MARIA SPARSIS
Co-Founder, Board Member, Instructor, Artist
"I love the lore, the history and tradition of clay, and the endless variety of techniques that clay artists have developed, over thousands of years. Consequently, I love to experiment, learn and incorporate varied techniques into my own work. Some experiments and techniques are discarded, others are incorporated into my craft vocabulary, to be refined and reused. My work, often inspired by natural elements, ranges from the functional to the sculptural. And then there’s faces. I love faces. And sometimes, you just have to entertain yourself."
~Maria
Born on the island of Cyprus to a Cypriot father and a British mother, Maria Sparsis has also lived and worked in Wales, Scotland, New England and, for the last 15 years, Florida. A Marine Biologist by training and a scientist by inclination, Maria is a certified diver and has a deep commitment to, and love of, nature in all its forms.
Although Maria still maintains her ties with the world of science and biology, she is currently part owner of "Tea and Chi", a premium loose-leaf tea company. Her love of tea and her collection of teapots was what initially bought her to the world of ceramics.
Much of Maria's artwork is inspired by both her love and knowledge of nature and her sense of humor and fondness for the absurd. Much of her work is functional in nature and often, tea related. Maria has studied ceramics with Sean Clinton, Nancy Blair, Glenda Tailor and Charlie Riggs, Nan Jacobson, Walford Campbell, Fong Choo, Eric Olsen and Ying Zhou.
Maria's work has been exhibited at The Armory, The Sparta Teapot Museum, The Fish House Art House and the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Her work can be seen at Flametree Clay Art Gallery in Vero Beach and Fitch and Fellows Gallery in Oxfordshire. She currently teaches pottery classes at Indian River Clay, Inc.