Be a Studio Artist

Sunshine Cobb, (pronouns she/they) As a full-time studio artist living in Helena, MT she specializes in handmade functional pottery. She frequently travels the country as an invited lecturing and demonstrating artist. They are considered an important contemporary functional potter, hailed in both academic and commercial circles, and is consistently featured in art exhibitions throughout the country. With a strong social media following and online media presence, she represents an innovator in online business models in the ever-changing ceramics field and a leading advocate for functional art in modern living. She devotes time and effort into working with artists, seeking mentorship, to develop their practice and art.  She has also authored two books “Mastering Hand Building” and “A Beginners Guide to Hand Building” by Voyager Press. 

Jim Tisnado has an MFA in ceramics from Ohio University, a BFA in ceramics from the University of Iowa, and a BA in Painting from California State University, Chico. He has also taught at Morehead State University, Indiana University, and the Herron School of Art. Tisnado is a potter and ceramic artist that uses clay and other media to create small installations and sculptures. His work uses repetition and multiples to discuss objects in the world, the relationships between father and son, and the human perceptions within immigration.

Rachel Gunsch, owner of Pottery 101 Gallery and Studio, was raised in Salisbury, North Carolina. Her love of clay began at the age of sixteen when she started working at the very gallery she now owns. During those early years, Rachel immersed herself in pottery, taking classes, learning from artists in the gallery, and spending late nights in the studio under the mentorship of Cheryl Goins. Cheryl, the founder and owner of Pottery 101, played an important role in nurturing Rachel’s passion for clay, encouraging her growth as an artist, and providing her opportunities to develop her craft. Rachel went on to graduate from Warren Wilson College with a degree in Art. 

After college, Rachel returned to Salisbury as a full-time artist and owner of SunRay Pottery. Her work centers primarily on functional dinnerware, featuring bright colors and energetic patterns that reflect her vibrant artistic style. As her passion for pottery grew, so did her desire to share the craft with others. Rachel began teaching pottery classes throughout the region, including in Charlotte, Concord, Salisbury, and Winston-Salem, as well as serving as an adjunct professor at Catawba College. 

Eventually, Rachel found herself at a crossroads. She had experienced life as a full-time artist and as a full-time teacher, and while she loved both, neither path provided the balance she was looking for. As she considered pursuing a master’s degree in ceramics, Cheryl was preparing to retire and offered Rachel the opportunity to purchase Pottery 101. 

For Rachel, the opportunity brought her journey with Cheryl and Pottery 101 full circle. The place where she had first discovered her love of clay, developed her skills, and found a mentor could now become the place where she built her own future. Owning Pottery 101 would allow Rachel to teach, fill the gallery with her own work, support fellow artists, and contribute to the community that had shaped her. 

Today, community remains at the heart of Pottery 101. Rachel strives to make the studio and gallery a welcoming place for everyone—from those who simply admire pottery and are curious to meet the artists, to beginners discovering the joy of working with clay, to experienced artists pursuing their creative dreams. Through Pottery 101, Rachel has found a way to bring together the two things she loves most: creating art and sharing it with others.