Jack Balfour | Studio Owner and Teacher

Jack Balfour is a potter and teacher from North Melbourne, Victoria whose work is defined by controlled curvature, chattered patterns, and glazes made with rare earth oxides.

In 2019 Jack completed an industrial design honours thesis at Monash University on the subject of circular economies and reclaiming ceramic waste to produce functional objects. He currently works as a potter, studio manager and a sessional lecturer in the field of ceramic design and materials.

Jack is the founder of Neo Ceramics.

Anne Sherman | Teacher

Anne Sherman is a potter and teacher at Neo Ceramics with over 20 years of experience as a multi-disciplinary teacher and facilitator.

Anne was introduced to clay in primary school. Ever since, she has maintained an active ceramics practice as a result of the generosity of other ceramicists and the privilege to access specialised education. Anne studied ceramics at the School for the American Crafts and worked as a production potter and studio assistant in multiple studios in the US. The US ceramics community is a continuing source of inspiration for Anne, who moved to Melbourne in 2019.

Kevin Boyd | Teacher

Kevin Boyd is a potter and teacher from Surrey Hills, Victoria, with over 40 years of experience in studio practice and teaching ceramics.

Kevin studied ceramics at Bendigo College of Advanced Education in 1975. Kevin has taught various wheel throwing and glazing courses at TAFE, secondary schools and studios in Melbourne.

Kevin is well known for both his raku and surfaces fired with layers of oxide rich slips that react with glazes and firing processes. The tones and textures of the Australian landscape are a major influence in Kevin’s work.

Elnaz Nourizadeh | Teacher

Elnaz Nourizadeh is an Iranian-Australian ceramist and visual artist practising functional ceramics, sculpting and installation art. Elnaz completed a Master of fine art at RMIT in 2020. Elnaz completed degrees in art and ceramics in Tehran. 

Elnaz started ceramics when she was 12 and followed a path into teaching when she was 23. She is interested in mindfulness and thoughtful ceramic practice.