About Suwanee Clayworks
Welcome to Suwanee Clayworks. We are more than just a pottery studio; we are a vibrant hub for creativity, learning, and community in the North Metro area. We are artists, craftspeople, and teachers dedicated to helping you discover the joy of making something real with your own two hands.
Our studio, led by Marissa Hudson, is fully stocked with top-of-the-line pottery supplies and equipment. From our 14 professional wheels to our 20+ custom-made glazes, our space is designed to delight and support potters of all levels. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned artist, we are your creative playground.
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Our Mission & Community
Our Mission & Community
At Suwanee Clayworks, we’re dedicated to transforming lives through nurturing environments that foster self-discovery, endless learning and creativity. We cultivate an artist-centered community, offering outstanding educational and collaborative programs in ceramic arts. Our core values of inclusivity, excellence, integrity and joy are what drive us to nourish the human spirit through the shared experience of creating art!
We take pride in our efforts to build a welcoming, inclusive community where people of every age, race, and gender identity can explore the joy of art. Our studio draws students from throughout Gwinnett County and beyond, including Suwanee, Buford, Duluth, Johns Creek, and Peachtree Corners.
In our studio, we do not tolerate language or behavior that demeans others. We reserve the right to ask people who violate this fundamental principle to take their business elsewhere.
“Clay is universal”
Our Studio & Equipment
Our space is designed to give you everything you need to create at your best. From a wide variety of tools to professional-grade wheels and kilns, our studio supports potters of all levels.
Wheel Throwing
12 Shimpo Lite Pottery Wheels
2 Brent Pottery Wheels
3 Griffin Grips
Throwing sponges, throwing ribs, buckets, round and square bats
Handbuilding
2 Dedicated Handbuilding Tables (fits 8 people)
2 Slab Rollers
Over 100 plaster and plastic molds
Over 200 stamps and stencils
Tools for carving, sculpting, and sgraffito
Decorating
Rotating selection of seasonal glazes in addition to our 20 staple glazes made in-house
20 Mayco Underglazes
11 Colored Slips & Claybody Slip
Red Iron Oxide, Cobalt Oxide, Black Copper Oxide, and Rutile Oxide
We’re proud to have an amazing team of artists at Suwanee Clayworks who are also passionate instructors. Each of our artists is excited to guide new hobbyists and experienced potters further into the joy of pottery and ceramic arts. Each of our team has their own unique blend of specialties, from techniques to to artistic styles.
Meet Team Suwanee Clayworks!
Marissa Hudson
PROGRAM DIRECTOR / THE CLAY DOCTOR
Marissa Hudson, a studio potter based in Duluth, Georgia, earned her BFA in Ceramics from Georgia State University in 2004. Initially introduced to clay in 2000 while pursuing an Art Education Degree, she discovered a deep passion for ceramics. Working at Daven’s Ceramics Center in Atlanta broadened her technical skills and portfolio. Seeking to share her love for clay, Marissa joined Ocee Arts Center as an instructor, where she engaged with a diverse student community. Her pottery embodies simplicity, grace and functionality, influenced by textile patterns from various cultures. Marissa’s current work focuses on creating a series of pots that explore relationships and human interactions. Through her craft, she captures moments in time, creating beautiful, meaningful objects cherished by others. She believes in the value of handmade items and aims to contribute to this philosophy through Suwanee Clayworks.
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Betty Dodd
CLAY INSTRUCTOR
Clay has a way of teaching patience, creativity, and joy; and that’s what Betty looks forward to sharing with every student. Betty has been a ceramic artist for 15 years, a studio assistant for 12 years, and a teacher for 8, guiding beginners and experienced makers alike through wheel-throwing and glazing. She believes that pottery is about more than creating objects; it’s about connecting with the process.
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David Gentry
CLAY INSTRUCTOR
David Gentry is a seasoned Clay Instructor at Suwanee ClayWorks, driven by a lifelong passion for ceramics and by his assistant, Shiner the Dog. His journey began two decades ago when he and Marissa, the Program Director at Suwanee ClayWorks, bonded over their shared love for clay during their schooling. Since then, David’s pursuit of artistic excellence has taken him across the United States, where he has studied under renowned ceramicists, constantly refining his craft. From wheel throwing to handbuilding, sculpture to surface design, and even glaze mixing and gas firing, David’s expertise spans the entire spectrum of ceramic arts. His infectious enthusiasm and positivity infuse the pottery studio, inspiring students and colleagues alike. Beyond ceramics, David indulges in cooking, photography and travel, continually seeking new avenues for creative expression and building lasting connections within the ceramic community nationwide.
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Gabriella King
CLAY INSTRUCTOR / STUDIO TECHNICIAN
Gabriella has been making ceramics for over 20 years now. She has her BA in Studio Art with an emphasis in Ceramics and Photography, and considers herself blessed to work with her teacher, Char Felos, and to have had workshops with Paul Soldner and Glen Grishkoff. She was immersed in the California Ceramic community, and considers it a once in a lifetime experience. Her ceramics have a functional and sculptural aspect to them, and she has been exploring different glazes throughout the years. Despite her experience and expertise, she believes there is always more to learn, and that no matter our age or our situation in life, we never stop learning. Her journey with ceramics is continuing.
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Marisa Prevost
STUDIO ADMINISTRATOR / ASSISTANT CLAY INSTRUCTOR
A Gwinnett County native, Marisa P. discovered her love for clay a couple of years ago when she took a single county class and never looked back. Since then, she’s continued studying under Marissa H. and honed her skills in both the studio and the glaze lab, where her “breaking bad” approach to glaze chemistry has led to some pretty exciting results. With a background in engineering from Rice University and a knack for project management from her time in telecommunications, she’s all about finding balance between structure and creative chaos. When she's not experimenting with color, texture, and structure, you’ll find her running laps around the studio, problem-solving, and embarking on various ADHD-powered “side quests” to keep things flowing. Whether it’s in the lab, the studio, or with fiber arts, she’s always exploring new ways to bring her creative ideas to life.
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Stephen Van Camp
CLAY INSTRUCTOR / KILN WIZARD
Stephen holds a BFA in Pottery and Weaving from the University of Evansville—though he likes to say he really studied "making things." Before diving into the world of clay full-time, he spent 20 years in the security industry and 19 years supporting elections. That background brings a unique level of precision and patience to his studio practice. With over 12 years of experience in pottery and more than a year at Suwannee Clay Works, Stephen currently manages the kilns and keeps the fire (quite literally) burning behind the scenes. Whether he's throwing at the wheel or helping others fine-tune their work, Stephen brings both technical knowledge and a love for the process. Outside the studio, Stephen enjoys woodworking, tie-dye, gardening, and—of course—pottery. He’s always creating something, whether it's in clay, fabric, wood, or soil.
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Welcome, Muddy Buddies
NEW FRIENDS, NEW FACES…
We’re excited to announce that Team SCW is growing! Stay tuned for more information about our newest staff members.
My husband and I went there for a private lesson. It was an amazing experience. Our instructor was so patient with us and kept a positive energy telling us we were doing great when we were getting discouraged. She taught us a lot about the types of clay and how the kiln works and showed us so many different projects. I highly recommend this place.
- Roni S., Google Review
