About Us
Meet the Founder
Greg Johnson, founder of East Valley Pottery, has been working with clay since 1999 and brings nearly three decades of ceramics experience to you.
His journey began in high school when he took his first ceramics class and was instantly hooked. What started as an early passion quickly grew into a wholehearted pursuit of the craft through high school, college, professional production, and eventually graduate school, where he earned his master’s in teaching. Greg’s work has been featured in the finest galleries and collected internationally.
Greg later went on to build and lead a high school ceramics program in the Pacific Northwest that grew into one of the largest and most in-demand programs of its kind. Over the course of his teaching career, he has taught more than 6,000 students and helped aspiring artists of all ages discover a passion and gift they had within.
At the heart of Greg’s teaching is a genuine love for encouraging others. He is known for his patience, his ability to make the creative process approachable where failure is re framed as a stepping stone to success. Whether you are a beginner or have been practicing for a decade, your guaranteed to get immense value from learning from him. Greg loves unlocking your creative confidence and revealing what is possible.
For Greg, ceramics is a process of growth, discovery, and joy. He is honored to share that process through East Valley Pottery and looks forward to creating with you. Let make something!
About East Valley Pottery
At East Valley Pottery, we believe that every human has immense value. Each person is created with a purpose and the capacity to do something great with their life. We operate to nurture that belief through the creative process.
Founded and led by Greg Johnson, Head Ceramic Instructor with 28 years of experience in ceramics and more than 6,000 students taught. Greg holds a Master of Arts in Teaching and degrees in Business and Art, and spent 14 years teaching in secondary education and ran a program serving over 200 students at a time. Now he is stepping out to re-create a similar program outside the confines of public education. We believe part of discovering who you are is having the courage to try new things.
We aim to use the God given fruits of love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, and humility in what we do. We believe children have a special place and deserve to be guided in a way that nurtures their unique gifting, not to be forced into a mold. We know every person needs more hope, patience, and encouragement.
Creating is innate in each of us. Like any muscle, creativity can either be developed or allowed to atrophy. Many of us had the creativity suppressed out of us a young age, but I assure it is still there. When we use it, when we make, shape, and problem-solve we unlock something within. We start to ask ourselves, WHAT IF.
Clay is the perfect teacher. It demands discipline, resilience, and humility. It allows us to fail safely and transform something as simple as mud into something useful and beautiful. In doing so we learn VALUE is created through Mastery + Ideas + Action.
The East Valley is in a creative deficit. Lets stop simply consuming and together build something great. We hope to transform the East Valley one person at a time. Join us in this adventure. We hope operate as the hub of creativity for the area. With the end goal to operate a 5k+ sqft art studio, gallery, and cafe where you can have a coffee out of a local handmade mug.
East Valley Pottery 5 Year Goal
Small Classes > Small Community Studio > Larger or Second Studio > Gallery > Art Center with Studio, Gallery and Cafe
“OUr end Goal is to create the creative hub for the East Valley.”
Greg Johnson
Future Studio Rendering