Cascade – A flowing state where information, experiences, knowledge, community welcomeness are continually passed on.

Ceramics – Created in clay and hardened with heat. Ceramics as a plural, referencing the medley of work made within a community.

Studio – A room where artists work and practice.

With a stream of creativity in clay and community sharing wisdom of experiences continually flowing amongst our community, Cascade Ceramics Studio is the realization of a dream by founders Jazzy and Kathy Zawideh.

The daily studio flow may vary as members come in, we watch the flow of the studio pick up and slow down throughout class sessions, meanwhile the warm, tranquil and overall uplifting energy of the studio remains steady, with thanks to the lovely creative community that has blossomed here at Cascade in little ol’ downtown Tigard.

Making pottery is enchanting and very healing. From the whole team working at Cascade, we are delighted to get to experience this with you.

We thank you for taking the time to read a bit about our story, and thank you for your support as we keep dreaming about creating pottery & and creating community. We hope to see you join us in person very soon. :) <3

Meet our dear resident artist, Lily Williams! IG: @Forest_Floor_Pottery

Lily is a excellently well rounded ceramic artist, and specializes in teaching many types of pottery wheel and handbuilding class, even sometimes classes that combine both! Lily has been instructing a great variety of clay classes and fostering a supportive and accommodating creative environment her students adore her for, since we opened in 2022!

Lily’s students would tell you they appreciate her calm & supportive attitude and her creative suggestions on how to work almost anything into something they feel proud to have made! :) Outside of the studio you will find Lily out foraging in the misty woods with her rescued huskey, Mocha. Some of our favorite classes Lily has instructed here include handbuilt Fairy houses, Water Etching, Pumpkin Jars, Charcuterie Dishes, and Throwing with Coils.

See Lily’s work in the Charlie Cummings Gallery

From Lily: Before coming to the studio I worked at Georgies Ceramics and Clay, the local clay supply store. That was my first job in Portland after moving in 2021 from the Puget Sound area in Washington, where I was making pots in an apprenticeship with a Washington potter and working with my dad in his carpentry business.
My own studio practice is centered around creating functional wood fired pottery with throwing and handbuilding techniques. I’ve been making pots and wood firing for six years, and I’m currently a crew leader at East Creek Art in Willamina, OR, where I fire alongside the growing community of woodfire artists in the Portland area.
When not working with clay, I love to be outside in nature with my dog, Mocha, and partner Megan. Let’s talk about plants and rocks and make some funky ceramics!

II

Instagram: @Pilkington_Pottery

Meet Eli, ceramic material chemist and unanimously voted our sweetheart within the pottery world!

Eli has been studying everything clay since he was introduced to it in 2012. They began instructing beginners to advanced potters just a few years into his clay journey. During class Eli provides interactive demonstrations, meanwhile telling stories of working with legendary pottery old-timers and deep dive discussion into just about any ceramic chemistry question one can come up with!

Eli works formulating clay and glazes at Georgie’s Ceramic in Portland, and spends their time outside of work with their dog Drea, researching more about pottery, or playing D&D. Once a year during the last weekend in April, you can find Eli at the OPA Ceramics Showcase & Sale at the Oregon Convention Center with a booth selling their overwhelmingly beautiful and technically skilled & unique work.

Eli is a truly gem of a human and wealth of knowledge, we are incredibly honored to provide instructing classes as an avenue for them share their knowledge with our creative and curious community!

From Eli:
Hello, my name is Elijah Pilkington and I specialize in functional wheel-thrown pottery. I started my journey with clay back in 2012 and have been enamored with the process ever since. My primary work revolves around my investigation of texture for surface variation and utilizes several different forms of atmospheric firing to finish my work. Along with teaching I work at Georgie’s Ceramic and Clay as their Assistant Clay and Glaze Chemist. Hope to see you in the studio soon!

Instagram: @DwaynesPots

Dwayne works as a pottery instructor and mainly spends his time creating pottery which takes influence from the various forms and colors of the natural scenery of the world, gem-colored lakes and snow-capped mountains peaks. Dwayne’s pottery is well known for more than just how its beautiful look, each piece he creates is thoughtfully crafted to have the most comfortable experience by its user; The perfectly angled lip of a mug, a handle that makes a full cup of coffee feel weightless against your hand, and of course the velvety smooth finish on the bottom of each piece.

Dwayne’s teaching style is accommodating to each students individual needs, and great for learning to train your eye to see in what areas you can further develop your work or improve it. Dwayne is kind, calm and thorough and wont fail to share a laugh with you at least a few times per meeting.

