Studio Director & Instructor (he/him)
The therapeutic effect of the magical bond between clay and potter never ceases to fascinate Mario Ruy. Born in Mexico City, Mario became a ceramist by attending the Taller Experimental de Ceramica de Coyoacan to study with master ceramist Alberto Diaz de Cossio. He learned on a wheel that uses leg strength, just as early pottery turners did.
Based in Montreal since 2018, Mario has become a full-time ceramist. Director of Atelier Cône10, he creates his own works and shares his passion by giving courses for all levels. Mario continues his research into glazes, not only for his own works, but also to help the artistic community diversify the variety of possible colors and textures.
His works are generally made with clay and high-temperature glazes (cone 10) to create unique effects that only temperatures above 1285 ˚C can produce. Previously a professional dancer, Mario has transferred his artistic skills and teaching methods to pottery: now he dances with his hands!

Instructor & Technician (he/him)
Jeff Mann is a multidisciplinary artist who draws on his background in the visual arts to develop his work with clay. Interested in the joy of natural materials, conscious repetition and craft as embodied practice, his work with clay ranges from video animation to sculpture to functional objects.
Jeff is interested in the intersection between available means of realization and the natural world. He sees the ancient relationship between the human body and clay as an important means of opening up to the world and anchoring himself in an age disconnected from nature. Some of his greatest joys in life come from passing on the craft and helping others in their creative endeavours.

Instructor (they/she)
Tara Dougans is Tiohtià:ke / Montreal-based artist whose sculpture and facilitation work considers silent-level sensing through touch. Drawing from a both visual and contemplative arts background, supported by a strong somatic focus, they are interested in clay's capacity to create non-linear opportunities for process, play, body awareness and collective listening. Form forming form – a convergence of poetry and physicality.

Instructor & Studio Facilitator (she/they)
Sarah is a multidisciplinary artist who fell in love with the embodied practices of ceramics. Her work focuses on emotional and physical communication, meditating on the embodied experiences of completed forms during the processes of creation. Trained as a production potter, Sarah has worked with artists and studios in Montréal, Calgary and Vancouver, to refine their artistic vision and help achieve the creation of large bodies of work. Enmeshed with their artistic practice are studies in the field of Counselling Psychology, investigating and creating space to support facilitators of culturally appropriate arts-based mental health interventions.

Instructor & Technician (she/her)
Originally from Ithaca New York, Sophia started her pottery journey at Atelier Cone 10 as a student. Her interest in pottery surrounds the endless opportunities for play. Fascinated by clay as a medium infinitely recyclable, she hopes to encourage her students to soften towards themselves with levity in trial and error. In her own work, she brings together functional rounded forms, adding a sense of whimsy into the items that make up an essential part of our daily rituals.

Our Team