South St. Louis Pottery Studio

Lunch hour. After work. After dinner. Bring your mom, kids, friends, co-workers... At SBAP we are committed to improving the lives of Saint Louis kids, teens, adults, residents, visitors and volunteers of different neighborhoods, different jobs, identities and backgrounds. We provide affordable and free opportunities in pottery, ceramics, textile and sewing classes. By doing this we believe we can change lives and our community through art!

We love creatives who believe in making things by hand and don't mind getting messy or dirty. You need a place to get away from it all. Start an Etsy shop. Make your own mug or dinnerware set, or work on your portfolio. Even if you have never touched clay or a sewing machine before you can find your path here. All of our staff and instructors are highly skilled, experienced and qualified to help you on your MaK-ing journey...

Sarah Rye Bliss

Co-Founder + Instructor + Mentor
sarah@southbroadwayartproject.org
Sarah is an artist, educator, community volunteer and  mother of three children. Sarah graduated from Webster University in 2000 studying Studio Art with a focus in Architectural Ceramics, and Secondary Art Education. Sarah has been working as an artist and art educator for the past 20 years.  Sarah is a long-time resident of Marine Villa with

close ties to the community.

Program Role: Sarah oversees the creative vision and operation of SBAP as well as the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs, and services.  Sarah also works closely with the Board of Directors and Parent Ambassadors on Fund-raising.

Brittany Marquardt

Pottery Instructor + GAP Mentor

brittany@southbroadwayartproject.org

Brittany is an artist, educator, mother of two, and South City resident who is an active volunteer in the community. Brittany has a B.A. in Art Education from Humboldt State University in Arcata California (2009).  Brittany has also studied Ceramics at Webster University and St. Louis Community College. Brittany also sews and creates wearable clothing and textiles in her free time.

Program Role:  Brittany is the lead Pottery Instructor and works with the GAP Girls Apprenticeship Pottery program as well as coordinating parents, students, and

community within GAP Girls Club.

Madeline Stradal

Meet Madeline, one of our new teaching artists here at SBAP! We are so excited to welcome Madeline on staff and hope you have a chance to meet her soon too! Madeline graduated in 2017 from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in Art History and a minor in Studio Art, with a focus in ceramics. Madeline was born and raised in St. Louis, and enjoys spending time crafting, reading, and creating things out of clay! Madeline also works as a children’s librarian and has a deep connection to community education. This fall Madeline will be leaders nt Pop-Up Shop Workshops for young entrepreneurs enrolled in TAP Teen Apprenticeships as well as working as an instructor at Pottery Open Workshop.

Sonia Dae Slankard

Sonia Dae Slankard has an Associate of Fine Arts, she first studied ceramics at East Central College in Union Missouri, and then Later as a teaching artist in Art City, at City Museum for over 10 years. Her Passion is for Community engagement, In addition to her work at SBAP you can also find her working in the Art Lab at Thomas Dunn Learning Center.  Her Primary objective is to empower her students to think for themselves. She finds great joy in playful experimentation and believes there is an artist inside of everyone!

Amy K. Holmes

Amy K Holmes is a ceramic artist who works primarily with hand building techniques to produce work that is natural but otherworldly. She received her master's in sculpture and ceramics from Fontbonne University in Saint Louis. During graduate school, she presented her work at NCECA. Before that she took classes anywhere she could find in order to keep her hands dirty. Her biggest influences in the art world are Adrian Arleo, Lisa Orr and her grandmother B. Trim. Amy has worked previously teaching ceramics with disabled adults and children of all abilities. Amy's philosophy is that clay is accessible to everyone and everyone can nurture their creativity through clay.

Tim Bliss + Co-Founder tim@southbroadwayartproject.org

Tim graduated from Webster University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a concentration in Sculpture. Tim has been working for the past 18 years in as a sculptor, carpenter, and project manager. Tim is a resident of Marine Villa and is actively involved in neighborhood beautification and community activities.

Organization Role:  Tim is responsible for making sure that our buildings and their services meet the needs of students, staff and visitors. He also works to bring public art projects to life through his background in sculpture and project management.