.

Woman smiling at camera while working on a pottery wheel, with her hands covered in clay.

A ceramic vase with a painted orange flower design contains a bouquet of white flowers and green foliage, placed on a wooden surface.

Colorful ceramic pitcher, mug, and cup with abstract heart and geometric patterns on a teal table in a cozy living room, with a mustard yellow sofa and potted plant in the background.

Decorative ceramic cup with colorful abstract wavy stripes in orange, blue, white, and beige, being held by a person.

Four colorful ceramic mugs with rainbow stripe patterns, stored in a wooden cubby shelf, with two on the top row and two on the bottom row, one bottom right mug has a handle.

Three decorative ceramic mugs with bright, colorful geometric and abstract designs.

Follow her on Instagram @handmade.by.stacy

FEATURED ARTIST Rhomie Thompson

April 2026

If you’ve ever met Rhomie Thompson, you know pretty quickly—this is someone who genuinely loves what he does. And after more than 20 years of working in clay and glass, that enthusiasm hasn’t dimmed one bit. If anything, it’s gotten bigger, bolder, and a little more mischievous (in the best way).

A ceramic sculptor, painter, and designer, Rhomie creates work that feels alive. His pieces are layered with texture, movement, and vibrant color, often pulling you in with a sense of curiosity—like there’s a story just beneath the surface. There’s a playful quality to his work that reflects his personality: open, energetic, and always ready to explore the next idea.

Since 2020, Rhomie has been collaborating with artist Subrina Lorenzo, and together they’ve built something pretty special. As Artists and Curators of Gallery 654 along Gallery Row in downtown Fresno, the two have developed a creative rhythm that turns imagination into large-scale, mixed media sculpture. Their work combines clay, repurposed wood, metal, and found materials into one-of-a-kind pieces designed for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Their process is part conversation, part experimentation, and part “let’s see what happens if we try this.” Rhomie begins each piece by building ceramic forms that are anything but static—he pushes texture, plays with glaze, and creates surfaces that feel full of motion and life. Then Subrina steps in, cutting, welding, acid washing, and assembling the various elements into bold, dimensional sculptures. The result is a seamless fusion of their skills—organic meets industrial, structure meets spontaneity.

Together, they’ve created a world filled with whimsical animals, expressive fish, radiant suns, and dreamy moons—pieces that feel equally at home in a garden, a living space, or as the unexpected conversation starter you didn’t know you needed.

But what really sets Rhomie apart is the spirit behind the work. He creates from a place of joy, curiosity, and connection—and that energy is contagious. Whether he’s in the studio, collaborating, or just talking about ideas, there’s a sense that for Rhomie, making art isn’t just what he does—it’s how he moves through the world.

We’re so happy to spotlight Rhomie this month and celebrate the creativity, collaboration, and unmistakable warmth he brings to the SJCGA community.

Follow him on Instagram @rhomiethompson

And Gallery 654 on Instagram @gallery.654

A man with short brown hair and a beard, smiling, sitting at a workshop table with a ceramic sculpture of a dragon in front of him. The sculpture has a detailed, textured body, four legs, and a tail. There are papers, a white mug, and tools on the table. The background shows a wall with colorful art, crafts, and decorations, including a large sun sculpture, a framed picture, and various small objects.

Decorative wall art of a sun with a face, featuring a circular face with closed eyes and a serene expression, surrounded by wavy metal rays.

Colorful ceramic fish and shell-shaped dishes on display at a market or store.

A woman and a man standing in front of a wall with a decorative round metal art piece featuring a frog, leaves, and flowers.

Unfinished ceramic sculpture resembling a sheep with detailed textured surfaces and small protruding features, in a workspace setting with art supplies and tools in the background.

Decorative wall art featuring a fish sculpture with a fishing rod and green leaves arranged in a circular metal frame.

A man working on a ceramic sculpture in an art studio, surrounded by various art supplies, tools, and other sculptures.

FEATURED MEMBER CLAY MIX

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026

Clay Mix is not simply a resource for ceramic artists in Central California — it is the heart, the foundation, and the driving force behind the region’s thriving pottery community.

Founded in 2008 by Ritsuko Miyazaki, Clay Mix has transformed what it means to support artists. What began as a supply studio has grown into an indispensable creative hub where ideas are tested, skills are sharpened, and lifelong artistic journeys are launched. From clay bodies and expertly developed glazes to tools, equipment, kiln firing services, studio space, and workshops, Clay Mix provides the essential framework that allows our community to flourish.

Ritsuko Miyazaki’s influence cannot be overstated. As a master glaze maker and technician, her knowledge has elevated the technical and aesthetic standard of ceramics across the Central Valley. Her generosity in sharing that expertise — whether troubleshooting a firing, refining a glaze surface, or encouraging a new potter through their first success — has shaped countless artists. The strength of our regional ceramics scene bears her fingerprint.

Equally extraordinary is the Clay Mix team: Savanna Jones, Kate Desoto, Angel Tapia, and Tiwi Wood. Their warmth, patience, and collaborative spirit make Clay Mix more than a store or studio — they make it a gathering place. They celebrate victories, help solve problems, and foster an atmosphere of belonging that keeps artists coming back not just for supplies, but for community.

Clay Mix supports schools, mentors emerging potters, hosts workshops that expand horizons, and consistently champions both new and established artists. Their commitment to nurturing creativity at every level has directly contributed to the remarkable depth of talent found throughout Central California.

The success of our pottery community is not accidental. It is cultivated. It is sustained. And much of that strength traces back to Clay Mix Studio & Supplies.

We are proud to recognize them as our Member of the Month — and deeply grateful for the leadership, generosity, and excellence they bring to our community every single day.

Visit Clay-Mix.com

Four people standing close together indoors, smiling, in front of shelves with books and pottery, with a large red art piece on the left. They are wearing casual clothing and appear to be happy.

FEATURED ARTIST Kathy McGuire

January/February

Kathy McGuire is a true Fresno treasure and a go-to source of both great glazes and great laughs. Best known for her iconic Frozen Pond glaze technique, Kathy is a master of glazing and a generous, kind, and wildly knowledgeable ceramic artist.

Her skill and creativity have made her someone other artists genuinely want to collaborate with. She shares her immense glaze wisdom with an open heart and zero gatekeeping, whether you are standing next to her in the studio at Clay Mix or discovering her work halfway around the world in an Amaco Glazes Facebook forum. Artists from across the globe regularly credit Kathy for inspiring them to experiment with and adopt her signature Frozen Pond technique.

She has inspired hundreds of thousands of ceramic artists worldwide to try new ideas, and share what they learn along the way.

Kathy McGuire is proof that the ceramics community is better when knowledge is shared, joy is loud, and laughter is always welcome in the studio. It is this generous spirit that made her the perfect choice as the first SJCGA featured artist.

Check her out on Instagram @KLM4655

On Facebook @klm4655