our teachers

FOUNDING INSTRUCTOR

Claire Willis is a founding partner of Clay & Company and an artist and educator living in Deerfield, IL. 

Claire grew up in Wilmette, IL and attended Interlochen Arts Academy in northern Michigan for high school, where she concentrated in Creative Writing and Visual Arts. After an immersive and life changing experience as an apprentice at the Rochester Folk Art Guild, Claire continued to explore traditional pottery in a variety of contexts that led her to become a certified Montessori educator and teacher. She has been teaching clay in some capacity for over 20 years, and began running her home studio teaching all ages in 2021. 

Inspired by the serenity of nature and the rhythms of life inherent in the process of creating with clay, she looks to pass on this joy and appreciation to her students and those who use her pottery pieces in their daily lives. 

CORE INSTRUCTOR

Natalie Poklop graduated from Alfred University with a BFA concentrating in ceramics and began working with clay at 11 years old. She creates functional pottery including traditional dinnerware, hanging lights, and everything in between. 

 Natalie now teaches adult ceramics classes, focusing on blending technical execution with the unique ideas and expressive differences of each student, primarily in the form of functional pottery. Natalie aims to build a light, playful atmosphere where no idea is too outlandish!

CORE INSTRUCTOR

 Samantha Hostert is originally from Wisconsin and currently resides in Arlington Heights, IL. She studied painting and drawing at Santa Clara University, then received her Masters in Education from DePaul University. 

Samantha has taught art in various capacities for years including high school, community art centers, corporate teambuilding workshops, virtual workshops, and visiting artist presentations. She currently teaches ceramics at Lillstreet Art Center, makes soda-fired and cone 6 work, and enjoys spending time with her 9-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. 

CORE INSTRUCTOR

Natalie is a Chicago-based ceramicist who has worked with clay as her primary medium for over three decades. With two decades of experience managing ceramics studios and teaching, she brings a deep knowledge of the material and a passion for creative expression to every classroom. Her work spans a wide range of styles—from formal and functional pieces to playful and dark sculptural forms.

Her current focus is a series of ceramic monsters that balance humor and the macabre. Originally inspired by personal explorations of trauma, these creatures have become a way to transform difficult emotions into whimsical, expressive figures. They offer a gentle reminder that art can be a tool for healing, and Natalie brings that understanding to her teaching—offering a supportive, nonjudgmental space for students of all backgrounds.

Natalie currently teaches at The Takiff Center in Glencoe, IL, The Art Center Highland Park, and Gnareware Workshop in Chicago. She exhibits nationally, and her work is frequently shown in galleries and exhibitions across the country.

Natalie holds a BFA in Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago.

CORE INSTRUCTOR

Raised on the banks of the great lakes state, Ana Spencer is a teaching artist now , based in Chicago.  She  makes functional work with the intention to make everyday activities feel special or even ceremonial. 

Ana draws inspiration from her love of Northern Michigan, connection to nature , and playful connection to life and childhood. Her highly decorative work is intended to make you smile and feel joy, she achieves this by incorporating bright colors and highly decorative surfaces. 

With her near 20  years of teaching experience, Ana believes that art education is essential to a person's development and has made it her passion to share her art and skills  with youth and adults alike.  

Ana graduated from Northern Michigan University with a BFA in ceramics in 2005.  She is currently the ceramics department head at  the Art Center Highland Park IL,  as well Summer  Teaching Artist in Resident  at Glen Arbor Art Center in Glen Arbor Michigan. 

CORE INSTRUCTOR

Based in the north suburbs of Chicago, David Hartshorne holds a master's degree in English and has been teaching ceramics for over 25 years. His relaxed teaching style aims to draw out the creative spark for both beginner and experienced potters, helping to establish and maintain a solid foundation while exploring a variety of surface treatments and altered forms.

While leading the soda firing team at Stirling Hall in Lake Forest, David has encouraged experimentation within a framework based on the timeless techniques of both traditional and contemporary potters, and he continues to pursue baking the perfect

loaf of bread.

CORE INSTRUCTOR

Cecilia Aviles is a dedicated and compassionate mother of four and grandmother of three, with a career that spans over two decades in the field of education. As an AMS-certified Montessori teacher, Cecilia has 20 years of experience fostering the growth and development of young minds. Her approach to teaching is deeply rooted in the Montessori philosophy, emphasizing independence, respect, and a love for learning.

Cecilia was first exposed to pottery in a Montessori classroom as she observed Claire give beautiful hands on demonstrations to children allowing them to explore clay in the most basic forms. Through this simplicity is where she’s inspired to explore clay with others to allow freedom without expectations.

GUEST INSTRUCTOR

Tamar Wolf was introduced to ceramics three years ago by Claire Willis and quickly fell in love with both wheel-throwing and hand-building. She has always loved spending time with children, whether as a camp program director or teaching in Sunday school. 

Tamar studied at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, and now lives in Northbrook with her husband and their two children.

GUEST INSTRUCTOR

Lauren Szczerski is currently a Sales And Marketing Associate- Ceramics Division at Nidec-Shimpo America. Lauren brings experience from previous roles at Nidec-Shimpo, Extreme Trampoline, Terra Incognito and Hi- Point Dental Lab. Lauren Szczerski holds a BFA in Art Education from Millikin University. With a robust skill set that includes Art, Ceramic, Visual Arts, Contemporary Art, Fine Art and more.

Lauren exhibits her work locally in central Illinois. She has taught and continues to teach both children and adults throughout the Illinois area. Her clay forms reside in  public and many private collections.

GUEST INSTRUCTOR

Rachel is a workshop instructor for Judaica ceramics. Rachel has been taking classes from Claire Willis for the last three years, and has developed a passion for being creative, especially in the area of Judaica.

GUEST INSTRUCTOR

Marcela is a workshop instructor for Judaica ceramics. Marcela, like Rachel, has been taking classes from Claire for the past four years and loves being creative around functional ceramics.