Let us introduce ourselves…

Two white women in glasses with their two young children, all smiling

Sara & Naomi

owners

Sara and Naomi started Studio T/M in January of 2016 as their personal studio space. Over the years the studio grew, and they began taking on studio assistants and teaching classes. In the summer of 2020, Sara left her full-time teaching position at Gainesville High School to run the studio full-time. In July of 2023 the new home of Studio T/M opened just a mile and half from the original 1,000 sq. ft. studio. You can see Sara’s work at saratruman.com or follow her on Instagram @sbtruman

A white woman with glasses in a green top with wavy blonde hair holding a mug outside

They are holding a young black kitten in a blue top

A white man sitting in his pottery studio with a blue galaxy top on crocheting

Claire

Studio Manager | Instructor

Claire Lenahan is an artist who works in a variety of mediums, currently focusing on interactive installations of pottery. Her work subtly disorients the viewer by queering western domestic conventional objects through failure, the performance of our daily actions, queer phenomenology, and social engagement. She received her MFA in Studio Art (Ceramics) at the University of Florida.

Claire teaches Introduction to Wheel Throwing and Intermediate/Independent Study Wheel. Claire is also our studio manager overseeing the day to day operations of the studio. You can see more of her work on her website or on Instagram. She is also booking private lessons. Email us to schedule.

Meg

Lead Instructor

Meghan is our Lead Instructor, and teaches several wheel throwing and hand building classes a week! Meghan is from Jacksonville, Florida, and received her BFA in Ceramics from the University of Florida in 2007. She makes beautiful pots and incredible figure sculpture, and you can often find her enthusiastically sharing her deep knowledge for clay with anyone in the studio!

You can also join Meghan for wheel-throwing or hand-building. She is available for booking private lessons. Email us to schedule.

Jack

Studio Assistant Lead| kiln room technician | Instructor

Jack Manfredi is a Gainesville, Florida local who found his passion for clay in Sara’s class at Gainesville High School! He started volunteering at the studio when he was 15, and became Sara’s apprentice and the studio’s first employee at 19! His enthusiasm for functional pots and the ins and outs of clay are limitless.

In 2021 Jack and Sara were awarded the Studio Potter Apprenticeship Grant, which supported Jack financially for a year as Sara’s apprentice. Jack is the youngest recipient to ever receive the grant. He completed a second year apprenticeship before continuing as her assistant, and now Studio Assistant lead. He is available for booking private lessons. Email us to schedule. Check out his work on Instagram at @jacks_pots.

Sofia

Materials Specialist | Instructor | Studio assistant

Sofia Zavarse is one of our new material specialist, and is also another Gainesville local. Sofia began taking classes at Studio T/M and it was no time at all before she joined our team. Sofia makes beautiful functional pottery, and teaches both our Introduction to Wheel, Wheel 2 courses as well as our Spanish Immersion Throwing course.

Sofia also teaches our one day events and Sip n’ Spin as well. You can find Sophia on the weekends when it’s cooler out with a beautiful table of her wares at our local makers markets. She is available for booking private lessons. Email us to schedule. You can find more of her work on Instagram at @cricketclayworks.

Jackson

Studio Assistant

Jackson is a recent graduate of the University of Florida where he earned his BFA and certificate in ceramics. He works interdisciplinary in fiber arts, ceramics, and painting, and has exhibited work in his home state of Florida, as well as in Maryland, Colorado, Mississippi, and North Carolina, most recently being awarded “Best in Show” at the National Juried Exhibition in Oxford, MS. His work revolves around themes of queerness, community, craft, memory, and environmental ecology in the face of the anthropocene.

Clara

Instructor and Studio Assistant

Abbey

Instructor

Abbey is a Gainesville, Florida native that attended Mississippi State University for her Undergraduate Studies. After returning to Gainesville she started her business, CeramicAF. She makes beautiful handmade dinnerware and functional pottery, when she’s not hanging with her husband and awesome little boy, Gus. You can find Abbey teaching our homeschool kids courses and our one time events.