Learn pottery!
I’m passionate about helping others discover their creativity or hone their clay skills. I teach with a trauma-informed approach, with an emphasis on building creative confidence and ownership over one’s practice.
I deepened my pottery practice as an exhausted and overwhelmed architect working a 9-to-5. My weekly classes inspired and re-invigorated me, reminding me of the creative energy that had once felt integral to my identity. I love getting to share that pursuit with others.
Healing through clay
Since 2004, clay has provided me with healthy distraction in times of trauma. I know how healing it can be to play with clay, to transform it from a mass into a functional pot, or even to simply mash it in your hands while your heart and brain work through pain. Through grief and loss, the meditative act of making pottery has given me space to heal, and I hope to provide that opportunity to others.
Please be in touch with any questions or requests.
Student Testimonials
Ali is a fantastic teacher. She meets every student where they are, and is able to effortlessly translate complicated techniques and ideas. Ali is a technical master (it was fun just watching the class demonstrations), but is infinitely humble, which allows the most novice pottery student to feel welcome and a part of this potentially intimidating world. Ali’s expertise and enthusiasm are infectious. I was hoping to take a pottery class just as something to do after work, but I left with real knowledge and an itch to keep learning and making with clay. I cannot wait until the next pottery class I have the opportunity to take, and preferably it will be with Ali.
-Abdi Farah
Ali is such a patient, creative, and encouraging teacher. She makes space for both calm and playfulness in her classes, and is passionate about making her students' creative visions come to be.
-Natalie S.
Ali is a terrific, responsive instructor. I enjoyed the class so much that I can't wait to take a second round!
- Robin G.
