Melissa has been making pottery since 2007, when she took her first throwing class and immediately fell under the spell of clay. She has a vast knowledge of ceramic materials, processes, and techniques, and is passionate about sharing this knowledge with others.

As an artist, Melissa is obsessed with colour and the layering and sequencing of colours and glazes. She is endlessly fascinated by glaze chemistry and the pools, drips, and cascades of colour that form in the kiln. As a teacher, she encourages experimentation and loves helping her students explore and develop their own creative process. As a queer disabled artist, she is always committed to accessibility and creating a welcoming environment for queer, disabled and neurodivergent students and studio members. When she’s not making pottery, you can find Melissa crocheting, watching Star Trek (TNG and DS9), reading novels, eating pastries, learning ASL, and trying to befriend every cat she sees on the street.