The Terra Linda Ceramic Artists is a vibrant and diverse community of ceramic artists, working in harmony, exploring together new directions and techniques while developing a personal style.
Many members of the Terra Linda Ceramic Artists win awards, have group and solo shows, and have work displayed locally & nationally in galleries. The TLCA supports local art organizations, with many of its members participating in the yearly Marin Open studios, Marinwood Art & Wine Show, the Marin County Fair, and since 2018 the CCACA in Davis.
The Terra Linda Ceramic Artists program offers adult classes, teen and youth classes, specialty firings such as luster, decal, pit firing, a variety of workshops and, statewide exhibiting opportunities to students enrolled in the program.
Who are we?
Nadia Tarzi-Saccardi
Art Program Director
Nadia Tarzi-Saccardi is an autodidact award winning ceramic artist from Marin County. Originally from Europe, she first studied ceramics and sculpture in Strasbourg, France. Her focus on the history of ceramics lead her to further study and publish on the archaeology of Central Asia, with an emphasis on Buddhist Studies.
For the last 15 years, she has taught ceramics to adults & children in studios across the Bay Area including, Terra Linda Ceramics, the Mill Valley Potter's Studio, and the Walnut Creek Arts Center.
Nadia took on the directorship of the Terra Linda Ceramic studio in 2017. She added a Teen's class, summer camps, five adult classes and additional exhibition opportunities to the program that is now titled the Terra Linda Ceramic Artists.
Her hope is to expand and enrich the program to include all that is needed for members of the community to enjoy a full ceramic experience.
Jo Clarke
Graphic Design and Marketing Director
While at art school, Jo developed a passion for ceramics and was inclined to make that her major. However, fate lead her to follow a career in Graphic Design studying at Harrow College of Art, London. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree (Hons) in Graphic Information Design and has spent the last 25+ years working for leading branding agencies in London, Hong Kong, and San Francisco. Jo rediscovered her love for clay and has since been developing her skills as a ceramic artist and discovering and refining her aesthetic.
Born in the United Kingdom, Jo has lived and worked in Europe, the Asia Pacific, and North America. She currently lives in Mill Valley, CA, with her husband and teenage daughter.
Studio LAB Managers
Some of our Terra Linda Ceramic Artists volunteer as studio managers for the LABS.
Unless otherwise announced, these are held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1-4pm.
Karen Adlman
Gaston-Huey Sara
Woodward Brianna
Summer Camp and Youth Class Assistants
Natasha, Grace and Brooke are TLCA youth class alumni. They all began taking ceramics classes when they were very small and are now sharing their knowledge and passion for ceramics with younger ones, during TLCA summer camps, full circle!
Saccardi Natasha
Younkin Brooke
Kredo Brown Grace
Woodburn Melissa
Melissa Woodburn has been a Youth class assistant at the TLCA for several years. She also helps to jury the Youth Art entries at the Marin County Fair. Melissa is an award wining artist, she shows her work in solo and group shows as well as in private collections.
Susan Hontalas
Susan Hontalas founded the Terra Linda Ceramics in 1993. After many years of teaching and invaluable art community building, Susan decided to retire from teaching and pass the torch on to Nadia in 2017. While Susan now enjoys the sanctuary of her own beautiful home studio, she likes to visit with her peers at the TLCA , and exhibits her works in TLCA and regional shows.