Dan Collins took his first ceramics class in 1973 and the passion and teachings of his high school ceramics teacher inspired a lifelong exploration of ceramic art. In 2010 Dan began actively sharing his collection of work with the community of San Diego and Los Angeles, selling his work at farmers' markets and art fairs. In 2013, after years of working in university ceramics studios, Dan, and his daughter Juliana, together built a small ceramics studio in the backyard of his and his wife's Carlsbad home. In this studio, he continues exploring wheel-thrown and hand-building techniques, utilizing earthy clay blends and experimenting with rustic textures of the the natural world. Like the coastline that Dan has lived and been inspired by all his life, the surface textures of his pieces range from glassy to rough, glaze colors flow from the white of sea foam to the mossy greens of tide pools, and shapes vary from free form to disciplined. Dan's ceramic art is designed to reflect the swirling randomness of nature, pleasant to touch and visually contemplative.

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Dan shares the journey of this visual expression through clay with his daughter, Juliana who has already worked with ceramics for 19 years. Her work has earned her multiple awards including Loyola Marymount University's 2014 “Scholar of Distinction” for Ceramics, Honorable Mentions in both the 28th and 30th Laband Art Annual Juried Student Exhibition, and several blue ribbons at the San Diego County Fair.

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Together Dan and Juliana seek to involve you in their love of ceramics. They pride themselves in having no two perfectly identical pieces. Like people each vessel is unique, with individuality and character. Also, on the practical side of ceramics, glazes used in Dan's studio are food service safe.

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Dan looks forward to continuing to provide the residents and visitors of San Diego with one-of-a-kind, ceramic art each week.

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From kiln to table.