Pottery Northwest

Overview
As Communications Director for Pottery Northwest—the largest nonprofit ceramic studio in the Pacific Northwest—I led all studio-wide messaging, content strategy, and public-facing communication during a period of high community engagement and rapid program growth. The organization was known for its quirky, inventive artist community, and my role was to translate that spirit into clear, compelling storytelling that resonated with both local audiences and national ceramic artists.

Role & Responsibilities
I managed the full communications ecosystem for the organization, including monthly exhibitions, annual fundraisers, community events, and a nationally recognized ceramics competition. This required a combination of creative direction, consistent brand voice, and strong operational coordination across multiple departments.

My leadership included:

• Directing all announcements and brand communications for exhibitions, events, workshops, and competitions
• Collaborating with studio leadership, instructors, artists, and event organizers to align messaging and timelines
• Developing and executing content strategies across email, print, web, and social media
• Managing all promotional assets: newsletters, rack cards, flyers, posters, web banners, and social campaigns
• Creating a communication cadence that balanced artistic storytelling with audience growth and operational clarity

Strategic Approach
Seattle’s creative community is highly engaged but also highly discerning. I positioned Pottery Northwest as both culturally rich and accessible by shaping communications that highlighted:

• The uniqueness of each monthly show
• The talent and personality of resident artists
• The inclusive nature of our workshops and community programs
• The prestige of our national ceramics competition
• The eclectic events that made the studio special—Raku firings, traditional Chinese green tea ceremonies, and seasonal showcases

This approach helped build a strong, recognizable brand presence rooted in authenticity and artistic curiosity.

Impact
Through consistent, thoughtful communication and tightly organized content workflows, Pottery Northwest saw measurable success across programs:

1. Sold-Out Classes
   Beginner wheel classes sold out the same day registration opened, often filling waitlists immediately due to clear messaging and high demand.
2. Strong Community Attendance
   Monthly exhibitions drew enthusiastic crowds of artists, collectors, and community supporters.
3. National Visibility
   The annual ceramics competition continued to grow in reach and prestige, supported by targeted communications and a polished promotional package.
4. Streamlined Marketing Operations
   My leadership created a dependable, organized content pipeline—emails delivered on schedule, social campaigns tied to programming calendars, and print materials designed cohesively and professionally.
5. Stronger Brand Identity
   By aligning storytelling, visual assets, and event promotion, I helped reinforce Pottery Northwest as a cultural leader in the region.

Summary
This role showcased my ability to lead communications at scale—balancing creativity with structure, brand personality with clarity, and a fast-moving programming schedule with organized, dependable delivery. It strengthened my skills in content creation, leadership, community engagement, and end-to-end communication strategy across multiple platforms and audiences.

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