When you look past the form of a functional piece of pottery, what is it that really separates one mug from another, what is it that imparts a bit of the user's personality onto the vessel? It's surface treatment! Just like humans adorn ourselves with various combinations of clothing and jewelry to express our personalities, the surface decorations and finish of a mug are small ways one can add a touch of their own quirkiness to their wares. Join ceramic artist Bryan Treakle to learn the basics of surface decorations by using stencils and transfer decals to personalize handmade coffee mug. Nothing tastes better than when sipped from a cup of your own design!

Bryan Treakle obtained his BFA from Old Dominion University, with a focus in ceramics and metalworking. During his studies at ODU, Bryan was awarded the Daniel E. Frank Memorial Scholarship Endowment for Blacksmithing and Metalwork and the Barbara M. Gorlinsky Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship from the ODU Art Department, and the Lucy C. Morgan Scholarship from Penland School of Craft. Since receiving his degree, Bryan has worked with d’Art Center and 757 Makers Space in Norfolk, VA, teaching ceramics workshops and exploring what it means to be a functioning artist in a COVID world.

2020, ODU; Bachelors of Fine Arts, concentration in Ceramics and Metalsmithing 

2016 - 2019: Studio Assistant for ODU ceramic, metalsmithing, blacksmithing, and letterpress studios.

2018, Second place award in Virginia Beach Art Institute exhibition, "Artist Who Serve"

2018, Penland School of Craft, glass blowing workshop, Studio Assistant

2017, Penland School of Craft, ceramic workshop, Studio Assistant

2016, Penland School of Craft, a bookbinding workshop, Studio Assistant