Debbie Van Berkel - Owner and head Instructor

Debbie was fortunate to grow up on Vancouver Island, surrounded by the ocean, forests, wildlife, and the natural beauty of the West Coast. Nature was a big part of her life growing up and it continues to be one of Debbie's greatest influences in her artwork today. Clay quickly became something special. Debbie loves being able to take a simple piece of earth and with her own two hands turning it into something completely different. 

Although Debbie has traveled many different paths in life she has always found her way back to art and eventually back to pottery. With her ceramic journey starting in a high school, Debbie was able to enter her ceramic work in competitions and was fortunate to receive several awards. What began in a high school art room has grown into a life long passion for creating, learning, and now teaching others. Drawing from Debbie's inspirations she loves to sculpt and create pieces inspired by the natural world. Some of her favorites include frogs, owls, bears, otters, and elephants. She enjoys adding small details that give each animal or piece its own personality and character.  

In addition to having been a judge at the 2025 Stampede Craft Show, her own pottery creations have been showcased in major malls, shops, markets and museums throughout Alberta and have also been available through Etsy.  

As an instructor she wants to create a classroom where people feel comfortable learning, experimenting, and making mistakes. Debbie was fortunate to have a teacher who encouraged her when she was young and she hopes she can give her students that same encouragement and confidence. She enjoys teaching beginners and watching someone go from saying “I can't do this” to proudly holding something they created themselves!

Celeste is a ceramic Artist and educator Based in Calgary, Alberta. Celeste attended Alberta University of the Arts already having a love of clay and knew she would choose a path in clay. In 2023 she graduated from AUArts, receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts specializing in ceramic arts. She finds inspiration from her roots and world around her. Creating functional home décor and dishware from elements of the Alberta farming and western lifestyle that helped shape her into the person she is today. 

Celeste strives to make sure her students always feel welcome and heard. She ensures a fun environment where all students can reach their full potential and feel confident and proud of their pieces. She enjoys passing down her 10+ years of knowledge to new students and watching them fall in love with clay.  

I am an artsy person and painter but I was always drawn to ceramics. Pottery seemed challenging to start though - studios were scarce up until recently, class times never seemed to work, and after a full workday I just wanted to be home. Then in 2022, working from home and newly flexible, I spotted an ad for lessons with Debbie Van Berkel, in her home studio in my neighbourhood. That was all it took.

Almost five years in and I'm teaching beginners. I love it. There's something genuinely meaningful about watching a student hold something they made and feel proud of it.

My own work has been pulling me toward altered forms and sculpture lately, which tells you something about pottery: there are so many directions to explore, boredom doesn't really come into the picture.

Nicole is a parent of two great boys and, when she isn't serving as a principal in an elementary school, she can often be found in the pottery studio. She has been hand building with clay for more than 10 years and began exploring wheel throwing two years ago.

As both an educator and artist, Nicole is passionate about teaching and helping others discover their creativity through clay. She loves watching artists gain confidence as they transform simple pieces of clay into unique works of art. She especially loves working with children, encouraging them to explore, create, and build confidence through the artistic process.

Nicole is especially drawn to creating functional pottery that brings beauty and purpose to everyday life. For her, working with clay is both a creative outlet and a source of stress relief, offering a meaningful balance to the busy world of school leadership. Through her pottery, she hopes to inspire others to embrace creativity, explore new skills, and experience the joy of making something by hand.

Arden started experimenting with pottery because it's "in my blood"! Her grandmother was a potter for 30 years, and after inheriting a bunch of her supplies Arden figured she had to try it out.

Arden likes to make new things, every time she comes into the studio she tries to make something she hasn't made before. Arden loves big bellied mugs and vases, and creating interesting organic shapes. She hopes to bring positive energy to the studio! It's really easy to beat down on yourself and get frustrated, her goal is to help everyone see that they can get down the techniques in order to achieve the pieces they envision!