Our Teachers

I first discovered my passion for clay during high school in 2013. After graduating, that passion fell off as there was nowhere accessible or affordable for me to play with clay in the lower mainland. In the summer of 2022, I walked into The Clay Warehouse, and I knew I was home, and you couldn't get me out of this place. Finally, having a space to play with clay but also connecting with everyone in this supportive, fun, and safe community.

My passions are hand building and sculpting, but I love learning as I lean more into my wheel practice. I enjoy bringing nature into my projects, creating things I've seen, or digging deep and putting my feelings into clay. I love bright colours, sparkles, and pretty things. Combining my passion for yoga and pottery through our special workshops has been a pleasure and opened new perspectives for clay practice. By day I am an early childhood educator who runs a child care centre, I teach hot yoga, and by night, you can find me in gremlin mode, staying at The Clay Warehouse till ungodly hours. I look forward to meeting you, whether in my class or hanging out at the studio. 

Aaron Demes - He/Him/His 

Aaron Demes (pronounced Dee-Miss) embarked on his journey as a hobby ceramicist in 2022, driven by his desire to check off one of the items on his "40 things to do before 40" list. While his childhood fascination with ceramics was sparked by family visits to Hornby Island potter Wayne Ngan's studio, it wasn't until taking his first course at The Clay Warehouse that Aaron quickly fell in love with the wheel. Aaron's work is influenced by his appreciation for simple modernist aesthetics, while also incorporating "subtle elements" of queer culture into his work. He finds joy in creating functional pieces that people use in their everyday. 

Often found alongside Aaron in the studio is his beloved sheepadoodle, Solo, who is always happy to receive pets and snuggles. He spends his time outside the studio working for TransLink, watching anything Star Wars, or biking with his husband.

Brendan Carroll - He/Him - @indoorceramics

Hey there, I'm Brendan – one of the hand-building class instructors. Step into the studio, where every lump of clay holds the promise of something new, like learning how to reclaim your clay. 

In my practice, clay isn't about magic – it's about technique, patience, and a little bit of guesswork. From sleek boxes to tall lamps, I love pushing the boundaries of what's possible with slabs. Lately, I've been captivated by Nerikomi, blending colours and patterns with precision and purpose, as well as levelling up my skills at the wheel. In the past, I've made large coil pots, coiled and slab-built planters, mugs, plate sets, and symmetrical geometric shapes.

If you're ready to get to know some clay without using the wheel and all that mud, join me at the studio, where we'll explore coil building, the intricacies of slab work, and how to find the results you're looking for with commercial glazes. Whether you're a wheel-throwing potter looking to level up your work, or a curious beginner, there's a place for you in my class.

Courtney Paige - She/Her - @courtneypaigeceramics

Courtney is one of the founders of The Clay Warehouse. She primarily teaches our Beginners Wheel 101 class as she loves spreading her love for this medium to new faces. You can also find her teaching some specialty classes every now and then. Her teaching style and general vibe is laid back but somehow loud. She loves drawing inspiration for her work from local natural landscapes with an emphasis on natural and organic forms. 

Scott Pierce - He/Him - @cynicalceramics

Scott is the other founder of The Clay Warehouse. He teaches Wheel Throwing 102 for continued beginners and never forgets to bring the sass. Scott is an incredibly kind soul that loves sharing his passion for pottery and is always willing to help. He creates work that is modern yet timeless with an emphasis on uniformity with a hint of cynicism. You can usually find Scott puttering around the studio and giving Courtney a hard time.