Our Origin Story

Felissa King (she/her) has always loved art, but jumped into 3D work with a BFA in sculpture in 2016.  Post college, she expanded her ceramic practice at community studios through membership prior to co-founding Yellow Door! 

Felissa's work centers around botanicals and her love of gardening through detailed painted and slip-trailed underglaze decoration on functional stoneware pieces. In her free time, you can find her working in the garden, learning to fix things, or puttering around town via unicycle, bicycle, or her blue scooter Daisy! 

Felissa is the 2025-26 Artist in Residence at Mudflat Pottery Studio in Somerville, MA.  While you may not see her around the studio this year, she will likely be fielding any booking questions or administrative needs you might have from afar!

Amanda Pennington (she/her) received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Western Kentucky University in May of 2016. Following graduation, she continued her education through attending workshops in exchange for working as an Educational Assistant at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, as well as assisting at Penland School of Crafts.

Amanda's work is inspired by mid-century modern design with her use of color theory, exposed surface, and line work. When not at the studio, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and their son, watching him delight in the everyday objects we've all grown accustomed to (like a TV remote!).  She also enjoys writing poetry, coloring in coloring books, organizing, and taking naps. 

Danielle is an Indianapolis-dwelling creative who is freshly back on the scene after the wild ride of becoming a mom! Offering experience in hand building and wheelthrowing, Danielle has taught a number of community art classes for children and adults (in Indiana and Arkansas!). You may remember her face from her time creating work and educational videos for AMACO!

In her beginner wheelthrowing class, you can look forward to learning about ceramics as well as your own ability to take on challenges and growth creatively. (Not to mention colorful and bold surface decoration, interesting glaze techniques, and more.)

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Eva studied painting and ceramics at Herron School of Art + Design, earning her BFA in Integrative Studio Practice in 2019. She fell in love with wheel throwing after taking a beginning wheel course on a whim. The way working with clay mirrors the ups and downs of life has always fascinated her. Through life’s many changes and moves, ceramics has remained her happy place—welcoming her back with open arms whenever she needs it. In her free time, Eva is rediscovering the joy of reading and getting to know Indy again after spending the past few years in Houston and Denver.

Bridget Dean (she/her) is an Indiana transplant who draws artistic inspiration from her desert Southwest roots and the raw, rugged terrain and textures found there. Having a background in STEM, she feels connected to the natural world when she can get her hands dirty - whether that’s digging in the garden or playing with clay. Bridget is excited to share her love of ceramics with budding (or experienced) artists.  When she’s not making pots, you can find her in the garden, hanging out with her family, or petting every dog she meets. She currently serves on the Westfield Creative Collective board, bridging the gap between artists and the community in Hamilton County.

Rina has always had a passion for art, trying different mediums and experimenting with them. It wasn’t until high school that she picked up clay and started hand-building. After taking a wheel throwing class in her second year of college, she began delving further into the world of ceramics. Valuing experimentation and exploration, she loves to try out different glazes and techniques in her work!

When she’s not in the studio, she enjoys exploring Indianapolis for new restaurants and stores to try out or snuggling with her cat at home!

Soyong was born and educated in Seoul, Korea.  In college, she knew she had a passion for ceramics but earned a degree in Graphic Design and Photography.

After moving to Indianapolis in 1981, Soyong needed an outlet from working full-time and completing another degree in Computer Science. She found a ceramics class at a local art center, leading to a studio monitor position and eventually instructing ceramics for over 40 years.

Soyong is a grant recipient of the Indiana Arts Council and has shown in galleries locally and nationally. In 2001, she became the Workshop Director of the World Ceramics Exposition and remains a consultant today. 

Her works involve nature and the female body, using sculpted and wheel-thrown elements. She is a gardener, painter, photographer, welder, blacksmith, silversmith, and loves cooking with organic homegrown vegetables and fruits.

Ray White (she/her) has always enjoyed working with her hands, making things and growing plants. Ray has worked as a product designer for 8 years and as a vegetable farmer for 12 years. When she began taking pottery classes in 2020, she absolutely fell in love with the process of throwing on the wheel. Ray primarily creates functional pottery, and finds happiness in bright, colorful designs.

She encourages you to bring your patience, willingness to practice,

and creativity to class, and hopes to see you soon!