When Dwayne is not making pottery you can find him surfing on the Oregon coast or planning for his next backpacking trip. On most adventures his gorgeous black german shepard, Shino is coming along with! Shino’s name stands for carbon trapped Shino, the effect when using this particular ‘carbon trapping’ glaze in an atmospheric kiln can capture deep grey-black tones on the wares. :)

Get to know Dwayne… A short 2 minute video – Watch Dwayne at the Wood Kiln  & Read more from Dwayne himself, and about his experience, education and achievements: www.DwayneSackey.com

Instagram: @Jazzy_Pottery

Jazzy had been instructing pottery since we opened the studio in 2022. Jazzy’s teaching style is accommodating and supportive of each students individual process. Some of us are just here to feel the clay and play, while others have specific goals and skills they would like to develop. Jazzy is mindful to check in about your personal goals for the day and overall class and offer a range of support from personalized or step by step instructions, to just to give you space to play!

Outside of the studio you can find Jazzy mountain biking in the muddy woods, exploring art markets and seasonal & cultural events around Portland, and occasionally enjoying live music at a small music venue the Mcmenamins Crystal Ballroom which is a favorite of hers because of the chandeliers, paintings and the feeling of that bouncy wooden dance floor.

From Jazzy:

Hello humans! I’m Jazzy(she/her). I fell in love with the process of working with clay in when I started in 2013.

I have very fond memories of the ceramics room being a very healing and happy place, amidst the seemingly constant chaos of.. well being a human! Once I discovered for myself the peaceful magic of creating with clay I dreamed there would be a way to share this feeling with everyone.

Flash forward 12 years.. today I own Cascade with my mom Kathy, I am incredibly grateful and very proud to share Cascade Ceramics Studio with our community as it represents a space where we all get to do something nice for ourselves by slowing down for a bit, heal ourselves and our inner child as we play with clay.

I love how working in the pottery world reminds me of how we are all connected and rely on each other, the tangible evidence our work will pay off over time, and the many moments for reflection and overcoming personal challenges it can offer. I am especially appreciative for the times pottery steered me onto a better path by keeping me occupied with something constructive, and with less time to think about getting into some trouble. ;)

I love to make tiny pots and recently I am experimenting with marbling brown clays, and using various methods to apply underglaze to share stories about my families Palestinian heritage.

Stacey’s Instructor Bio coming verryy soon! :)

Stacey is currently a member at Cascade Ceramics. We are delighted by Stacey’s constant flow of new creations with a mixture of elegant forms and whimsical decorations. Stacey is known at the studio as a member go to for who to talk to when you need well informed pottery advice, or just to have chat about.. literally anything!

In her free time Stacey dabbles in many crafts including making her own hand bound sketch books. She absolutely adores dogs and has a couple of her own. Pictured above is one of her pups!

A very detail oriented and thoughtful potter, and a great friend. We are so happy to have Stacey at the studio and joining the Cascade instructor team!

Instagram:

Instagram: @EmilyGrizzly

Emily’s Instructor Bio coming verryy soon! :)

Emily works as a ceramic artist, curently making mainly functional wares auch as her signature sgraffito salmon mug. Emily makes work inspired by real life, sometimes a water etched hot dog design or real life relatable quotes . Emily has experience instructing pottery wheel and handbuiling classes for adults and classes of children. With experience working in and instructing many pottery techniques Emily will be able to offer great support to beginner students, and insightful tips for those hoping to eventually create sale-worthy work. Emily’s is aware that when learning something new, we may all understand things differently, so she will make sure to try to find the right explanation for each student to help them in their personal process. Whatever your personal goals are, Emily will put you at ease as you navigate working with clay together.

Emily is an active OPA member, participating in many of their markets year round, other pop up art markets, and during the summer you can find Emily vending at Last Thursday on Alberta. Talk to Emily about your favorite Portland parks and what you’ve been drawing lately in your sketch book!

Get to know Emily here:  emilygrizzly.com

Instagram: @Max_Acoba

Hey! I’m Max and am thrilled to be apart of the team here at Cascade Ceramics. I’ve been doing pottery for 3 years and working and teaching here since 2022. In addition to teaching classes and workshops, I formulate the glazes, handle reclaim and load the studio’s electric kilns.

I recently worked for a production potter in eastern europe where I dove into glaze making, wholesale pottery, and a whole new throwing style.

Take a class with me and I can promise you’ll get your hands (and apron) dirty on the first lesson, where I’ll show my methods and reasoning for how I throw on the wheel.

Outside of pottery, I love to cook, fly fish, exercise and spend time with my family. I enjoy throwing functional kitchen and dinnerware. There’s nothing like taking something you’ve worked on for weeks and giving it away to someone who will you use it everyday.

I love it here at Cascade and know you will too!