While we were throwing in our studio / storefront (Maek Ceramics xoxo) countless folks would come in asking if we had any space for others to work, and so Maek Friends was born, a studio both physically and conceptually built around community crafting. Since we first opened our doors in Ocean Beach in 2022, the community has welcomed us with open arms. In the spirit of reciprocity, we do everything we can to serve and learn from our community members.
While our staff is always more than happy to take care of studio operations or offer advice, it is our members who truly define our studio experience. The only real common denominator in the studio is pottery, and so it has become a space where you will pot alongside a vibrant array of individuals. There are only two rules: respect the studio and respect each other. By empowering members to help create culture and community, we have managed to grow a wonderful little collective that is as loving towards the space and one another as they are invested in the process itself–fortunately for us pottery seems to attract (or make?) lovely people.
– Ryan + Michaela
michaela is one of the creators and caretakers of maek friends. with a forever love of all things moldable, far too much determination, and a passion for other peoples hobbies, she and her partner, ryan, dreamt up maek friends. her clay journey started as an accident in college and quickly morphed into a dusty path forward.
ryan is one of the creators of and top ideator at maek friends. If you can’t tell by the glasses, he likes to make big weird stuff, has a shocking amount of hobbies, and is the biggest cheerleader of people following their dreams. ryan messed around with clay in high school and fell in love with clay (and michaela) in college.
hap created and manages all things tech. he is a big music nerd with a deep love for software, and he is probably beating you at online chess right now. hap started his ceramic journey here at Maek Friends!
holly is the wonderful studio operator of Maek. She is the hardest worker around and genuinely loves a good system. after finishing a bachelor ceramics degree at sdsu, holly came on board to help run the studio and maek friends couldn’t be what it is without her! if she’s not in the studio working or potting for fun, you might find her flying low above the lake with a pair of waterskis on.
mike is one of the studio technicians at maek friends! mike takes care of the people and things around him. a talented hand-builder as well as wheel thrower, his pots are somehow both experimental and reserved much like one of his favorite pastimes: bonsai.
walker is one of the studio technicians at maek friends! He is a gentle soul, a patient teacher, and has lots of hidden talents. he approaches people and ceramics with a wonderful curiosity, creating welcoming spaces wherever he goes. it wouldn’t be shocking to find Walker watering someone’s else’s plants.
Marina is a studio tech in the Encinitas studio! She is skilled at both wheel and handbuilding, her passion for sculpture truly ignited after taking a course in Italy while completing her Art degree from UCSD. If Marina's not working with clay, you'll find her studying for her masters in teaching or painting... or both!
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