Denver Ceramic Studio: Find Your Center
MY STORY & PHILOSOPHY
Over the past 18 years, I have dedicated myself to teaching children the art of ceramics and sculpture. Through hands-on projects and creative exploration, I have witnessed the transformative power of art in shaping young minds and fostering a love for artistic expression. Having moved to Denver, I am overwhelmed by the beauty around me and left public education to pursue my personal artistic endeavors. I am excited to continue sharing my passion for art with others in this new chapter of my life. The vibrant art scene in Denver has already inspired me to create new pieces and push the boundaries of my own creativity.
My experiments with textures and techniques have led to some truly unique and dynamic pieces that I can't wait to showcase in upcoming exhibitions. I am also looking forward to connecting with other local artists and collaborating on projects that will further enrich my artistic journey. The supportive community here in Denver has already been a source of inspiration and encouragement for me to continue growing as an artist.
2025 will be my fifth, and hopefully final, year of my PhD from the University of North Texas, researching ideation strategies for artists working in collaborative environments. My research aims to provide practical tools and insights for artists seeking to enhance their creative processes within a group setting. I am excited to see how my findings can contribute to the broader artistic community and potentially revolutionize the way collaborative projects are approached in the future.
Meet The Team
Stephanie Shaffer
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.
Cole Zimmerman
TicTok
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Meet Cole, our ceramics wizard!
Cole began his clay-slinging career 10 years ago as a high school student, proving early on that getting your hands dirty could actually be art. He went on to earn his BFA from MSU, where his thesis explored how fishing communities use technology to increase efficiency: a fancy way of saying “How to catch more fish with fewer soggy boots.”
With a natural talent for the wheel and a genuine love of working with clay, he brings skill, humor, and an easygoing energy to the studio. Whether helping a beginner center their first ball of clay or refining more advanced throwing techniques, his goal is to make pottery approachable, fun, and rewarding.
When he’s not covered in clay, you’ll find him experimenting at the wheel, developing his own work, and helping create the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes Denver Ceramic Studio feel like a place you actually want to hang out.
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Mochi
Head of Security
Meet the most senior member of the Denver Ceramic Studio Security Team.
For eight years, she has fearlessly protected the studio from its greatest threats:
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Unauthorized bugs
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Suspicious boxes
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Customers who refuse to admire her
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Plants that have moved approximately ¼ inch
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Other cats who have absolutely no business being here
Her security strategy is simple: find the warmest possible location and remain there until further notice.
She has personally inspected every kiln, shelf, box, and unattended piece of clay in the building. Her methods are unconventional, her attendance is impeccable, and her employee reviews remain mysteriously unavailable.
Eight years on the job. No vacation. No benefits. No regrets.
She doesn't make the rules.
She sits on them.
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Olie
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!