About Us
Kollektiv Clay Studio is an Oakland woman-owned community ceramic studio, offering classes, memberships, workshops, and private events. We are committed to working towards community and environmental sustainability, forming connection to the people and land around us, and providing a safe and inclusive space.
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Core Values
kollektiv / collective
done by people acting as a group
ENVIRONMENT
COMMUNITY
We are dedicated to bring awareness to the environmental impact of the ceramic process and introduce more sustainable practices in the following ways:
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Offering locally sourced clay bodies
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Main sinks on a water recycling system
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Prioritizing supporting local suppliers
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Clay + glaze recycled and reused
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Use of local found materials is encouraged
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Cultivating a studio culture centered around reducing waste
We believe in fostering an inclusive space that actively makes clay more accessible for the Oakland community. Our long-term commitments include:
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Scholarships with priority given to the BIPOC community
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Sliding scale workshops
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Participation in community events
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Partnerships + fundraisers in support of non-profits and community groups
Who we are
Owner ~ she/her
Gina Johnson - Geiger
Born and raised in Oakland, Gina is excited to be creating a community centered around clay in her hometown. She fell in love with pottery in 2016 at San Francisco State University, where she received her BA in Studio Art. She has since dove into the world of wild foraged clay forming connection to place and time. Gina strives to pass along this passion, as well as her commitment to seeking out sustainable practices.
Co-Founder ~ he/him
Robert Geiger
Originally from Germany, Robert is the inspiration behind our German spelled name, Kollektiv. Robert loves getting his hands in clay and has loved learning about all things pottery in his free time. Currently working as a Landscape Designer, he has enjoyed designing our studio and watching it come to life. A man of many trades, he's guaranteed and determined to fix almost anything!
Instructor ~ she/her
Jennifer Álvarez
Jennifer is a Mexican-American ceramicist and visual artist born in the port-town of Wilmington, California. Her artwork is informed by her experience of life on the coast, her earth sciences career, and the cultural traditions of her family. She has been making pottery since she was 13, when she dug some clay from a hillside and made small, crude dishes. Jennifer then took every opportunity to learn more, taking classes in high school and summer classes in between. She enjoys combining wheel thrown and hand built elements and likes to showcase the beauty of raw, and especially wild, clay.
Instructor ~ she/her
Sophia Hernandez
Sophia Alexandra is an interdisciplinary artist currently working and living in the Bay Area. While taking her first ceramics class at Pasadena City College, she quickly fell in love with the medium and went on to pursue her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley. The wheel thrown ceramic forms she makes are guided by simplicity and the intimacy of ritual which can be present in the person-object relation. The hand built ceramic projects are an opaque expression of emotion. As she continues to explore the inexhaustible possibilities of clay, she hopes to encourage others to explore in a state of play, through the sharing of knowledge and skills.
Instructor ~ he/him
Ryan McCullen
Ryan is originally from Maryland but has lived in the Bay Area since 2012. He holds a B.F.A. in Ceramics and Printmaking from Frostburg State University and has worked in ceramics since 2007, both in production pottery and education. He is always excited to share knowledge and talk about even the most obscure ceramics techniques! When it comes to teaching, Ryan emphasizes practice and patience while trying out new skills and ideas.
Instructor ~ she/her
Elani Gitterman
Elani is a multidisciplinary artist from the Bay Area. Her art explores tenderness, playfulness, queerness, and vulnerability. Her art background was originally in painting and drawing, which she brings into her ceramic work with expressive and colorful surface design. Working in both wheel throwing and hand building, she found herself drawn to ceramics because of the grounding experience of touching clay, as well as it being a medium that encourages constant trial and error. As a teacher her goal is to create a space for students to try new things without judgement!
Instructor ~ any/all
Kelsey Waldron
Kelsey is a multidisciplinary artist born in Newport Beach, CA. Kels lives and works in Oakland making ceramics, paintings, and neon lights. Kelsey’s work often explores themes of heaven/hell and the meaning of life. Kelsey’s clay journey began in 2019, and Kels quickly fell in love with creating functional art that occupies the space between fine art and everyday objects. As a teacher, Kelsey is encouraging and positive and loves seeing students grow their skills over time.
Instructor ~ she/her
Leslie Lopez
Leslie is a Mexican-American artist based in the San Francisco bay area. She takes inspiration from her heritage and the immigrant roots of her family to create work that involves explorations of the self. As a First-Generation Chicana, Leslie takes inspiration from both the joys and the struggles of her identity and reflects it in her work. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University East Bay.
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Instructor ~ she/her
Tovah Cook
Tovah Cook brings over 9 years of pottery experience to the table. Her journey in ceramics began as a form of art therapy and a new creative outlet. Her background in architecture and graphic design, combined with the influence of her community and culture, has shaped her artistic roots. She takes pleasure in exploring ancient pottery methods, such as firing techniques, clay fiber weavings, and the chemical reactions of glazing. Her love for pottery is evident when she travels, participating in international ceramics classes to learn about different cultural approaches and techniques to pottery. As a clay instructor, she is excited to share her passion for ceramics, build community, and create fun and engaging learning experiences at Kollektiv. When not working with clay, she can be found reading a good book, oil painting, roller skating, or participating in social impact initiatives in her community.
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Instructor ~ they/them
Elise Riegelsberger
Elise has been practicing pottery since 2016, ultimately pursuing an Art Education degree with a focus in ceramics at Cal Poly Humboldt. They love exploring alternative firing techniques, which they believe lets the raw, organic beauty of ceramics shine. They enjoy crafting vases and functional ware, though they remain inspired by the innovative creations of their sculptural and handbuilt peers and students. Elise views clay as a tool for fostering unity and creativity, and through clay they aim to create spaces where individuals can connect, collaborate and be curious together. As an instructor they are dedicated to sharing their enthusiasm and expertise, inviting everyone to explore and refine their craft.