Ryan Allen McDonald

CERAMIC ARTIST · EDUCATOR · STUDIO TECHNICIAN

Based in the Seattle area, I first encountered clay as a teenager at Green River College under Paul Metivier. After several years working in construction, I returned to the wheel in 2018 at Moshier Art Center. What began as an evening class became a new direction—one that led me to teach, manage studios, and establish Ambivert Ceramics in 2022.

Since returning to clay, I have taught at Pottery Northwest and Rain City Clay, managed Rat City Studios, and completed a year-long apprenticeship with Deb Schwartzkopf supported by a Studio Potter grant. Today, I work as the Ceramics Instructional Lab Technician at Green River College, bringing my journey full circle.

My wheel-thrown functional work explores the relationship between form, surface, and clay through carving, layered slips and glazes, and varied firing processes. My current work also draws on iconography connected to my West and Central African diasporic heritage.

I believe handmade objects can transform routine into ritual—grounding us in our senses and creating moments of connection, stillness, and reflection.