About Us
About Clayworks Pottery School
Clayworks Pottery School was built on the belief that clay teaches more than technique — it teaches patience, resilience, and creative confidence. Through six-week immersive sessions, students grow steadily at the wheel and at the table, building skill while learning to trust their hands. We embrace the wonk, celebrate progress over perfection, and create space for beginners and experienced makers alike to feel supported in their process.
Our Mission
To provide structured, nurturing ceramics education that builds technical skill, creative confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the craft.
Our Vision
We envision a studio community where students return session after session — not just to improve their technique, but to develop their artistic voice in a space that values craftsmanship, experimentation, and the beauty of imperfection.
David A. Beattie, Instructor & Owner
Teaches: Intermediate/Advanced Wheel Throwing Classes
His journey into ceramics began by a happy accident when he mistakenly walked into a pottery studio while seeking an escape from a stressful career, instantly connecting with the “malleable wet earth.” Over the past 24 years, his experience has been shaped by a rigorous Leachian apprenticeship that prioritized technical mastery and efficiency, teaching him that “work inspires work.”
He believes we are raised on the shoulders of our mentors and credits his foundation to a lineage of teachers who challenged his perceptions and introduced him to diverse techniques such as wood firing and sculptural communication. Even after a ten-year hiatus, his re-engagement with the medium has been defined by a commitment to lifelong learning through various guilds and studios across the Southwest.
Ultimately, his philosophy is rooted in the belief that true creativity flourishes only after one has put in the hard work necessary to move beyond technique and into the soul of the form.
Mike Bombach
Teaches: Beginner Handbuilding & Sculpture Classes
Mike Bombach, a Marine Corps veteran, is a ceramic artist and educator specializing in hand-built ceramic sculpture. His journey in ceramics began in Minnesota, where he worked alongside fellow Marine Corps veterans using clay as a therapeutic outlet to cope with the symptoms of PTSD. This formative experience shaped both his artistic voice and his belief in the healing power of creative practice.
Mike later moved to El Paso to further his education at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Ceramics and a minor in Sculpture.
He currently teaches Ceramic Sculpture (Hand Building), emphasizing technical craftsmanship, material exploration, and personal narrative. His teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive studio environment where students can develop both skill and self-expression. Drawing from his own background, Mike encourages students to see clay not only as a medium for artistic creation but also as a powerful tool for resilience, reflection, and growth.
Amanda Danielle
Teaches: Beginner Wheel Throwing Classes
Amanda Danielle began throwing on the wheel at just three years old in her family’s pottery studio, where clay first became both a material and a lifelong language. Growing up immersed in the rhythms of the studio instilled in her a deep respect for craftsmanship, discipline, and the transformative power of process. She later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of Texas at El Paso, with a concentration in Graphic Design and a minor in Ceramics, allowing her to approach form with both structural precision and creative intuition.
Amanda is currently continuing her studies through an apprenticeship at Clayworks Pottery Studio under the mentorship of David Beattie, where she is refining traditional techniques while expanding her contemporary voice. As both instructor and lifelong student, she is passionate about helping others build strong foundations in clay. Her teaching philosophy centers on curiosity, technical integrity, and cultivating confidence, believing that true growth in ceramics comes through patience, discipline, and an enduring love of the craft.
Winter a.k.a, Winterbears
Teaches: Patience, Sleep, and Playfulness
Winter serves as Clayworks’ Honorary Studio Pup and unofficial morale officer. She is Amanda’s certified Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD), specializing in PTSD and anxiety response. With a calm, attentive presence, Winter plays an important role in maintaining a grounded and welcoming studio environment. Rarely missing a morning walk or studio session, she quietly observes wheel work, supervises demonstrations, and ensures emotional support is always within reach.
While she does not throw on the wheel (yet), Winter specializes in steady companionship, patience, and unconditional encouragement. Her philosophy is simple: remain present, offer quiet support, and create space for others to feel safe, focused, and inspired in the creative process.
A Spacial Thanks to our Partners, Sponsors, and Patrons
