Denver Ceramic Studio: Find Your Center

Founder/ CEO

Stephanie Shaffer, our fearless Studio Director at Denver Ceramic Studio, is more than just clay and kilns—she's a force of nature with a knack for leaving a trail of retired teachers in her wake! Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Ceramics and a Master of Art in Art Education from Texas Woman’s University, Stephanie honed her craft so well that three professors opted for early retirement after witnessing her artistic prowess.

 

Not content with that feat, Stephanie gallantly continued her academic conquests at the University of North Texas, pursuing a PhD in art education. Her professors there, well, let's just say they have stories to tell.

 

For 20 illustrious years, Stephanie wielded her teaching credentials in special education and art across Texas, Colorado, and Oregon, sculpting young minds with clay and wisdom alike. But why stop there? Stephanie decided she was over-qualified for the regular classroom chaos and dove headfirst into entrepreneurship, making her mark in the pottery world like a tornado in a teapot.

 

Now, at Denver Ceramic Studio, Stephanie is the ringleader of creativity, the guru of glaze, and the maestro of mud. Her passion for ceramics is matched only by her ability to wrangle artists and kilns alike, all while dreaming up new ways to challenge conventional art education.

 

When Stephanie's not spinning wheels or molding minds, you can find her perfecting her latest masterpiece or plotting her next educational coup. Follow her journey—it's like a claymation movie, but with more puns and fewer claymations.

 

Disclaimer: No professors were permanently scarred in Stephanie's academic endeavors—just slightly shell-shocked and clay-covered.

Artist in Residence

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up your whiskers and get ready to dive into the fantastical universe of Ollie, the furry genius of modern art! With eight years of relentless dedication to his craft, Ollie isn't just a cat—he's a purr-fectionist who turns ordinary objects into meow-sterpieces! His signature style? Deconstructing found objects with the finesse of a cat burglar turned avant-garde sculptor. From discarded yarn balls to crumpled paper masterpieces, Ollie turns everyday items into feline-inspired fantasies faster than you can say "catnip connoisseur." Get ready to be amazed, amused, and maybe a little confused—because true art is just a whisker away!

Studio Support

Ranger McFluffy is more than just a Rough Collie—he's a fashion-forward furball with a flair for team spirit and a love for peekaboo that rivals a professional hide-and-seek champion! When he's not strutting his stuff on the dogwalk, Ranger can be found perfecting the art of the "Nala Stomp" (ask @adventuringwithnala—it's legendary!).

 

Favorite Game: Peekaboo! Because why bark when you can surprise?

 

Superpower: The Nala Stomp—bringing style and sass wherever he goes!

 

Team Player: Ranger McFluffy loves his pack more than chew toys (well, almost as much). Whether it's a game of fetch or coordinating outfits, he's the ultimate collaborator.

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Disclaimer: No collies were overdressed in the making of this bio—just impeccably styled.

We're excited to welcome Ethan Billings to the team! A graduate of Alfred University, New York, where he earned his BFA and MBA, Ethan brings a unique blend of creativity, business savvy, and community leadership to the table.

 

As a professional artist, Ethan has an impressive portfolio that spans Ceramics, Painting, and Video Installation. His works have been featured in multiple solo exhibitions and festivals, including not one but two solo shows — because one wasn't enough to showcase his talent and vision! Whether he's shaping clay or experimenting with multimedia, Ethan’s art is an expression of innovation and storytelling.

 

But there's more to Ethan than just his creative expertise. He’s an Eagle Scout, having earned every badge along the way, a testament to his dedication, leadership, and commitment. His leadership extends beyond scouting, as he’s spearheaded numerous community projects that show his belief in the power of art to bring people together and make a lasting impact.

 

We’re thrilled to have someone as dynamic as Ethan joining us. With his passion for art, leadership, and community engagement, he’s sure to inspire and elevate our team in countless ways!