Meet The Team

at Green & Bisque Clayhouse


Our dedicated staff, technicians, and instructors are committed to fostering a community of ceramic artists and furthering public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of ceramic arts.

We strive to provide a warm and inspiring studio environment as well as quality ceramics education for all skill levels.

Janisse Gracia
Executive Director

  • Janisse, is our executive director, and has a decade of working in the ceramics field. She first experienced clay at Moorpark College in 2011 and received her BA in Ceramics from California State University, Northridge in 2017. Janisse oversees all studio operations, including memberships, class/workshop programming, studio organization and supply ordering, kiln firing and staff scheduling, and private lessons/events. In addition to being our executive director, Janisse is a ceramic artist who specializes in both wheel throwing and hand building - she teaches both at our studio. If you ever have any questions on mason stains or inlay, she’s the one to ask! Fun fact, Janisse can tell you all about your astrological birth chart!

  • Jan

  • Libra, Capricorn, Aquarius

  • Deena

  • Hedgehog

  • janisse@gbclayhouse.com
    instagram: @strawberryprinessonfire

Julia Kuretski
Studio Manager

  • Julia is our studio manager specializing in facilitating studio operations. She first experienced clay in 2010 during a high school class. Julia received her BA in ceramics in 2017 at California State University, Northridge. Julia is an experienced production potter and is highly skilled in wheel-throwing. She also has plenty of teaching experience and teaches wheel-throwing for our session classes. In her own personal work, she enjoys exploring functional forms on the pottery wheel. Fun fact, Julia is a dedicated cat mom to Cheeto and Mango!

  • “Jewelz”
    Regular Julia but with her boobs out

  • Aquarius, Cancer, Cancer

  • Snooki

  • Fluffy kitty!

  • julia@gbclayhouse.com
    instagram: @juliakuretski

Ben Norkin
Inventory & Materials Manager

  • ben@gbclayhouse.com
    instagram: @bennorkinceramics

Mira Lanz
Lead Lab Tech & Social Media Expert

  • Nickname(s):
    MY-ra: the mean one
    Mimi: the chaotic one
    Murmur: the sweet one

  • Gemini, Capricorn, & Libra

  • DJ Pauly D

  • Meerkat

  • mira@gbclayhouse.com
    instagram: @mimi.visi0n

Kim Torres
Lab Technician

  • Lil Kim

  • Pisces, Virgo, Aquarius

  • Angelina

  • Manatee

  • kim@gbclayhouse.com
    instagram: @kimchee_torres

Christian Pineda
Lab Technician

  • DUMMY.

    He’ll throw hands if you call him Curly. So don’t. Or do?

  • Aquarius, Pisces, Leo

  • Ron

  • Polar Bear or Koala

  • christian@gbclayhouse.com
    instagram: @gemik5000

Vince Garcia
Lab Technician

  • Vinny (duh!)

  • vince@gbclayhouse.com
    instagram: @vince.g_ceramics

Nancy Koon
Office Manager

  • Nancy is an Excel master and absolute label wizard! She works at the front desk and is also our trusted “bookkeeper.” She keeps track of how much work gets processed through the studio and also makes sure everything in the store is in-stock. Nancy has spent most of her working years as a bookkeeper, but has always aspired to be a potter. She says,” I really wanted to be a potter. I love clay. I’ve even tried to give it up, three times, but I can’t…it’s what makes me whole! I’ve been back at it for good since 1994.” Catch her legendary laugh when you visit our store!

  • Nance Pants, Fancy Nancy

  • Sagittarius, Cancer, Taurus

  • Uncle Nino

  • Black panther (rawr!)

  • nancy@gbclayhouse.com

Bridgette Mathews
Owner

  • JWOWW

  • Aquarius, Pisces, Leo

  • Ron

  • Otter!

  • bridgette@gbclayhouse.com
    instagram: bbmathews
    626-354-9547

Rachael “Tobeanz” Chan
Intern

  • Toebeanz!
    Beanz!

  • Crocadilly

  • @toebeanzart

Maya Ruiz
Intern

  • Nancy is an Excel master and absolute label wizard! She works at the front desk and is also our trusted “bookkeeper.” She keeps track of how much work gets processed through the studio and also makes sure everything in the store is in-stock. Nancy has spent most of her working years as a bookkeeper, but has always aspired to be a potter. She says,” I really wanted to be a potter. I love clay. I’ve even tried to give it up, three times, but I can’t…it’s what makes me whole! I’ve been back at it for good since 1994.” Catch her legendary laugh when you visit our store!

  • Duck Phone

  • @mayaruizart

Jasmeet Kaur
Lab Technician

  • Gemini

  • Snake

  • jasmeet@gbclayhouse.com
    instagram: jasmeet.studio