Kye graduated from Herron School of Art & Design in 2023 with a focus in ceramics & sculpture. Kye has a lovely at home studio for ceramics and is currently teaching one night classes & private events at Yellow Door, along with working with street outreach at the Damien Center and making public art sculptures at 900 North Studios.

Kye loves repetition art and the obscure, inspired primarily by queer rights and nature within their own work. Kye uses wheel throwing as a base to create sculptural and textured pieces, and they love to hand build. While new within the teaching profession, Kye is motivated and excited to help other creatives learn technique & will always welcome you into their class with a smile. 

Danny graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Creative Writing and Film Studies.  He began as a student with Yellow Door, then transitioned into Membership and his role as the Thursday Open Studio technician.

He loves to play pranks on fellow studio members and staff, most notably hiding a fake rubber rat on shelves, in buckets, and once in the communal microwave.  In 2023, Danny was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor and is taking life one day at a time post surgery. He loves spending time with his wife and daughter, eating pasta, and "short walks" on the beach.  ​

Aspen Grieshaber’s (she/her) path into ceramics stemmed from a desire to create with her hands. As a notably poor 2D artist, ceramics allowed her to discover a talent for crafting 3D forms. Born and raised in Kansas, Aspen has a deep connection with the Earth. She received her Bachelor’s in Sustainability in 2024 and her Master in Public Affairs in 2025 with a goal to shape the future of our planet and lives. Alongside her education, she was able to learn wheel-throwing techniques and explore the connection between her degrees and clay. Today, her work prioritizes function and ergonomics while exploring balanced forms, soft curves, and dreamy glazes. When not in the studio, she’s spending time with good company, cuddling her cat, or reading a good book.

Alex Lewis (he/him) is a visual artist whose ceramic-focused practice explores the relationship between domestic spaces and the objects within them. Through the collection and arrangement of made and found objects he examines patterns of neglect and the environments where possessions are thrown away, forgotten, or stored. Lewis’s work questions the shifting definitions of home and the rise of fast furniture, engaging in a cyclical dialogue between ceramics and our self-designed environment. 

Susan is an exhibiting artist, teacher, and studio tech who loves art, fire, and the magic in everyday things. She has been practicing with paint and clay since she was little, eventually studying ceramics at the Kansas City Art Institute and establishing a compact home ceramic studio (dubbed “Fey Clay Studio,” aka “the garage.”) While raising two amazing kids, she obtained an M.S. in Informatics from IU, and also works as an accessibility professional. 

She loves teaching handbuilding to adults to see them experience the joy of making something with their own brain and hands. Her teaching style emphasizes hands-on learning, open creative experimentation, and supportive instruction. 

Her current work blends a painterly glazing style, sculptural elements, and functionality. Her pieces are sometimes purely conceptual and intended to push back on the state of things, but are often designed as if for fairy homes - covered in swirly glaze, critters, flowers, and carrying a respect for the sacredness of it all. 

When she’s not working, she can be found pointing out squirrels for her dog, moving plants around the yard, making more coffee, and getting distracted by 12 new crafts.

IG: susan.hirsch_clay 

Kalie Holdren is a ceramic artist and instructor based in Indianapolis, IN. She received a BA in Sculpture and Russian from the University of Notre Dame in 2014. She began teaching high school art while attending the University of Indianapolis, graduating in 2017 with a MAT degree. After teaching high school art for 5 years, she has transitioned to teaching ceramics around the city. Her current work focuses on handbuilt sculptures as vessels for sound.

Brooke Rohr is a ceramic artist currently completing the Post-Baccalaureate Ceramics program at Herron School of Art + Design. She previously graduated from Indiana University Bloomington’s Kelley School of Business, where she studied Information Systems and Business Analytics while also pursuing her interest in ceramics. After graduation, she decided to continue developing her studio practice with the goal of eventually pursuing an MFA in Ceramics.
 

Brooke works in both handbuilding and wheel throwing, but especially enjoys handbuilding and experimenting with surface design. Her work often incorporates bright colors, patterns, geometric elements, and imagery inspired by nature. She loves trying new techniques and seeing how small details can completely transform a piece. As an instructor, Brooke is excited to help students become comfortable working with clay, experiment with new ideas, and create pieces they are proud of.

Outside of the studio, Brooke loves playing volleyball and soccer, having game nights with friends and family, and unwinding with a good TV show. She is excited to be part of the Yellow Door community and share her love of ceramics with others!