A Grand Start for Rain City Clay

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We had our Grand Opening celebration early April 2022 and have since hit the ground running with a full roster of classes!

We kicked off the day of celebrations with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. The rest of the day was packed with studio tours, fun community activities, live music, and bites from a delicious local food truck (Eat So So Good).

The Rain city clay, and Rat City Studios crew

Guests could decorate clay raindrops with designs and well-wishes for the studio

Larry Laughlin demonstrated throwing pottery

a variety of raindrops decorated by attendees of the
grand opening

Bobby Medina and his Jazz quartet played an incredible set!

We screened our logo onto shirts, totes, and aprons people brought from home

our wonderful, spacious, wheel throwing classroom!

Classes are underway! René Gutierrez is throwing some demo pots.

handbuilding classroom

glazing area

Anika Major teaching her Hand-building class

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Deborah Schwartzkopf

As a studio artist, she makes fabulous tableware that infuses life with purposeful beauty. Deb was inspired by the guidance of amazing mentors along the way. These important relationships fostered her desire to engage and build community through clay. Her adventurous spirit has taken her across the country and beyond to form a depth of experience, knowledge, and a supportive network.

In 2013 Deb established Rat City Studios in her hometown of Seattle, WA. RCS is her home and personal studio, as well as, a creative space for multiple studio members working independently. In 2022 she opened a sister studio, Rain City Clay in West Seattle. RCC is a community art center focusing on experiential learning through ceramics classes of all levels.

With over 15 years of experience, a Master’s of Fine Art at Penn State, artwork included in collections such as the Kamm Teapot Foundation, San Angelo Museum, and the WA State Arts Collection, numerous publications including Ceramic Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, and Studio Potter Magazine, she has been recognized and honored in her career as a maker.