Rain City Clay is lucky to be staffed by a group of dedicated ceramicists who work diligently to keep the studio running, who teach with passion and exuberance, and engage and build community through clay. In addition to all that they do at RCC, they also have their own clay practices, either in the RCC basement studios or off-site, where they make their own work and grow their skills. Each month we will be featuring one of our fantastic staff members and their talents.

This month we are highlighting Hayley Reed (they/them)!

Hayley’s Bio:

Hayley was raised in Houston, Texas, and received their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2018. Hayley makes pottery from their home studio in Seattle, WA. They make wheel-thrown and handbuilt pottery and are currently exploring stencil techniques to create contrast and patterns on their pots.

Hayley works as the marketing manager for Rain City Clay and
Rat City Studios. They also teach sessional pottery classes, individual lessons, and group events at Rain City Clay.

What do you like about being an RCC instructor and staff member?

So many things! Being part of the RCC/RCS team has been a truly special and pivotal experience in my life. I began working with Deb as a studio assistant in 2018, right after finishing my undergraduate degree. I continued in that role for nearly two years until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Soon after, plans for opening RCC began to take shape, and I was thrilled to be invited back to work for Deb as the social media manager and as a sessional instructor.

During this time, I've learned so much about working as a clay artist and as an instructor. I have always felt supported by Deb and the staff I've worked with over the years. Being part of this community has been a gift, and it has been wonderful to grow alongside everyone in all the roles I’ve taken on at RCC and in my own personal clay journey.

How many "hats" do you wear as a staff person?

I wear several hats at RCC! Primarily, I serve as the marketing manager, responsible for all the RCC/RCS Instagram and Facebook posts. I love editing images, writing captions, and using Canva to create fun posters, graphics, and promotional materials. My responsibilities span across social media, newsletters, photography, website editing, blog writing, and more. I also help organize and facilitate our shows, including the recent Jellyfish Cups Show, the Dubsea Cups Show, and the Holiday Show. On Sundays, I handle studio tech tasks like loading kilns, tidying the studio, and cleaning up/glazing pottery from studio events. Wearing many hats around the studio keeps my work exciting and diverse.

What do you love most about teaching?

I love sharing my passion for clay with the community and I enjoy watching people try new techniques and grow their skills session after session. It's especially rewarding to have repeat students in my classes, as it allows me to build connections and help them achieve their long-term goals.

How long have you been working with clay?

I started working with clay 8 years ago! I took my first in-depth clay course in college. Feeling lost in my studies, I enrolled in an intro to throwing class and I fell in love with it pretty instantly. I loved the tactile nature of the material, and the sense of community in the clay department was strong and so welcoming.

What are your inspirations / influences when making work?

I have drawn inspiration from many sources over the years, with different influences coming to the forefront at various times. Recently, I've been excited to create pride-themed pots. As I've become more comfortable and open about my queer and trans identities, making these pieces helps me feel proud and connected to those communities. I also really love working with pattern and texture.

When do you feel most inspired?

Teaching leaves me feeling inspired. I often get caught up in my own head, thinking about what to do rather than doing it, but seeing students eagerly jump in and try new things is refreshing. Being around the RCC studio and teaching reminds me to not be so cautious.

What is your favorite tool?

My Cricut machine has become an essential tool in my clay process. I use it to cut Tyvek stencils for decorating my pots, allowing me to achieve precise details quickly and efficiently. Plus, it enables me to produce as many stencils as I need.

My favorite clay tool is my trusty little red rubber mud tools rib. I love that thing. It has great flexibility for shaping and smoothing pots, compressing stencils onto my pots, and so much more.

If you could have a clay-making superpower, what would it be?

My clay super-power would be attaching handles that never crack.

Do you like to listen to music or podcasts in the studio? If so, do you have a playlist or favorite musician, or show you'd like to share?

As many know, my favorite artist is Taylor Swift and I’m often listening to her discography in my studio. I also love the podcasts Normal Gossip and The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week. If you like science, history, and humor you’ll love “Weirdest Thing”.

What's next for Hayley? Shows? Etc?

I’m so excited to be the June featured artist at Good Earth Pottery! I have a really vibrant collection of Pride Pots that will be on show for the month. The show has an opening reception this Saturday, June 1st from 3-5pm. The show will then be live online after the reception at 5:30pm on June 1st.

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June 2024 Staff Highlight: Hayley Reed

Get to know Hayley!