Meet Your Instructors!
The Smithy Clay Studio has an awesome team of instructors who can't wait to share with you their knowledge and enthusiasm for ceramics!
Kyle Pumilio
Clay Studio Manager & Instructor
Originally from Upstate New York, Adam received his BFA in ceramics from The School for American Crafts at R.I.T. and his MFA in ceramics from Ohio University. His current work explores our emotional connection to objects through functional pottery. Check out his website!
Ann Geiger
Gallery Manager & Clay Instructor
Ann has been an artist her entire life, beginning art classes at Carnegie Mellon when she was in second grade. Ann attended St. Lawrence and graduated from Elmira College with a BA in Studio Art. She produces hand-built ceramic pieces and teaches classes and workshops in hand building. The work she does allows her to combine her love of ceramics, drawing and painting.
Karla Andela
Clay Instructor
Karla Andela is a local potter and teacher having grown up in Richfield Springs, NY. She has her Bachelors Degree from Calvin College in Art Education with an emphasis in Ceramics and a minor in Music. Karla worked in the Calvin Ceramics Department as the Studio Assistant and honed her throwing skills on the pottery wheel.
Justin Mastrangelo
Clay Instructor + Studio Assistant
Justin is an apprentice potter at the Clinton Pottery, an adjunct professor of art, and a community educator of ceramics and printmaking. With BFA and MA degrees in graphic design from SUNY Oswego, he began pursuing a life in ceramics in 2015 after wood firing his first wares at Salem Art Works. Justin enjoys sharing his experience creating production pottery and his passions for art, design, and printmaking.
Amelia Lee
Clay Instructor + Studio Assistant
Amelia Lee grew up in upstate New York and received a BA in Studio Art and Philosophy at SUNY Oneonta. She is currently expanding her knowledge of ceramics and finding her own style on the pottery wheel through natural shapes and carvings on her pots. She loves learning both as a student and a teacher.
Kris Gildenblatt
Clay Instructor
After moving to Cooperstown in 2011, Kris began her journey into the creative world of pottery at The Smithy. Her background as an RN, fosters her particular interest in the therapeutic and healing dimensions of working with clay and provides unique impetus and focus to her method of instruction. Having learned and incorporated a variety of techniques from local and internationally acclaimed potters alike, she draws her inspiration from nature, textiles, sewing, music, and the healing arts.
Eileen Anania
Clay Instructor
A Cooperstown resident for over 25 years, Eileen holds a BA in secondary education from SUNY Albany as well as a JD from New York Law School. A fixture at the clay studio for many years, she enjoys sharing her passion for throwing with students of all ages and ability. Eileen revels in creating functional pottery and playing with glazes and firing time/temperature to create unique finishes.