About Pottery Classes at Clay & Company

Clay & Company evolved from Claire Willis Pottery, which started in January 2021 when a portion of a Deerfield home patio was insulated with plastic sheeting, plexiglass, and heated with a space heater. The pottery studio emerged as an organic response to world events, beginning with just a wheel, a 6”x 6” test kiln, and a handful of eager students. The establishment of Claire Willis Pottery LLC paved the way for the studio's future direction and growth in the field of ceramic education.

At its core, our teaching method is shaped by Claire’s extensive experience in Montessori education and over 25 years spent in various ceramic educational contexts, including Montessori pottery. Classes are student-guided, emphasizing creative exploration and expression, allowing students to develop their skills through guided practice and realize their artistic potential.

A fundamental belief of the studio is that education through sensory experience fosters a deeper understanding of the material, the process, and one's connection to the natural world.

Marcela Sztainberg joined Claire Willis Pottery as a student in August 2022, quickly falling in love with the studio and all that Claire had to offer. Their friendship blossomed, leading to a partnership aimed at expanding the pottery studio to accommodate the growing number of interested students.

Claire Willis is an artist and educator living in Deerfield, IL. Her passion for pottery first emerged when she attended a teen workshop at the Rochester Folk Art Guild at the age of sixteen. This experience, coupled with her apprenticeship with Annie Schliffer, ignited her interest in local materials and traditions, leading her to collaborate with potters in Alabama, Mexico, and Massachusetts.

The birth of her son in 2009 inspired Claire to explore Montessori education, and she earned her Early Childhood certification, working as a classroom teacher. During this time, her pottery work evolved into ceramic education, ranging from facilitating sensory clay exploration for young toddlers to designing a comprehensive clay curriculum for children. She also built a pottery studio from the ground up with adolescents as part of their farm business operations, while teaching occasional adult pottery classes at local community centers.

In January 2021, Claire launched her own venture, Claire Willis Pottery LLC, in the back patio of her suburban home. This pottery studio allowed her to merge her love of pottery with her experience in Montessori pottery, offering lessons and workshops for all ages. Through this initiative, she has created opportunities for apprenticeships, fostering a vibrant suburban pottery community.

Marcela grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and immigrated to the United States at the age of 21. She has since lived in Detroit, New York (where she attended Stony Brook University), and for the past 21 years, in the Chicagoland area, where she and her family have made their home in Northbrook.

Outside of her professional life, Marcela is deeply devoted to her family. She has been happily married to Marcelo for 27 years, and together they have two grown children: Arie, 25, who resides in New York, and Ben, 22, who lives in Chicago. The family is also accompanied by their two beloved dogs, Pipa and Sally. Travel is a shared passion, and the family loves to explore new places, creating cherished memories along the way.

Marcela’s connection to ceramics began in childhood, as her mother, a ceramics teacher, ran a studio where Marcela spent time exploring the craft. Sadly, the studio closed when Marcela was only 10 years old. Like many, she rediscovered her love for pottery during the pandemic, and her journey into ceramic education was reignited when a fellow student at Claire Willis Pottery Studio, Amanda Rankin, invited Marcela to join Monday Night Wheel when the studio first opened, sparking a renewed passion for the art.

Professionally, Marcela serves as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Essendant, where she has worked for the past 15 years. In addition to her work in HR, she is an avid pottery enthusiast, finding both creative expression and relaxation in this hands-on craft. Whether in the workplace or at home, Marcela values the importance of community, connection, growth, and continuous learning, including her belief in the benefits of Montessori pottery for fostering creativity.

Marcela is excited about this ‘second’ chapter that will soon allow her to be a dedicated business owner, enjoy a partnership with Claire, and be a more active member of this wonderful community.