Curtis Fontaine grew up in Exeter NH and began learning ceramics from Ron Burke, Chris Archer and Sarah Burns. He continued his passion for clay at Skidmore College, managing their ceramics studio for two years and studying under Regis Brodie and Leslie Ferst. After school he moved on to an apprenticeship under Toshiko Takaezu. Living and working with her he learned the philosophies and practices of a natural artist. By the time he was finished with the apprenticeship he set out to strengthen his ties with nature. First he worked at Saratoga Apple for Christine and Nate Darrow and Joseph Garricks. Then on Masala Farm as an animal caretaker for Survir Saran and Charlie Burd, where he took care of alpacas, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, geese and more. In 2019 his work was selected by Todd Merrill to be carried in his gallery in NYC, South Hampton and around the country. Curtis tries to continue Toshiko’s practices by balancing his time between ceramics, nature and cooking.

I have been a student of clay since 2014. In the fall of 2016, shortly after moving to Vermont, I joined the vibrant Craft School clay community where my practice thrived under the mentorship (and friendship) of Rik Rolla. In 2019, I began working out of a private studio in Burlington where I make functional pots for every day use. I look forward to connecting with others through this special & grounding craft. When I’m not working with clay, you might find me tending to my garden, cozied up on the couch with a good book, or hanging out with my cat, Penelope.

-After graduating from University of Vermont with a BFA in Art Barbara became a studio potter, selling work in galleries and at craft fairs. In 1978, she became the resident potter at the Craft School, managing the studio and teaching classes. Changing course in 1987, she opened a picture framing business in her home in Shelburne. The love of clay frequently brought her back to the Craft School as a volunteer, sharing knowledge and skills. She is now the instructor of the Independent Clay class. --

Rik joined the Shelburne Craft School community in 2004, studying with Loreta Lanquet and Hoyt Berringer. In 2006, he started teaching kids clay classes at Burlington City Arts and became a studio assistant at the Shelburne Craft School. He is now the Craft School’s ceramics studio manager, teaches kids clay on the wheel, adult classes and is the community outreach instructor. He manages the open-studio schedule, studio monitors, kiln fires, and oversees equipment maintenance and supply ordering.

Sarah Camille Wilson has a BFA from Maine College of Art and an MFA from Syracuse University. She lives in Burlington Vermont, where she teaches a variety of ceramics classes and maintains a studio practice. Sarah's work in clay has taken her to China, India and around the US, and she loves exploring new clays in new places.