Tessa Hall
Owner/Operator
Tessa is a wife and mother of five (yes 5!) kids and has been married 20 years to the love her life, Chris. She spent most of her adult career in advertising and marketing. From a start up that became Google’s largest international advertising partner, to marketing leadership of a 250-franchise organization. As a life-long creative, art has always been part of Tessa’s life. As an adult, Tessa experienced ceramics for the first time and noticed a physiological change in her body and a calm in her mind and immediately knew this was something special that everyone needed to experience.
The ClayGround was her brainchild and was built from the ground up. She took a leap of faith, left “Corporate America” and dove head first on passion and prayers. Three locations later, Tessa admits the jump was scary but she would do it all over again.
You’ll find Tessa floating through all three studio locations, serving in the community and willing to talk about the importance of creativity for mental health in today’s unpredictable world.
In addition to ceramics, Tessa is also an oil painter and encaustic artists. Learn more about her personal artwork here: TIKTOK , INSTAGRAM
The ClayGround was her brainchild and was built from the ground up. She took a leap of faith, left “Corporate America” and dove head first on passion and prayers. Three locations later, Tessa admits the jump was scary but she would do it all over again.
You’ll find Tessa floating through all three studio locations, serving in the community and willing to talk about the importance of creativity for mental health in today’s unpredictable world.
In addition to ceramics, Tessa is also an oil painter and encaustic artists. Learn more about her personal artwork here: TIKTOK , INSTAGRAM
Naomi Hannis
Director of Operations
Naomi has a twisting, turning set of skills that has wandered all over the creative map but art has been a constant throughout her experiences. Naomi has a B.A. from Arizona State and is an award-winning photographer. Like most artists, curiosity and creativity go together. Once she touched clay for the first time, she was a moth to a flame. Naomi’s love of ceramics stands out in her work. From functional pieces to whimsical fine art with a “mother Earth” vibe, Naomi’s heart, both love and pain, show clearly in her work.
When not working, she is researching, practicing, experimenting and generally doing anything that keeps clay under her fingernails! She’s even been known to weld! She is the epitome of a woman that says “hold my beer” and gets sh*t done! In addition to her art, she’s also dedicated to animals and will love every single one that crosses her path! Don’t mistake her kindness for weakness though, she is an accomplished boxer and no stranger to the ring! In true Capricorn form, she is serious about everything! Even having fun.
Follow Naomi’s art here: INSTAGRAM
When not working, she is researching, practicing, experimenting and generally doing anything that keeps clay under her fingernails! She’s even been known to weld! She is the epitome of a woman that says “hold my beer” and gets sh*t done! In addition to her art, she’s also dedicated to animals and will love every single one that crosses her path! Don’t mistake her kindness for weakness though, she is an accomplished boxer and no stranger to the ring! In true Capricorn form, she is serious about everything! Even having fun.
Follow Naomi’s art here: INSTAGRAM
Jay Polke
Kiln Manager
Jay is a lifelong natural creative. Their art is primarily focused on pottery and crocheting. Jay was once a frequent customer at The ClayGround and was finally asked to join the payroll and has since become a beloved fixture at the studio by customers. Jay's love of ceramics really comes from an innate creativity and you'll find their pieces tend to be functional and "earthy" in color or design. In Jay's work you'll find designed or sculpted bugs, moss, and fungi that spark a little joy and admiration.
Special note: Jay can also crochet pretty much anything; someone just has to request it. At The ClayGround, you'll find Jay and Tessa consistently debating (putting it kindly) what music is better, 80's or 90's. Feel free to join in that fight, but good luck!
Follow Jay’s Art here: FACEBOOK
Special note: Jay can also crochet pretty much anything; someone just has to request it. At The ClayGround, you'll find Jay and Tessa consistently debating (putting it kindly) what music is better, 80's or 90's. Feel free to join in that fight, but good luck!
Follow Jay’s Art here: FACEBOOK
Megan Acosta
Merchandising & Social Media Manager
No, we didn't make a mistake, that is NOT Tessa but she sure looks a lot like her, right? Well, Megan is, in fact, Tessa's daughter. After finishing college at LA Tech with a degree in Merchandising & Marketing, Megan returned home to Shreveport and has recently married her high-school sweetheart.
Megan supports The ClayGround in merchandising the beautiful curated seasonal shelves you see at our Linwood location and is a well-known customer favorite. Her natural nurturing personality earned her the nickname "Mother Megan", in daycare at the ripe age of two where she comforted other crying toddlers during drop-off. You'll find Megan greeting customers by name, capturing photos and videos for social media, event planning and generally being amazing.
Megan supports The ClayGround in merchandising the beautiful curated seasonal shelves you see at our Linwood location and is a well-known customer favorite. Her natural nurturing personality earned her the nickname "Mother Megan", in daycare at the ripe age of two where she comforted other crying toddlers during drop-off. You'll find Megan greeting customers by name, capturing photos and videos for social media, event planning and generally being amazing.
Carrie Hannis
Team Lead & Training Manager
Carrie is the "Team Mom" at The ClayGround. She is a full-time advertising professional rockstar during the week but sees working weekends at the studio as her "fellowship". To know her is to love her. Carrie's passion is being a mom to Naomi. Yes! Another mother-daughter duo at The ClayGround. She has four grand dogs and she spends her free time with her family, reading and hiking. When Carrie laughs, it's pure joy. When she speaks, it's honest. She is a treasure to our ClayGround family.
