Dusted and Blue Staff

Samantha Lee - Owner

Sam Lee is a pen illustrator, potter, and owner of Dusted and Blue in San Francisco. She has been drawing landscape illustrations since she was a little one, and took it more seriously in 2012. She has had several solo independent exhibitions in SF and has gained most of her following through instagram. She currently owns Dusted and Blue in San Francisco where she creates, teaches classes, and cultivates a community of potters through memberships. Most of her time is spent in the pottery studio and her downtime consists of traveling and illustrating moments of those trips. She has been featured in the coffee table book and instagram “She Explores.” 

She holds a BFA in textile design from the Academy of Art. When she isn’t making pottery or drawing she spends a lot of time with her brindle dog, Harper, who is just as adventurous as her.

Olivia Donnini - Wheel Throwing Teacher

Olivia Donnini has worked with clay all of her life. Originally a handbuilder, she also loves throwing on the wheel to make functional wares and miniature pottery. She is excited about introducing folks to clay for the first time, and believes that, at the end of the day, it's just mud so we should have some fun with it!

When she's not teaching or selling her work at local craft fairs, you can find her drawing new slab stencils, throwing off of the hump, or making dinner sets. Glazing is her favorite part of the ceramics process -- she's always happy to talk colors and textures.

You can find Olivia's work at craft fairs throughout the Bay and at Needles & Pens here in San Francisco.

Yukiko Watanabe - Wheel Throwing Teacher

Growing up in Japan, I have always been fascinated by the sense of genuine, natural, imperfect beauty that is situated in quietness and serenity. Working with clay puts me in a state of peace and “mu” 無 (quiet emptiness), and I hope you will sense that through my pottery. I recently launched Eat With Your Eyes Pottery to combine my passion for pottery and the culinary arts. My tableware designs are based on my imagination of the holistic dining experience and atmosphere. I find joy in being part of students' clay journey, helping them explore and find their own artistry.

Instagram (@pottery.japonesa): https://www.instagram.com/pottery.japonesa/

Ahn Lee - Assistant Studio Manager / Hand Building Teacher

Ahn Lee (they/she) is a queer Cantonese artist and researcher. Their interdisciplinary practice of ceramics, research and performance relies on a combined methodology of autobiographical re-making and research on the Cantonese

Diaspora. Ahn started working with clay in 2019 via YouTube tutorials, and has since never stopped. She is a ceramic hand builder, and avid learner of glaze chemistry and firing techniques. 

Ahn received their MFA in May 2022 from UC Berkeley’s Art Practice Department, where they were the 2021 Jack K. and Gertrude Murphy Awardee. Ahn previously studied in UCLA’s Gender Studies Department as a Eugene V. Cota Robles PhD Fellow before leaving the program to pursue art full-time. Since 2022, Ahn has held residencies at Headlands Center for the Arts, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Real Space and Time, and Anderson Ranch Arts Center. When she is not making art, Ahn loves spending time with her family and cat, Totoro.

Ricky kwong - Wheel Throwing Teacher

Ricky Kwong is a multi-disciplinary artist who has worked in graphic design, fashion design, and art direction. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in Design & Media Arts, and after a career in front of a computer screen he decided to take a break and work with a more tactile medium. Although he grew up painting and drawing, Ricky had never worked with clay so he took a wheel throwing class for fun. Six years later he is still at it and has created a line of products under the name “Bowl Cut Ceramics” that can be found in stores across the city. His pieces can be described as playful, whimsical, and full of personality.

Instagram: @bowlcutceramics

ALEX BECK - WHEEL THROWING TEACHER

Alex moved to the Bay Area from Indiana, where he got started in ceramics and wheel throwing in high school. Once in San Francisco, he started taking classes at Ruby’s Clay Studio and eventually Clay by the Bay.  Alex continues to participate in the community at both studios as an instructor & member. He also teaches wheel classes at Pinckney Clay & Brick and Mortar Studios. You can find Alex’s work at select stores in the Bay Area and also at art & craft markets and fairs throughout the region.

Alex works mostly on the potter's wheel and enjoys enhancing his forms with textures, carving, and surface design.  This makes each pot unique and expressive.  Check out Alex’s work online at https://alexbeckceramics.com/shop-now/ and stay up to date by following on Instagram @alexbeckceramics