Located in upstate New York just 8 miles from the resort city of Saratoga Springs, SCAC’s mission is to promote the ceramic arts, to provide a place for people to explore the medium of clay, hone and develop their skills, and create a community focused on collaboration with faculty, visiting clay artists, students and visitors.

Saratoga Clay Art Center's doors are open to individuals and artists of all ages, ethnicities, races, genders and incomes and we are committed to engaging everyone in creative expression and discovery through the making and exhibiting of ceramic art.

The 13,000 square foot facility is home to 30 clay artists who enjoy private and shared studio space, a large classroom, glaze room, kiln room and the Schacht Gallery, which features the breadth and depth of contemporary ceramics by local, regional, national and international clay artists. Our classes in wheel throwing and handbuilding run year round for adults and children of all levels, and we offer private lessons, parties and events. Weekend and week-long workshops feature mid-career and established clay artists from across the country and are held on a regular basis, attracting participants from as far away as Hawaii, California and Florida.

We offer classes with experienced and recognized teaching artists, private and shared studio spaces, workshops, artists in residence, gallery space, and the latest equipment and technology to satisfy your every desire for exploration in clay, including:

Jill Fishon-Kovachick
Executive Director

instagram: @jill_fishon _kovachick

Jill received her MFA in ceramics from Vermont College and her B.S. at Skidmore College with a concentration in ceramics. She spent seventeen years teaching for Special Programs at Skidmore College. Jill exhibits her work both locally and regionally and is the Founder and Director of Saratoga Clay Arts Center.

mark Tarabula
Studio MANAGER

instagram: @marktarabula

Mark Tarabula acquired his MFA in Ceramics at Edinboro University in Edinboro, PA. He received his BFA in Ceramics from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI. During the years in between his degrees, he was a resident artist in several places including The Ceramic Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Gallery-One in Ellensburg, Washington and with Justin Rothshank in Goshen, Indiana.  He was a SCAC 2020-22 Artist in Residence before coming on staff full time.

Leigh taylor mickelson
Artistic Director

instagram: @ltmick

Leigh Taylor Mickelson, a resident of Ossining, NY, is an artist and independent consultant with 23 years of experience in nonprofit arts management and program development. She has curated and organized dozens of ceramic exhibitions for galleries and organizations across the US. Since April 2019 she has been SCAC’s Artistic Director, managing communications, organizing our exhibitions and developing programs.

LYNDEE DEAL MARKETING & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

instagram: @lyndee.deal

Lyndee Deal is a ceramic artist from Dallas, TX. She received an MFA in Ceramics, from the University of North Texas (2019). Shortly after graduation she completed residencies in both Columbia, MO and at Saratoga Clay Arts Center (2021-22). Her ‘funk’tional work has been exhibited nationally and prompts questions of body positivity and body neutrality. She has also extensive experience with art-related content creation and marketing.

rebecca fox
2024-25 artist in residence

instagram: @rfox_art

Rebecca Mortimore Fox is a ceramic artist whose work explores sociopolitical topics. She creates both functional and sculptural art, with an attention to the various ways clay can be manipulated to achieve a tactile experience.  She received a bachelor's degree, as well as completing a Post Baccalaureate residency at Dickinson College. Rebecca is returning to New York after a year of working with an artist in Nottingham, UK. 

Christina Riccio
2024-25 artist in residence

instagram: @christinariccio

Christina Riccio is a ceramic artist from Buffalo, NY. She received a BA from SUNY Fredonia in 2014, a post baccalaureate in art education from Buffalo State College in 2019, and an MFA from the University of Utah in 2022. She creates both sculptural and functional pieces incorporating themes of maximalism and childlike wonder. These pieces utilize bright colors, pattern making, and sgraffito to create a sense of whimsy, fun, and play around her work.

julianna dougherty
2024-25 artist in residence

instagram: @juliannadoughertyart

Julianna Dougherty is a ceramic artist from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, who earned her BFA from Alfred University. Her work combines 3D modeling and printing with traditional ceramic techniques, using Lutum clay printers to create multi-color, geometric forms. Dougherty’s practice involves integrating pre-printed interlocking elements into her designs, focusing on symmetry and material interplay. Her ongoing exploration of these techniques continues to push the boundaries of ceramic art.

jess levin
2024-25 Artist In ResidenCE

instagram: @jesseramics

Jess Levin is a New York based ceramic sculpture artist. They received a BFA in Sculpture in 2022 from SUNY Purchase in Westchester, NY. They often juxtapose the cold and harsh nature ceramics typically carries with the soft and friendly connotation of found fibers, including lace and collaged fabrics. The playful and cartoonish characters they create bring to life a narrative of self-exploration and expression.