Ella Rhodes (she/her)
Owner
Ella has been working with ceramics since 2017, and graduated from RMIT with a Bachelor of Fine Art (Ceramics) in 2021. She is particularly inspired by artists such as Leah Kaplan and Sharon Brill for their sculptural processes using porcelain, and is drawn to the fluidity and lines within nature and the human body. She loves to push porcelain beyond its material capabilities as this allows for the natural folding and cracking of the clay body in her sculptural works. Ella loves the challenge of a new form, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering it.
Ami Fujiu (she/her)
Teacher/ Kiln Technician
Ami is Elsternwick’s kiln technician, and comes with eight years of ceramics experience and a diploma in ceramics. Ami has aspired to be a potter and kiln technician from a young age, and she has an extensive knowledge of ceramics processes. Her work is inspired by her Japanese heritage, with her work frequently reflecting Japanese techniques that aren’t commonly seen in Western pottery.
Tegan (Tig) Harris (she/her)
Teacher
Tig started her ceramics journey by attending classes at the Céramiques studios in early 2022 and has been evolving her practice ever since. She began taking ceramics classes in an effort to prioritise a hobby amongst the business of life, but it quickly turned into a deep passion that she finds both relaxing and exciting. She draws a lot of inspiration from her Nan who loved and collected ceramics. Tegan finds the trimming process the most relaxing part of the ceramics process and has enjoyed developing her skills further with the guidance and inspiration of her colleagues at the Céramiques studios.
Abigail Rook (She/Her)
Studio Hand/ Teacher
Abi started ceramics in 2019, when she attended a six week term at Ceramiques. During the pandemic, she moved into hand building and then returned to wheel throwing in 2024. She is currently studying my MFA at RMIT.
Abi draws a lot of inspiration from childhood nostalgia and sentimental belongings. She loves the transformation between throwing and trimming; carving away the excess clay, adding feet and a frilly top edge.
Amy Wilson (She/Her)
Studio Hand/ Teacher
Amy has been creating ceramics for around 4 years and attended her first term at Ceramiques in September 2021.Amy finds beauty in noticing shapes in nature that are ‘imperfect’ and how that relates to the individuality of pieces made by hand. Amy particularly loves the magic of a good pull while throwing. She also teaches knitting and loves finding ways to meld the worlds of clay and textiles together.
Birdie
Studio Hand/Teacher
Birdie has been working with ceramics for 7 years and are influenced most by sea creatures and organic textures. Birdies favourite part of the ceramic process is opening the kiln after a glaze firing and making teapots!
Ellisa Foster (she/her)
Owner
Ellisa has been hand building and throwing since 2017, leaving her job as a school teacher to pursue her full time career as a ceramicist. Born into a line of potters, her adoration for ceramics combines with her extensive teaching experience to create the well rounded teaching curriculum seen at Ceramiques.
Ellisa draws inspiration from both the forms of Ancient Egyptian vessels and the colours and fluidity of the Renaissance era, with a deep appreciation for the intricacies of ceramic bodies of work. This is reflected in her own work, frequently getting lost in the meditative nature of the wheel throwing process and feeling empowered by the outcome of her creations.
Her years of experience includes understudying well known ceramicists both in Melbourne and overseas, elevating and inspiring the quality of staff and students at Ceramiques through her teachings.
Emma Wilson (she/her)
Teacher
Emma acquired a love for ceramics five years ago, and holds an admiration for her craft. Fuelled by her passion for creating functional ceramics, Emma loves to pass her knowledge on to her students and brings her passion into each class.
Molly Stamatellis (she/her)
Teacher
Molly has been working with ceramics for 6 years and is deeply influenced by her culture and often allows ancient Greek ceramics to inform her practice. While she draw from their forms, she aim’s to reinterpret them through her own perspective and ideas. Dimitris Kouvdis, Danielle Thiris, and Eleni Vernadaki are some of her favourite practising artists, but she is also significantly inspired by her community- being in a shared studio invites endless conversation, and it’s such a joy for her to be surrounded by like-minded people. Those open exchanges help flesh out ideas and push her practice forward (and hopefully theirs).
Molly’s favourite part of ceramics is the firing process! She finds packing kilns akin to a tangible, more risky version of Tetris and she loves seeing the dramatic changes from bisque to vitrification. She says that if you’ve ever opened a kiln, you know the free ASMR is just part of the magic.
Adam Lord (He/Him)
Teacher
Courtney Smith (She/Her)
Teacher
Courtney has been working with ceramics for almost 4 years. Court doesn’t have a particular influence but says that she puts everything she is inspired by into her mind-cauldron, adds some spice and lets it cook. Courtney’s favourite part of the ceramic process is surface decoration in all aspects, however her favourite part is always changing depending on mood or project. Courtney has also professionally tattooed for over 15 years and has found this, alongside painting, has informed her ceramics practice greatly.
Maya Jones (She/Her)
Teacher
Maya started her ceramics journey in 2023, completing two hand building terms at Céramiques and has been creating in her home studio ever since. Her biggest influences come from childhood, as she would describe her art as whimsical and playful, and very much taps into her inner child with her animal-inspired sculptures. Maya’s father was an artist and sculptor and she feels very connected to him when sculpting. Her mum always created space for her to express my art growing up.
Maya’s favourite part of the ceramic process is sculpting over a course of hours/ days. She loves how a piece develops and becomes refined the more she goes; finding it very therapeutic to switch off for an evening. In 2025, Maya began teaching at Céramiques and has loved being part of a community of like-minded, creative people who constantly inspire her.
Jack Parnaby (he/him)
Group Manager/ Teacher
Jack is a teacher and kiln technician for Kew. He has been working with clay for five years, learning the process from a college teacher. He draws influences from natural elements which involve a lot of neutral tones and interesting textures. Jack’s favourite part of the ceramics process is the moment a pot has just come out of the bisque firing.
Zara Blake (she/her)
Teacher
Zara is a self taught ceramicist and has been practising for three years. She enjoys the throwing and firing process of making - particularly taking interest in raku explorations and using the live flame to create interesting effects onto the clay surfaces. Zara also likes handbuilding and discovering new techniques and firing methods.
Erin Bussell (she/her)
Glaze Technician
Erin has been working with ceramics for 8 years, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) for RMIT. Erin is influenced most by natural forms and the material itself and enjoys experimenting with different ways of working with ceramics materials.
Stephanie Imlach (She/Her)
Teacher
Steph has been making ceramics for 3 years and enjoys throwing functional pots as well as hand building decorative pieces. She loves the limitless design opportunities offered in ceramics and the cathartic nature of the processes. Teaching students brings her much joy, watching their progress and seeing what they create always inspires her in her own practise.
Annabelle Kingston-Brown (She/Her)
Teacher
Annabelle has been playing with ceramics for 5 years. She is influenced by everyday rituals, like morning coffee. Belle is drawn to work that is made with intention, but comfortable being used. Annabelle loves the flow state of throwing.; that early moment in the process where the clay is responsive, theres nothing to lose, and everything still feels possible.