May 2024 Staff Highlight: Brooke Hanson

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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.

Artist Bio

“ I grew up in Auburn, Washington and enjoy spending my spare time outdoors, especially with friends and family. My summers are filled with camping trips that bring me closer to hikes and swimming spots. I love learning new hobbies like embroidery, collage, photography, and water marbling. 

My first clay experiences were as a preschool teacher exploring hand building with kids. I loved the sensory experience and found a lot of joy creating with little ones. When I moved to West Seattle, I found Rain City Clay and started classes here in 2022. I quickly became immersed in the world of ceramics and spent a large part of that summer at the studio. “

This month we are highlighting: Brooke Hanson (she/her)!

What do you like about being an RCC participant and staff person?

I love being part of the community at RCC and having a place to come create. Over the last two years, I’ve met so many people as we’ve continued on our ceramics journeys! It’s fun to get to know someone’s style and then start recognizing their work on the shelves. I like creating in a community studio because some days I want to be social and chat with others to see what they’re making. Other days I want time to myself after a long day at school, and I can quietly work while listening to my audiobook. Becoming a staff person at RCC has only deepened my appreciation for the wonderful community here.

Describe your staff role in your own words.

My role as the outreach coordinator is to connect with outside organizations and develop programs where we take clay to them! The current focus for outreach is with youth, and I’m instructing after-school ceramics clubs at Arbor Heights Elementary. Learn more about the RCC Clay Club

In my experience as a teacher, I’ve learned how to engage kids in creating art, and it’s exciting to combine that with my love of ceramics. It was in my role as a preschool teacher that I discovered how important creative time was to me. I would often find myself at the art table making projects with little ones and helping them develop a growth mindset around their art practice. It was amazing for me to see kids work through challenges and helped me develop a growth mindset too!

One of my favorite things about working with children is seeing them in the creative process. When you hand a kid a ball of clay, they immediately start manipulating it and making something, even if they’ve never touched clay before. I’ve noticed that’s different from what I see with adults; we are more hesitant to make something just for the sake of play or exploration. It’s a reminder to me to allow myself time to be curious and play!

What is your favorite part of the clay process?

My favorite part of the clay process is glazing! I’m experimenting with new glaze combinations and techniques right now. One of my favorite things to do is dip one layer of glaze, then add wax resist to make designs before adding another glaze. It’s interesting to see what happens with each glaze combination and I’m learning which ones I like the most.

What is your favorite glaze combo?

Some of my favorite glaze combos are Furple over Sea Green and Sapphire Blue over Tenmoku Gold. I like making designs with wax resist between layers of glaze. Next I want to experiment with using tape to resist glaze and try out more glazes in the spray booth.

What valuable lessons do you wish you knew when you first began?

I’ve learned along my artistic journey that I don’t need to be so precious with every pot I make. For example, it’s so useful to cut a pot in half after throwing it to see how the walls look, and I wish I’d done that more as a beginner on the wheel! I kept every single thing I made when I started throwing because I was so proud to have created anything. I’m glad I kept those pieces to see where I started, but now I’m much more likely to reclaim a funky piece if I don’t see a vision for how to decorate or glaze it.

What's next for Brooke? Shows? Etc?

I’m participating in the Jellyfish Cup show coming up, and I’m already thinking about what I’ll make for the Dubsea Cup Show in the fall! This year I’d also like to attend workshops in studios around the PNW with the goal of learning new techniques while taking some fun little road trips.

What are your inspirations or influences when making work?

Some of my ideas come from designs I’ve doodled, like my squiggly line pots. I’m very often inspired by nature such as leaves, flowers, and ferns. Pressing those items into clay is one of my favorite techniques. Ask anyone who's been on a walk with me and they’ll tell you I stop every block to take a picture of some especially beautiful tulip, pinecone, or leaf. Lately, I've found myself inspired by patterns on fences or the side of buildings, and I've been sketching some patterned designs to try out.

Do you want to share your IG? Website?

You can find me on Instagram @ceramics.by.brooke

Is there something you’ve wanted to try making?

Something I want to try making again is a bird bath! I haven’t made one in over a year. I built a few small ones and had a great time adding slip or underglaze and carving through with squiggly lines. Next time I make one I want to go bigger so I can use the large canvas for decoration. Carving through slip is so satisfying, especially on a large piece.

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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.