Allison Sasso
Wheel Throwing and Life Sculpture Instructor
I love working with clay because it gives me permission to get messy in a world that often expects us to stay clean, polished, and digital. There's something deeply grounding about shaping something with your hands—creating a form that’s completely new and undeniably yours. Clay responds to what you do, and to how you do it. It has rules, but they’re honest ones; every choice has a visible consequence. If you don’t listen to what it’s telling you—if you push too far or move too fast—it pushes back. I find comfort and clarity in that kind of relationship. It satisfies the buzzy, restless part of my brain in a way nothing else does.
I came to this studio initially because it offered 24/7 open access, which was essential to the way I work. But I stayed because of the people. I could’ve built my own studio, but I didn’t want to work in isolation. I wanted to be in a space where I could grow, be challenged, and share ideas—where the energy of other artists could help push me forward. Being part of this community not only made me a better maker, it also gave me the chance to give back. Inspiring others and watching students grow is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
As a teacher, I tend to be very methodical and hands-on. I like the structure of ceramics - clay has stages, and certain things can only happen at certain times. I try to help students understand that rhythm, that timing. I’ll often guide them (physically hold their hands if needed), helping them feel what a movement should be like, not just see it. I believe in clarity, but not in perfection. Perfection was never the goal—progress is. If you can do a little better than last time, and make a new mistake instead of repeating the old one, you’re doing great.
More than anything, I want students to see the beauty in what’s handmade and imperfect. A slightly off-center bowl or wobbly rim isn’t a flaw—it’s a signature. It’s proof that something was shaped by real hands, by effort and curiosity and learning. In a community like this one, we get to share those moments of discovery together. And that’s what makes clay so powerful—it’s not just the object you make, it’s the process of making it, and the people you get to do that with.
Instagram | @sassiceramics
Allison’s MUD
