Below you will find details about the instructors at Burnish. This may include teachers who are not in the current session, but whom we expect will be returning for a class soon.
Finley Rick (they/he): Being born and raised in the strong art community of Bellingham, I've always had a love and appreciation for ceramics. I've been doing pottery for 8 years and my main focus is wheel thrown work. I am also the Studio Technician at Burnish!
Hilde Schaaf (she/her): I have my roots deep in the art of pottery. I grew up in an area of Germany where pottery has a long standing tradition and in a family of potters who fueled my early interest in working with clay. My designs are my own unique creations. Early in my professional development I started to make my own brushes, which led me to the brush strokes on much of my work.
Eli Isenhour (he/him) grew up in Everett, WA and completed his BFA in Ceramics and Printmaking at WWU in 2022. He works in a number of mediums and incorporates printmaking techniques, illustration, and fibers in his ceramic work. His passion for art was nurtured by his mother, who is a teacher, and inspired his love of sharing his skills with the youngest members of his community.
Jeremy Noet (he/him): I was exposed to clay in high school and have been unable to stop learning about it for the last 24 years. I love making useful items that I hope will fit into people hands. Megan my partner and boss has found ways for us to make a living from my love of playing with clay. Now with BCS I am hoping to help others find a love with this sometimes frustrating medium!
Kacie Guthrie (she/her): I've been working with clay on and off for the past 20 years as a dedicated hobbyist. Although most of the work I make now is functional pottery, I spent many years focused on handbuilt sculptural ceramics. My background is in experiential education and I've been an educator on tall ships as well as a woodworking school on the Olympic peninsula. Today, my day job is digital design, but working with clay and the community of the studio is what keeps me happy and healthy.
Margaret Rattle (she/her) was born in Southern California and grew up in the Mojave Desert. She completed undergraduate work at Pomona College and University of Washington and received her MFA from Claremont Graduate School. Margaret was Professor of Art at Santa Rosa Junior College and taught at Sonoma State University, Napa College, and Central Oregon Community College. She has an extensive exhibition record and has been visiting artist at various venues in US and Canada. When not in her studio, she can be found somewhere outdoors–hiking, skiing, kayaking or exploring.
Parissa Rad (she/they): I grew up in Vancouver, WA and moved to Bellingham in 2019. I have drawn and painted since a young ahe and began creating ceramic works in 2017, leading me to complete a BFA in ceramics and painting at Western Washington University in 2022. My work reflects on personal and cultural identity while creating modern ties to ancient traditions. I also work as one of the technicians at Burnish and have loved creating connections and fostering creativity within our community.
Sara Young (she/her) is a local artist whose work spans 4 decades. She has been teaching ceramics to both kids and adults since the late 90s, and loves to watch her students gain confidence through skill building in the arts. You can view her work in the gift shop at Cafe Velo in Bellingham, The Lucky Dumpster in Edison, WA, and at the Whatcom County Art Museum gift shop. You can see her work online at Spike of All Trades.